The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-04-27
PitifuI Sturies Are Heard From
All Sides
The Refugee Camp in the Presidio is
the Most Thoroughly Systematized.
Many Tons of Fresh Fruit Distribu-
ted YeSterday-Precauti Taken, i'm
the Distribution of Clothing, 10 Pre-
vent Fraud-Cattle Being Rushed TO
the City.


Of the task which confronts the food
committee may be gained from the
fact that throughout the city rations
for 349.440 persons were distributed
yesterday. This is an average esti-
| mate. based on reports from a few of
the food depots. At one point yester-
| day provisions were given out to 672
station is neither one of the largest
nor one of the smallest, and so its re-
ports were used as a basis to strike
an average.
All Hour that was recovered in sacks
is exchanged at bakeries, pound for
pound, for bread. Almost all the bak-
cries in the burned region have open
ed and are selling bread at five cents
a loaf. There is no danger of a meat
famine.
Representatives of the Western
Company in South San Francisco, re-
ported to the relief committee this
morning that there are now in the
yards 1900 cattle, 5000 sheep and
500 hogs. More than 200 cattle are
killed and dressed daily, and sheep and
hogs are put under the knife as fast
as they arrive. The full quota of en-
ployees Is at work.
The Southern Pacific ordered all cat
tie cars to be rushed to San Francisco,
with precedence over passenger trains
Wholesale grabbing Of supplies by
some, while others are in want has
caused the military authorities to or
der new system in the distribution Of
food. Beginning tomorrow kitchens
and mess rooms will be established
where meats will be supplied to all
who apply, but no food will be given
out to be carried away.
In the distribution of clothing pre-.
cautions against fraud will be taken
by squads detailed to visit tents, or
each shelter, to list the occupants and
tabulate their wants. Orders will be
given out emitting the holders who
need clothing, bedding or other stores
to them.
Pitiful stories of suffering from ex-
posure, ignorance and helplessness are
flooding the relief committee from all
sides. Of the great refugee camps,
that in the Preside, which is under
government control, seems most thor
oughly systematized, and that in Col
den Gate park, most disorganized,
though it is rapidly assuming a habita-
BILE basis.
Many tons of fresh fruit were dis
trlbuted free. yesterday and today.
Bunches Of bananas and boxes Of
OAGAlSeS were given uflSpdT1USly the
people who f1Ockad from the tents
along the beach & 4 about Fort Ma
son.
San Francisco, Az .25.-An earth
quake shock this a. -ernoon topplod
over several tOttering walls, and crack
ed chimneys left standing by the severe
shock of last Wednesday and the fire
that followed, and killed one woman
in her home. The shock was not as
severe, but the partly wrecked condi-
tion of walls and chimneys resulted in
the upsetting of some masonry The
shock was barely perceptible in Oak
land and vicinity, and was not felt
far from San Francisco according to
reports received tonight
TOday's quake caused slight excite
ment of short duration among many
persons who have been wrought 10 Il
high state of excitement by the awful
happenings of the last week, but quiet
and assurance was soon restored.
This was a day of optimistic reports
from all sides.
conditions improving" was the
happy expression from those who have
charge of caring for their less fortun-
ate fellow townsmen during the last
few days.
In fact, now that the most important
duty will hereafter be performed by
the United States army, that of lis
tributing the food and supplies which
have been given lavishly, the citizens
Of San Francisco have turned their at
tention TO details of the reconstruc-
ton Of their business
There was resumption of business TO
an astonishing extent today, consid-
ering conditions, throughout the res
idential quarter. Retail stores were
instructed to reopen and the municipal
government has established a scale OF
prices for the most important commod-
tiles which is even below that exist
ing under normal conditions. Warn
ing was given retailers that any eff
fort on their part to charge exorbitant
prices would result in summary action
by the authorities
Street cars were promised for %
morrow and electric lights will be
turned on tomorrow evening The
work OF building and improving chin
neys Is proceeding rapidly, but it wilt