Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-04-18

closed. The damage so far is rough ly estimated at $4O,000,000. The loss of life seems to be confined to the poorer districts. For the benefit of eastern people who have friends visit ing here 1t is safe to say that so far none of those is injured. A second earthquake lasting few seconds. took place at nine o'clock, western time, about half past twelve, eastern time. The Palace hotel has not yet caught fire but the fires are burning all around it and danger is threatcn- ing every minute.
 New York, April 1S-A report has reached here that a severe earthquake wrecked many buildings and caused loss of life in San Francisco this morning. The shock was felt at 5:13 San Francisco time. Following the wreckage of buildings numerous fire5 broke out. The Postal Telegraph of flee was wrecked and communication was lost at $50, New York time.
 There has been no telegraphic com- municatiOn with San Francisco for more than half an hour
 At about 9:40 the Postal Telegraph company bad communication with their San Francisco. office but lost the connection again almost immedin- tely. In the brief period that the wire was working the San Francisco office reported that number of build ings had collapsed and that the lead and injured were being taken from the ruins as rapidly as possible. At the time this message came through the principal danger wasAfrom tie fires, a number of which started and were making great hea1yay ow ing to lack of water. The, Western Union Telegraph office at Fresno says that It Is tue most severe shock ever known. They have no further de tails.
 The Postal Telegraph company has learned that the fire is eating it's way along Mnrket street. The water mains were burst by the earthquake SO that there is no means at hand for fight ing the confiagration. The electric lighting plant of the city has faiiel and gas mains are disrupted. The damage extends through the entire city. The Postal building was badly
 
 incapable of use.
 RAILROAD DROPS OUT OF SIGHT.
 A telegram from Sacramento tn the Western Union Telegraph com pany reports that three miles ofs rail- road sank out of sight as result of the earthquake between Suiuan and Benelea and all wires were taken with 1t. At Pleasanton several cars were burned on the main line blocking the trains.
 Up to the time of receiving this dispatch the Western Union had been unable to get into communication with San Francisco.
 At 10:40 o'clock this morning the Postal Telegraph company received the following telegram:
 At 5:13 this morning terrific earthquake shook San Francisco do- Ing particular damage fin the district east and south of Market street. orac- tically destroying six or eight blocks in the manufacturing and wholesale districts. The banking district was not seriously damaged although small damage has been done over the whole town. Many persons have been kiilcd md wounded and portion of the town is on fire. the water supply be- ing shut off. At this moment they arc dynamiting several of the buildings"
 The Associated Press office was also badly damaged.
 The Postal Telegraph company re- ceive1 information that the greatest damage from the earthquake was done 10 property in the following streets: Davis, Front. Battery. San eom. Montgomery. Kearney, Spear, Main. Beale and Fremont.
 The last earthquake that occurred In San Francisco was about the middle Df January. 1900. Several distinct shocks were felt early in the morning the vibration of buildings all over the city. The chief building af- fcrted was the St Nicholas hotel which was severely shaken. The walls col Iapsed in certain parts of the struc- lure. patrons were thrown out of their beds and furniture destroyed.
 In 1gOi there WAS severe seismic disturbance in Los Angeles whicl was felt throughout the city and for | ! radius Of several miles all around. 1 No actual damage was done but this was the most severe shock that has ] sver been felt in southern California. 1
 At two o'ciock this afternoon the l employees of the Postal Telegraph | had to fee from the only l wire they had in use. They went to i Oakland to open another connection I with the east. At the same hour inc ,eopIe in the Palace and Grand ho- l els werr forcesl to leave those bnIlsI- ngs as they were threatened by the ires thst surrounded them. The ml- | Itia are now In charge Of the situa- | ion
 WIRES DOwN-NEws SCARCE
 Chicago. April is-The telegraph 'ompanie< here are entireiy without wires fo San Francisco The Saers- ncnfo ofire of the Western Union re ,orfs a very heavy earthquake west -nr Angeles rcports having loet all Fir~s nf s.13 a. m
 Considerable dznsEs from fhe