Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1906-04-26
THE SAN FRANCISCO CATASTROPHE.

quake, which destroyed many hum
dreds of houses, was followed by a
terrible conhagration, and thousands
of dwellings and business houses were
burned. The earthquake caused fires
to break out in many places, and as
the water-mains had been broken up
there Was no water with which to
fight the flames. The fires continued
to rage until Saturday, when they
were finally gotten under control.
Scores of buildings were blown up
with dynamite and powder in the
hope that the flames could be stayed,
but this was not successful.
1t is said that about three-fourths
of the city was destroyed by the fire
aud the earthquake together. An
area of seven square miles, was burn
ed over-twenty times as large as the
space swept by the great Baltimore
fire. The financial and commercial
part of the city was practically wiped
out. Great wholesale houses, bank
ing institutions, hotels. sky -scrapers,
the splendid city hall and other pub
lie buildings were shattered by the
earthquake and Quilted by the flames
The retail shopping district, with mil
lions Of dollars worth of goods of ev-
ery description, was consumed. Mob
Hill, where were the splendid man
sions of the wealthy, was entirely
ruined, while whole streets of COM
Portable homes were made desolate
heaps of ashes. The abodes Of the
poor, the crowded tenements, and the
fimsy structures of Chinatown were
wiped from the face of the earth.
Fully 100000 persons, or half of
the population of the stricken city,
were rendered homeless. These I'm.
fortunates, many of whom lost homes,
household goods and every cent of
money and every bit of property that
they possessed, have been sheltered
in the few buildings that remain, in
the public places and camping In the
parks. There has, of course, been
the greatest distress and suffering,
and the scenes of horror have been
beyond description.
1t is not known definitely how
many persons lost their lives. Some
five hundred bodies have been take
from the ruins and buried, and it is
probable that there will be as many
more found. The money loss is plac-
ed at something like $300,000.O00 by
conservative estimates. The insur-
ance will reach probably half this
amount.
Eighty churches were destroyed by
the earthquake and the fire, including
some famous converts and missions and
churches that have been notable for
many years.
The Leland-Stanford University
suffered loss of about 100000 to
its splendid buildings.
As soon as the calamity became
known steps were taken to alleviate
the suffering people who were left
without home, food or raiment. The
government appropriated 81 100000
and caused vast stores of rations and
tents and blankets to be sent to those
in need. Private individuals and
city officials from all over the coun-
try began to hurry money, food and
clothing to San Francisco as fast as
steam could carry it. Millions Of
dollars have been given by the peo-
pie from every section, and contribu-
tons are still flowing in. Boston
quickly sent 100000, Pittsburg
100000, Washington City 500, 900,
Philadelphia. $4,000, and immense
sums are still being raised by these
and other cities. The Steel Trust
gave 100000, the Standard Oil Com
pany 100000, Andrew Carnegie
800 900, William Waldorf Astor
500, 900, W. X. Vanderbilt $25, 900.
the Canadian Government 100000
and similar generous gifts are be-
ing made by municipalities, compan'
les and individuals from all over the
United States and the world in gen.
eral.
The people are already taking
measures looking toward rebuilding,
and are becoming more hopeful each
day. The United States authorities
and the city and State governments
are working together to restore order
and clear up the situation, and every
effort is being made to relieve distress
and care for property that is lett.
Many persons have left the stricken
city, and thousands are carried east
ward each day by the railroads to