The Hawaiian gazette., 1906-05-04

ern Pacific delayed train last night,
says the Portland Oregonian Of April
20. The four who were lucky enough
20 escape the horrible scenes that fol-
lowed the great earthquake told
enough Of the disaster after the first
shocks 10 turn one 20 horror.
Henry Hahn, manager of Wadhams q
Co., occupied room on the second
floor Of the Palace. He was awakened
by the first shock and found himself
covered with plaster and broken glass,
but escaped without scratch.
81 will never forget that horrible
grating sound when the building
swayed and rocked like a tall tree in a
storm. II was something awful, and !
can hear il yet. ] was awakened by the
first shock, and Immediately the plaster
began to fall. The bureau and bed
were shifted almost TO the middle of
the room, and while ] did not seem TO
realize that ] was in great danger, ]
got out Of the room when the second,
third and fourth shocks followed, al
though they were less severe. Every.
thing was excitement in the corridors,
and the darkness made it difficult to
find tho exits.
"Tbe damage in the building, how
ever, WAS nothing compared with the
scenes that met our eyes upon reaching
Ha az IaaHa ~ Iriply IA nd
timbers were strcwn about to the mid
die Of the payements, and IL was impos-
sible TO get away except by taking the
middle OF the streets. The fremen re-
onL,d promptly and were in the
midst Of the business district almost
M quickly as we got out Of the hotel,
but IL soon became apparent that they
were helpless, the watcr.mains having
burst from the sway Of the ground. in
some places the streets had sunk to a
depth of foot or more. Some water
was pumped from the bay, but it avail
ell nothing against the many fires that
were springiDg up everywhere. am
certain that within half an hour 20 Of
tho fallen structures were ablaze and
that was only 80 far ~ ] could see.
THE STEEL STRUCTURES
STOOD THE STRAIN.
~ saw only two bodies; one was ly-
ing on the sidewalk and another under
timbers in fallen building. Many
MANNED and crippled were rushing
about the streets, apparently dazed and
not knowing in which direction to seek
relief.
"Tbe most salient features have been
told, but one thing proved was that the
modern steel structures stood the strain
well, and ] do not believe the result
would have been SO terrible had it not
been for the large number Of small and
old structures in the business district
They could not Withstand the terrible
rocking and fell like so many card
houseg. The immense Monadnock build.
ing WAS rent in two from top to bot
tom, but IL remained standing.
~ do not believe that the loss Of life
will be 30 great ~ has been estimated,
although they may have found many
pinioned unucr the debris after the
flames got In their work. There were
any number of dead horses on the
streets when we tried to reach the
ferry. They belonged TO hawkers, who
arc out early in the mornings, and they
HHu DtfH fIHHH'l Wy hH' ~ N'''''''7
walls. What became Of their owners
do not know, but ! suppose they saw
tho danger and escaped.
"Wo had nm awful time getting TO
the ferry. The streets were soon block
AIDED and the only way to reach Wash
ington.strcct pier WAS by taking err
cuitous route. I crossed on the hrst
boat, and the rush was not as frantic
an later on.
"With no water at hand II soon be-
came apparent that the firemen were
incapable Of checking the fire and they
resorted 10 dynamite while we were
Whiting for the departure Of the ferry
boat. Tho situation looked very
gloomy, aud ] began TO realize that
San Francisco's great commercIol dls'
trict waHIlO0med.
AWAKENED by THE
CRASH or GLASS.
II, X, Dent travelling man from
Seattle, formerly OF Portland one for-
tunate enough TO get out Of San Fran
cisco, occupied room IN the now de-
stroyed Palace Hotel, lie said last
night, II was awakened from soUnd
sleep by the most terrific shock mat
could be imagined, Plaster from the
ceiling fell like rain and II seemed AZ
II The entire building would collapse
oh, the entire scene beggars deserp'
ton" he continued.
"PeOple rushed down 10 tho great
corridor below, some Hoanlily attired'
some In pajamaa and others even not
that well clothed IN the lobby every
ming was confusion. Women ana ohllT
dren, who carried wearing apparel IN
ihalr arms. commenced % ololhe them
selves, bul hardly any attention was
paid ~ any ~ them u looked IKE
everyone flr himself, Afier lhe irsi
few minutes everyone WAS apparently
aware ~ what had happened ana tho
Widest confusion followed,
nAmOng lhn hundreds ihai were
guarered in lhe Palace Hotel were
members ~ mo r0nlpld Opera r0mr
pany an ~ whom seemed m0re panic
slrleken ihan others could MOI pnr
aeraland eNaply Nhal Was said 40
lhny gppke in French hm " Hesllpnls-
Hans epull Fpeak ! pplll come prelly
ufuI uufbsluK pNfIg NuId llul uaHApn