davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-19
TESTIMONIAL TO STRENGTH
 OF THE STEEL STRUCTURES.

Today's experience has been testimon- ial to the modern steel building A score of these structures were in course of erection and not one of these suffered The completed modern buildings were also immune from harm by earthquake The buildings that collapsed were all flmsy wooden and old-fashioned brick struc- tures The damage by earthquake does not begin to compare with the loss by fre.s
 The heart of the business section of San Francisco has been destroyed by fire.
 Fire has done the greatest damage. An area of eight square miles of thickly cov- cred ground has been burned over, and there is no telling when the fire will be under control.
 Mayor Schmitz was about early and took measures for the relief and protection of the city. General Funston was quickly communicated with and by o'clock 1000 federal soldiers were guarding the streets and assisting the fire in dynamiting build inRs
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-19
WHOLE IVA TTON IS STA GGERED BY
 A WFULNESS OF WESTERN DZSA STER
MORE EARTHQUAKES
 DURING AFTERNOON
Southern Pacific Advices Before Wires We're Lost Indicated that Entire
 City Was Doomed.

Los Angeles, April 1S.-Offieial informa- ton given at the office of the superinten- dent of the Southern Pacific Railway company this evening states that dis patch was received at that office from San Francisco, dated 2:45 D. m., which was transmitted on a crossed wire, and was to the effect that additional earth quakes were experienced there this after noon, and that terrific damage has been done. Buildings are burning in all parts of the city, and the prospects at the hour the message was sent were that the city would be almost totally destroyed. United States troops at the ferry prevent ed every one from going aboard the ferry boats and leaving the city. A Western Union report from similar sources, which was intercepted at Berkley late this even ing. was of the same effect
 A dispatch was received from E. H. Hartman, president of the Southern Pacific, by Superintendent Ingram in this city this afternoon, ordering officials to get direct wire to San Francisco at all hazards, and to get reliable information at any cost.
 MT. Ingram replied to MT. Harrimon, telling him that the situation was worse this afternoon than this morning and the prospects of communication by wire with San Francisco was practically out of the question. He informed MT. Harri- man that an engine. carrying reports from San Francisco and describing the situ- tion there, had been dispatched for. the south and had been given the right of way over all other trains. It Is expected to reach Los Angeles some time tonight.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-19
SCIENTISTS DESCRIBES
 DURATION OF SHOCKS.

.The earthquake came from north to south, and the only description I am able to give of it's effect to me is that 1t seems like a terrier shaking rat. I was in bed but was awakened at the first shock. I began to count the seconds as I went toward the table where my watch was, being able. through much practice to closely approximate the time in that manner The shock came at 5:12 O clock, the first sixty seconds being the most severe. From that time on it decreased gradually for about thirty sec onds There was then the slightest per ceptible full, then the shock continued for sixty seconds longer, being slighter in degree in this minute than in any part of the preceding minute and a half. There were two very slight shocks which I did not time. At 5:14 o'clock l recorded shock of five seconds duration, and one at 515 of two seconds There were slight shocks which did not record at 517, and 5:27. At $50 p. m., there was a sharp shock of five seconds.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-19
DAMAGE BELIEVED TO REACH s20o,0o0,00

The damage is now believed to have reached s200 000, GOO. and 50,00O people are thought to be homeless.
 as far as ever from checking the progress of the flames. In the northern section of the downtown business section the fire swept around the Hall of Justice and communicated to Chinatown, thence pro- ceeding westward into the heart of that colony. It then began rapidly eating it's way southward on both sides of Kearney street, and at s p. m. was within block of the California hotel. This point Is in the direct vicinity of the plant of the Bulletin, an evening publication, in which the three morning papers had agreed to join issue for a four-sheet paper tomor- row, but that plan was abandoned, as the Bulletin lies directly in the path of world-famous Palace hotel. built at a cost of millions fell prey to the confiagra- tion and the Crocker building, across the street. began emitting smone.
 One of the big losses of the day was the destruction of St. Ignatius church and college at vanness avenue and Hayes street. This was the greatest Jesuit edu- cational institution in the west, and was built at a cost of a couple of millions.
 At : o'clock tonight the fire had swept from the south side of the town across Market street into the distrct called
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-19
TALL STEEL BUILDINGS
 STAND STRAIN WELL.

The tall steel frame structures stood the strain better than brick buildings, few of them being badly damaged The big eleven-story Monadnoek office build ing in course of erection, adjoining the Palace hotel, was an exception, how ever. It's rear walls collapslng, and many cracks being made across its front. Some of the docks and freight sheds along the water front slid into the bay. Deep fis- sures opened in the filled in ground near the shore and the Union ferry depot was irreparaby injured It's high tower still stands, but will have to be torn down.
 A portion of the new city hall, which cost more than s7,0OO GOO, collapsed. the roof sliding Into the courtyard and the smaller towers tumbling down with the great dome being moved but not falling.
 The postoffice. one of the finest in the United States was badly shattered
 The Valencia hotel four-story wood en building. sank into the basement. a pile of spllntered timbers, under which were pinned many dead and dying occu- pants of the house. The basement was full of water and some of the helpless victims were drowned.
 Scarcely had the earth ceased to shake when fires broke out simultaneously in many places. The fire department re- sponded promtly to the first calls for aid but 1t was found that the water mains had been rendered useless by the under ground movement Famed by a light breeze the flames quickly spread and soon many blocks were seen to be doomed Then dynamiting was resorted to and the sound of frequent explosions added to the terror of the people
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-19
HOTEL GUESTS ESCAPE IN NIGHT CLOTHING.

The Palace hotel. the rear of which was constantly threatened. was the scene of much excitement. the guests leaving in haste, many with the clothing they wore.
 Finding that the hotel being surrounded on
 immune, many returned and made ar rangements for the removal of their be- ..longjhgs, though little could be taken
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-19
Santa Rosa is Ruined.

Sacramento. April 1s.-Mr Stokes. super intendent of the Napa State hospital telephones the Governors office that an automobile arrived there with news that Santa Rosa is ruined and that between 200 and 300 people are killed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-19
ALL EFFORTS TO STAY
 THE FLAMES PROVE FUTILE.

All efforts to stay the fire, however. proved futile. The south side of Market street from Ninth to the bay was soon ablaze, the fire covering belt two blocks wide. On this, the main thorough fare of the city, are located many of the finest edifices in the city, including the Grant, Parrot, Flood, "Call," Exam iner'' and Monadnock buildings. the Pal ace and Grand hotels, and numerous wholesale houses.
 At the same time the commercial es- tablishments and banks north of Market street were burning. The burning dis trict In this section extended from San some to the water front and from Mar ket street to Bay. Fires alsofbroke out in the Mission and the entire city seemed to be in flames.
 The flames, famed by the rising breeze, swept down the main wholesale business streets to within 100 feet of the Union ferry depot, the high tower of which stood at dangerous angle. The big wholesale grocery establishment of We'll man, Pock c Co. was on fire from cellar to roof and the heat was so oppressive that passengers from the ferryboats were obliged to keep close to the waters edge in order to get past the burning struc- ture. It was impossible to reach the center of the city from the bay without skrting the shore for long distance, so as to get entirely around the burning dis trict. At about s o'clock the Southern Pacific officials refused to allow any more passengers from trans-bay points to land. and sent back those already on the boats. The ferry and train service of the Key route was entirely abandoned owing to damage done to the power house by the earthauake at Emeryville.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-19
ALL EFFORTS TO STOP FIRE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL.

All efforts to prevent the fire from reaching the Palace and Grand hotels were unsuccessful, and both were com pletely destroyed. together with all their contents.
 All of San Francisco's best play houses. including the Majestic. Columbia Or pheum and Grand Opera House. are a mass of ruins. The earthquake demolished
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-19
NEWSPAPER OFFICES
 ARE HEAVY SUFFERS.

The offices of the three morning papers the Chronicle, the Call and the Examiner are located within 100 feet of each other. The Chronicle. situated at the corner of Market and Kearny streets. Is ten story steel frame building, and is one of the finest buildings of its character put LID in San Francisco. The Spreckles building, in which were located the business offices of the Call. Is sixteen stories high and very narrow. The editorial rooms, composing room and press room are in a small three-story building imme- diately in the rear of the Spreckles build Ing.
 Just across Third street is the home Of the Examiner, seven stories high with a frontage of 100 feet on Market street.
 The postofflce is a fine grey stone structure, and has been completed Tor more than two years. It covers half a block on Mission street between Sixth and Seventh streets. The ground on which the building stands was of q swampy character, and some difficulty was expe- rienced in obtaining a solid foundation.
 The city hall. which was badly wreclod. is A mile and half from the water front. It was an imposing structure with dome 15o feet high. The building covers about three acres and cost more than s700o.0o0.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-19

night attire. They were met by showers of falling bricks. buildings. eornices and walls Many were instantly crushed to death. while others were dreadfully man gled. Those who remained indoors gen. erally escaped with their lives though scores were hit by detached plaster, pie lures and articles thrown to the floor by the shock. It Is believed that more or less loss was sustained by nearly every family in the city.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-19

Western Addition" and was burning houses at Golden Gate avenue and De- tavia. This result was reached after almost the entire southern district from Ninth street to the eastern water front had bean converted into a blackened factories, wholesale houses and many bus mess firms, in addition to thousands of homes
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-19
THOUSANDS IN PANIC
 ARE LEAVING CITY.

This evening the ferryboats resumed running from Oakland and tonight thous- Aiads of helpless and panic stricken peo- ple are leaving the city and are seeking Shelter in Oakland. and other suburban towns. The suffering and hardships beg gars description. Countless numbers of residents of the poor section of the city, ! including the Chinese. Japanese and Ital- ian quarters, have been rendered home less. and unless supplies and aid reach the city within twenty-four hours, starva- tion will add to the awful calamity.
 Nearly every famous landmark that has made San Francisco famous over the world, has been laid in ruins, or burned to the ground in the dire catastrophe. Never has the fate of a city been more dfsa strols
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-19
PROCLAMATION ISSUED
 BY MAYOR SCHMlTZ.

"A Proclamatlon-To the Citizens of San Francisco:
 '@fhe federal troops, which are now po- Icing a portion of the city, as we'll as the regular and special members of the police force, have been authorized by me to kill any persons whomsoever round engaged in footing the effects of any citizens or
 ~~---~------------------~
 (ContInued on Ninth Pagsl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-19
OVERWHELMED WITH MESSAGES TO FRIENDS Postal Notifies Patrons That They Cannot Be Delivered Because
 of Martial Law

New York, April 1S,--The last word re- ceived at the Postal Telegraph offices in this city from their building In San Fran cisco was at s:sO o'clock. It was from Electrician Swain there. who had at tempted to enter the building after it's abandonment. He reported that the au- thoritles were preparing to dynamite the buildings in the neighborhood He was ordered to leave. At o'clock Vice Presi- dent Bradley said at the offices here he did not know where the main force of operators were at that time The com paDy's cables are under market street and it was not regarded as likely they could be tapped nearer than at the Hut station near the Cliff House.
 The company was overwhelmed with messages for friends and relatives in the stricken city, but all had to be accepted only subject to indefinite delay. After the militia took charge of the city ad- vices were that it was impossible to de- liver messages in the city, even if they managed to get them in.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-19
DAMAGE EXTENDS
 TO OTHER CITIES
At Santa Rosa. the Loss By Fire Will Reach Million
 Dollars.

San Francisco, April 1S.--Reports from cities near San Francisco show the de struction was general Santa Rosa sixty miles north is in flames. and the damage is over one million dollars. The loss of life Is not known.
 At Napa many buildings were shattered and the loss will amount to Ss0o,OO0. No loss of life is reported.
 At Vallejo the damage was slight in comparison with that suffered in other cities. The loss will be about SlO,00O ---~~~--~~~~~--~-~~~---~- in these those who have lost all will be given food and shelter.
 Early in the morning the prisoners con fined in the city prison on the fifth floor of the hall of justice were transferred into the basement of the structure. Later they were removed to the Broadway jail and if necessity arises will be taken to the branch county jail on the Mission road.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-19
FLAMES CARRIED INTO
 RICHEST PART OF CITY.

The flames were kept confined to the south of Market street in the business section until about o'clock in the after noon, when the wind carried sheets of flame into the richest part of the city. sheltered famous people from all parts of the world, was burned clean Nothing ex- cept the gutted frame work of it's 1000 rooms now stands.
 Among the other notable buildings de- stroyed were the Grand opera house, on Mission street. where the Conreid Opera company opened up it's season Monday night. The members of the troupe are now at the St Francis hotel one of the few big hotels that are still standing. The Majestic theatre on Market and Eighth streets, was burned. the Columbia wrecked by the trembes, and the Central razed by the flames.
 The $2,00o0O0 Fairmont hotel Is still standing and suffered little damage. The Odd Fellows temple, on Market street; the St. Nicholas hotel and the Call and Examiner buildings and the Parrott build ing are gone while the big city hall caved completely in when the earthquake shook the city.
 Nearly every big factory building has been wiped out of existence and a com plete enumeration of them would look like a copy of the city directory. Many of the finest buildings in the city were leyelled to dust by terrific charges of dynamite in the hopeless effort to stay the horror Of fire. In this work many heroic work CTS. policemen and fremen, were maimed or killed outright.
 At 10 o'clock tonight the fire was un- abated and thousands of people are flee ing to the hills and clamoring for places on the ferryboats in the ferry building.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-19
WATER FRONT SWEPT CLEAN
 FOR THREE MILES.

For three miles along the water front buildings have been swept clean and to- night the blackened beams and great skeletons of factories and offices stand silhoutted against background of flame that is slowly spreading over the entire city. The whole commercial and office section of the city on the northside of Market street, from the ferry building to Tenth street has been consumed in the hell of flame, while hardly a build ing is standing in the district south of Market street. At o'clock. despite the heroci work of the firemen and the troops building, and blew up property valued at millions, the flames spread across Mar ket street to the north side. and swept up
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-19
EARTHQUAKE AND FIRE
 SPREAD RUIN AND
 TERROR THROUGH CITY
tcont,nued from First Paee.)

Los Angeles; Robert Westwick of Santa Barbara, and W. H. Masters of Portland, Ore
 The court house at Redwood City and other buildings collapsed. Menlo park. Burlingame and other fashionable subur- ban towns suffered. Santa Rosa, to the north, Napa, Vallejo and all towns around the bay were damaged. These reports, alarming as they were. created little in- terest in San Francisco, where the peo- pie were in frantic state. They did not stop to dress but rushed out into the streets in their night garments
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-19
FIRE CHIEF INJURED
 BY FALLING CHIMNEY.

The earthquake caused the partial wreckage of the California hotel on Bush and Kearney streets, and the falling chimney and cornlce of the hotel crashed through the firehouse adjoining. severely injuring Fire Chief Sullivan. so that he was unable to direct the work of fire fighting. He Is now in a hospital in the western addition in a precarious condi- ton.
 Despite this disheartening accident the entire fire department assisted by part of the Oakland department and many volun- teers from outside districts. did heroic service, many brave men losing their lives while performing the work of sue cor The earthquake, however, had broken most of the water mains and the men were without water to battle with the fire fiend. Whatever water was obtained to fight the flames in the harbor front and in the factory districts, was pumped from the bay.
 This compelled dynamiting as the only possible method of saving any of the city
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-19

on Montgomery street clear to Washing ton street. On Montgomery street are some of the richest banks and commercial houses in San Francisco. The Famous mills and the New Merchants Exchange, in which is situated the marine and stock exchanges are still standing but the Mu- tual Life building, and scores of bank and office buildings are on fire, while blocks of other houses are in the path of the flames. and nothing seems to be at hand to stay their progress. Block after block of banking houses are now masses of red hot iron and it will be months before the money that was housed in their valuable vaults can be reached.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-05-24

MRTAIs.-Tin advanced ic. Other metals
were steady, with the. trading duh In LoA.
lures. closing at eiss and Giss Respectively.
Copper there advanced S.. closing at gs5 50.
for spot and eS< los. for futures. Prices
ls.s7ho.; electrolytic. .is37tsd 10 o. Nc; cast.
ings, ls.256ls. re; lead. 5.e0dec.; spelter,
5.90d6c.; tin, Al. asa 42c.,
The market. for pig iron certificates was
dull and steady, Prices for regular as fol-
iSws; May, sIs soasie 90; June and July
slg;eodsl6,76 October, sie.2Sd&ie.5o 80.
ern. $3.50: refined Continent, 1910; South
American, tg.15. Pork was quiet, mess,
Si~6.a5d3l7. Tallow, Sc. Butter-Crcamery,
frsts. 1870, Eges-M est frsts. l7'sc,
Chicago. May 2s,-"Provisions were about
steady, with "A small trade. The weakness
In grain. influenced some scattered selling
Of the list and moderate offerings of lard
we're thought to be for foreign account,
Packers led In the buying Of ribs and lard,
which made a firm undertone."
Prices as follows.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-05-24
CHICAGO CLOSING QUOTATIONS..
MONEY AND EXCHANGE.

Money on cali, 3d4 per cent; last loan, "a
per cent; ruling rate, az per cent; time
money quoted at 4d4h per cent. for sixty to
4hmtH per cent. for Ave to six months and
S per cent. for seven and eight months. Com
merciai paper quoted at tAm5H per, cent.
for prime single names and bills receivable:
other names 5ad6 per cent.
Probably as a result OF the reduction in
the German bank rate the foreign exchange
market was weak eat the opening to-day,
this loss was, however. recovered in the
,.:ss for long bills And t.ssh fpr short.
A.s5l5dst $500, and cable transfers. 9 sSs5a
t4.S5!0. Francs were quoted at Spa less
81, sfot for : long and and 5 ~ % plus ios. for short;
for long and 0! ii-le. for short, Guilders
were quoted at 1910 for long and 1897 for
short.
-i Ic"es Discount: 'c ri ago iSrN ,p sesaHmM
Charleston--Banks. aging, par: selling, i.IOc
premium; Cipcinnati.soc premium. Mon
e EsalnssalGi" &c. 3afis sooana: b SeE 9 9GG' dis
count. 81. PauIN25o. premium. Minnespolis-
soc. premium. Louisville-aOc premium. st.
Jouis-4Sc. premium.
discount ~, open market for short and three
for money, closed at 800 and. for account at
es francs SIX oentimes: The private rate Of
don. rs francs 20 eentimes. Berlin advices
quote exchange on London 20 marks sou pfs.
The private rate OF discount is 35 per cent.
The Imperial Bank OF Germany to-day re-
duced its discount rate from 6 to ~ per cent.
New York Clearing House statement; *.
Sub-Tneasury debit balance, sS5e. 500.
Commercial price Of bar silver in New
York. CSC. Bar silver In London closed at
3osid; Mexican silver dollars were quoted
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-05-24
DIVIDEND DECLARATIONS.
Deliveries Of Inter.Ne,,

The governors Of the Stock Exchange
after receiving reports from the committee
on stock listing and the committee on IN
listed securities yesterday straighteoet
out the tapgle regarding the delivery Of
the new ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS securl-
ties. The decision Of the governors Is "a
Contracts when Issued for lnterbor.
be settled by delivery Of eaid securities n
Friday. May IS. on which day interes' N
the bonds will cease. The interest on sad
bonds to May rs amounts to SO. Is on each
$1,000 The securities OF said COMPANY
Will be quoted In the unlisted department
tomorrow Thursday and contracts when
issued will be stricken or"
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-05-24
THE OUTSIDE MARkET,

The outside market showed an increase
in activity In a number OF issues, which, how.
Chiceg go subway was a feature, moving Ia a
decidedly irregular way. At one time II
showed. u decline OF fully 3 points, but the
last quotation was somewhat above the low
est. Mackay common was only moderately
active. Its price movements were irregular
with a declining tendency. Standa I'd Oil
Manhattan Transit was active and Arm.
Nevada Consolidated was the feature Of the
cline on heavy BUSINESS. United, after con-
siderable irregulerity, closed about UNI
changed Tennessee was weak and most
stocks in the group showed fractional re-
ncsainna IhR clnaR Ma u hen Nr