The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-04-20
EARTHQUAKE AND FIRE.
San Francisco In Ruins-Hundred
Killed-Thousands Injured
Millions Of Dollars Damage
Shocks in Charleston.

San Francisco, April ,1S.-Earth-
quake and fire today have caused the
greatest calamity California has ever
known. In San Francisco alone it is
estimated that 1000 persons have per-
ished, while as many more are suffer-
ing from injuries. The entire business
portion Of the city is in ruins, and the
flames which, owing to the lack Of
water cannot be checked except by
the blowing up with dynamite OF
$1b;sssildings in..-ttl:z~ tl-z::. path, are still
sweeping through theNSity. It is ut
terly impossible at preseh$to estimate
the property loss, for the eASsnt Of the
conAagration cannot be told &atil the
fire has burned itself out. ThoSsands
of people are homeless and many Aare
huddled in parks and public squares
beside the household goods they were
able to save. The city is under mar
tial law, and all the downtown streets
are patrolled by cavalry and infantry.
Details of troops are also guarding
the banks. Most Of the principal
buildings have already been destroyed
and others are III imminent danger.
Over all the scene of desolation hangs
a dense pail Of smoke. .
Communication with outside towns
is almost entirely cut off, but the re-
port comes from Palo Alto that all
but one of the buildings of the Leland
Stamford, Jr. university have been
wrecked and that the splendid memo
rial church, one of the finest struc-
lures of it's kind in the world, is a
mass of ruins. One student is knows
to have lost his life. In Oakland five
persons were killed. San Jose and
Sacramento, Berkeley, Alameda and
" other places heard from suffered Sc
verely but report no loss Of life.,
The dreadful earthquake shock
came without warning at precisely at
5:13 o'clock this morning, its motion
apparently being from east to west
At first the upheaval Of the earth was
gradual, but in a few seconds it in
CREASED in intensity. Chimneys be-
gan to fall and buildings to crack
tottering on their foundations. The
people became panic-stricken and
rushed into the streets, most Of them
in their night attire. They were met
with showers of falling buildings
bricks, cornices and walls. Many were
instantly crushed to death, while 9th
ers were dreadfully mangled. Those
who remained indoors generally escap.
ed with their lives, though scores were
hit by detached plaster, pictures and
articles thrown to the floor by the
shock. It is believed that more OF
les loss was sustained by nearly ev-
cry family in the city.
- Fire Broke Out
Scarcely had the earth ceased tc
shake when fires broke out simultan-
eously in many places. The fire depart
ment promptly responded to the first
calls for aid, but it was found thai
the water mains had been rendered
bent. Famed by a light breeze, the
flames quickly spread and soon many
blocks were seen to bee doomed. The1
dynamite was resorted to and the
sound Of frequent explosions added 'tc
the terror Of the people. All efforts
to stay the progress Of the fire, how.
ever, proved futile. The south side OF
Market street from Ninth street tt
the bay was soon ablaze, the fire cover
ing a belt two block wide. On this
the main thoroughfare Of the city
are located many Of the finest edifce.
in the city, including the Grant, Par
rott, sFloode, (" Call, I" 6 Examiner,
and Monadnoc buildings, the Palac,
and Grand hotels and numerou.
y Wholesale houses. II q 5a5 81
At the same time the Commercial
establishments and banks North Q.