The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1906-05-03
N. BARTON WHO WAS IN FRISCO EARTHQUAKE

Daugnler, MRS. y. l.. prescott.
Tells of His Narrow Escape in
the Terrible Calamity.
NJ. Barton and wife, who passed
through the terrible San Fran
cisco calamity, arrived in Minot
Sunday night and are guests at
the home OF G. l.. Prescott: Mr..
Barton. is Mrs. Prescott's father.
Mr.. Barton related his terrible
experiences to an Independent
reporter. He said:
II was awakened about flVe
O'Clock by the room weaving
back and forth. 1t seemed to tip
first one way and then another.
l was sleeping in the second story
of a wooden structure. There
was such a terrible roar that |
looked out expecting to see a
cyclone. But the air was as clear
as crystal and then it dawned
upon me that we were in the
midst of a terrible earthquake.
We lost no time in getting out OF
the house, and such a sight as
met our eyes. Buildings were
falling on every side. The wood
en- buildings were not damaged
so much by the earth quake, as
they were by the fire. In fact the
earthquake did not do near the
damage that the fire did. OF
course where there were brick
buildings near the wooden ones,
they would fall over and crash
the wooden structures. Some of
the highest buildings which had
the modern steel frame work,
were not damaged in the least
by the earthquake, but the fire
finished them.
| managed to pack a grip OF
our best things, and took my
trunk from the building before
the fire reached us. But the fire
was coming up on us fast and
we knew we had to get cut. ]
tried to get someone to take my
trunk to the ferry. | offered a
. man 500 to haul it seven miles.
but he wanted $50. ! did not
have the money to spaw,so had
.. to let the trunk burn with the ress
OF the things. When we left the
building we managed to gel
. some blankets from the room
and We used these to wrap our
selves in as we sat ON the side
walks. As the tire 'crawled upoI
, us, we were forced to move,away
from it, block at a time. i can
not say We suffered much. After
the earthquake, We went tc
several restaurants trying to gel
something to eat, tbut the fires
were all out and everyone was
excited, SO we could not gel
! much. We managed to get I
little mush and lpl TX. This was
. all that we had until the follow
ing day in the evening. We wer'
without water llntil the next day
in the afternoon. i guess the ex
element kept us from getting
. hungry or thirsty. We felt yer,
, weak however. j made up m,
! mind that ] would 60 to TIN
ferry while l mad strength, sc
started to walk. Wethad to pass
thru the burnt district and suct
a time as we had. Some placel
the streets We're so hot that w
|, had to run and getaeross the ho'
!, places quickly. / never saw suct
. a good natured crowd. People
who a few hours before were
worth their thousands were nov
! penniless, but they were glad t<
escape with their lives
1t was impossible to get an,
: money. A man who was worth
a million could NOT get a checl
cashed. When We got to Vanes.
! avenue, the widest and most
! fashionable avenue in the city
5 the tiremen and soldiers made {
stand and managed to stop tn
fire. Several of the 1ail]ionaires
fine residences were blown W
with dynamite
Mr.. Barton will remain in Mi
not few days visiting friend'
and relatives after which he vii
20 to Forest City, Ia., his oil
home.
Will Throw Base Bali Team.
Dave Thomas. the champion