Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1906-05-04
FRISCO RELIC
HUNTERS VICTIMS.
Many People in Middle West Pay Big
Prices for Bogus Arti-
cles.

JEFFERSON, Wis, April 30.-[Spe-
cial. Ernest e. Zeidlcr, who was in
San Francisco at the time Of the earth
quake, has returned to his home here
with interesting stories OF the survivors
who crowded the eastbound trains that
left the coast soon after the destruction.
Mr.. Zedler had almost been given up
for dead, when an unstamped piece OF
brown paper arrived through the mails
to tell his family of his safety.
That souvenir hunters are being vic
timiZed by the scores. and that survivors
of the disaster suffer in consequence is
the burden OF his story. He declares
paid in the aggregate a large sum of
money for bogus relics" of the great
disaster.
Great Aid Work Is Done.
''On our way back" he says, we were
met at every station by immense crowds
of people, who made us feel as il we
were a circus caravan. They ali had
prepared excellent meals and stored
great heaps of clothing to give us as We
were permitted to leave the Grains and
take part in huge dinners in some
church, school or public hall
OF course We were asked for souve-
Mrs from Frisco. 1t was not possible
to refuse under the circumstances. At
one station | took out bunch of coast"
matches to light cigar and every one
was taken from me by the curious hosts.
Relic Hunters Cheated.
Gas we got further east certain dis
reputable number of people who had
east, got in their dirty work. They
would go out when we stopped for re-
freshments and beg all sorts of things,
from bits Of lace to baby hoods. Then
they took matches, also charitably given,
and scorched these articles, and at the
high prices as relics of the disaster. This
sort of business soon showed its effect
On all of us, and suspicion increased as
we went along, reports of the frauds
preceding us.
eff there had not been so many buns
and hobos in San Francisco it would
have been better for all the survivors.
They Kindred us at every point by dis
obeying all rules of the soldiery !nd
common manners.
"On the way from the place I stopped
to the ferry we would be stopped by Il
soldier, ordered to dig or pile bricks for
five minutes and then allowed to pro-
coed, which experience was frequently
repeated.
Good Beds Were Deserted.
Hundreds upon hundreds of people
could have slept under good roofs sad
in houses that We're not damaged, if
they wanted to. But the army of peo-
pie in the open was daily augmented
through fear that another shock would
occur and bury them it they rested in
buildings. There was room to spare for
thousands and people were willing to
take care of them, but they would hard
1y listen to invita- tons.
II was glad, with many others, 10 Get
away so early. The soldiers We're Just
beginning to get busy with the survivors
in the effoEt 10 clear up the ruins, when
we got out.
Il would not be without that expert
ence for any sum, being fortunate
enough to escape harm and save every
thing I had. But they will never know
the number of dead, for Frisco's popula-
ton contained many transents.
Experience Worth the Cost.
'"The fire was awful, but grand. l will
never forget The Call building that stood
up like a huge torch, with flames shoot
ing high out from the top for days. The
city will be rebuilt, finer than before.
The experience alone has been worth the
money lost to that town."