Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-05-22
IN SAN FRANCISCO,
Experiences of Former Augusta Man in
the Earthquake.

Editors Kemnebec Journal
Among the many sufferers from the
San Francisco earthquake and fire was =
native of Augusta, who will lie well le-
mcnlbcrcd by many of Your citizens.
Charles +. Bailey. as Young man. was
Il clerk in the dry goods store of Fowler.
llamlin & Smith. Since leaving Augusta,
in the early COS, he has been in and out
of business. with varying experiences in
GLIDING wheat operations ana railroad
life and finally. for several years has
been the manager Of boarding hotel in
San Francisco. situated not far from the
SpTcckcl building. and the business sec
ton, and within the lines Of the confia-
grafton.
| have lately heard of his escape from,
the FIRE, and think an extract from hi,
account Of the fire may be of interest to
Your readers He writes from san Jose,
which place he reached after n hard
struggle. and where he has relatives:
Il have had no chance till now to write
YOU how the gerat shake Of April Is
nearly twisted my head off anu almost
made me think earth was no place for
me. The old Hughes House rocked
fearfully. l was in a rear room in the
fifth story, and really thought my time
had come The brick walls Of an ad-
joining building came down with a great
crash. Things in my room were thrown
around promiscuously. | sat up in my
bed. wondering if it would ever stop
Fire broke out near by. and the largo
rn"ming house across the street cam.
down with n crash. | thought best to
take n walk
Having a lot of coin 7 started to nut
it in the deposit Vault but on reaching
California ana Montgomery streets found
so many stores and buildings in flames
that I concluded to trudgc ont to Mr..
Sharps house near the Preside. about
three miles away 1t was a long walk
for me. and 4 heavy load
On the way back | stopped at the hons.
of Il friend and took lunch. and then
called on a former honsekeeper of minc
who was Keeping 4 boarding house on
i-caVenWorth St, and engaged rooms
and board, but that evening as tie fire
was travelling westward so fast, they
were afraid to stay in their house. 50 we
made late trip to Lafayette Square.
and in the morning we all pitched in ana
moved blankets, comforts. trunks. etc.
etc, by hand to tho aforesaid square. 1t
was moving day. Streets We're full of
people, rich and poor alike. all on the
move. If team could have been secured.
fifty dollars would have boon the price
There were ten Of us ana We made three
round tripS-at least I did. but The. others
could not get through the lines which
had been placed behind me I had a
heavy box of sundrics on my shoulder to
carry something over a half mile.
That afternoon. Thursday. the fire was
so We decided to go to I,obos
square. near Fort Mason. | camprd with
them Thursday and Friday nights. W.
mad comfortable qlartors-mado our own
camp. Many automobiles brought their
owners Things, what they could, and they
ramp"d on the Square. Camping out was
the correct thing to do.
On Saturday / got a transfer boat from
Fort Mason to Oakland, and Il train from
their to San Jose where [ am stavin =
with my niece and family
San Jose suffered greatly by TIC shake
mp. Only one block Of seven stores was
burned. Many buildings were DESTROYED.
and nearly all the chimncyS were broken
off where they pass through the roof.
Had the trcmblor Uhe Spanish term
Tor an earthquake shnck) hit rs Il couple
If hours later. the loss of life would have
been fearful
r. +. EATON. Boston. M1Ss.