Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-04-19
CAME WITHOUT WARNING
People Became Panic-stricken and
Rushed Into the Streets.

People Became Panic-Stricken and
Rushed Into the Streets.
San Francisco, April 10 - The
dreadful earthquake shock came
without warning at precisely 5.13
in the morning, its motion apparently
being from east to west. At first the
upheaval of the earth was gradual, but
in few seconds it increased in in
tensity. Chimneys began to fall and
buildings to crack, lettering on their
foundations The people became
panic-stricken and rushed into the
streets, most Of them in their night at
tire. They were met by showers OF
falling buildings, bricks, cornices and
walls. Many were instantly crushed
to death, while others were dreadfully
mangled. Those who remained in
doors generally escaped with their
lives, though scores were hit by de-
tached plaster, pictures and articles
thrown to the floor by the shock. 1t
IS believed that more or less loss was
sustained by nearly every family in
the city. The tall steel frame struc-
lures stood the strain better than brick
buildings, few of them being badly
damaged. The big History Monadnock
Office building, in course of construc-
ton, adjoining the Palace hotel, was
an exception. however. Its rear wall
collapsed and many cracks were made
across its front. Some of the docks
and freight sheds along the water
slid into the bay. Deep assures opened
in the fflledin ground near the shore,
and the Union ferry depot was injured.
Its high tower still stands. but will
have to be torn down.
The new postofice, one of the finest
In the United States, was badly shat
tered.
The Valencia hotel. four-story
wooden building, sank into the base
ment, a pile of splintered timbers. I'M
der which were pinned many dead
and dying occupants of the house. The
basement was full Of water and some
of the helpless victims were drowned.
Fires Break Out.
Scarcely had the earth ceased to
shake when fires broke out simulta-
neously in many places. The fire de-
partment promptly responded to the
first calls for aid. but it was found
that the water mains had been rem
dered useless by the underground
movement Famed by a light breeze,
the flames quickly spread, and soon
many blocks were seen to be doomed.
Then dynamite was resorted to, and
the sound of frequent explosions added
to 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 to-
the bay, was soon ablaze, the fire Gov
ering belt two blocks wide.
At the same time the commercial
establishments and banks north of
Market street were burning. The burn
ing district in this section of the city
extended from Sansome street to the
water front and from Market street
to Broadway. Fires also broke out in
the Mission, and the entire city soon
seemed to be in flames.
The flames, famed by the rising
breeze, swept down the main streets
until within few hundred feet Of the
ferry depot, the high tower of which
stood at a dangerous angle. The big
wholesale grocery establishment Of
Wee1man, Peck & CO. was on fire from
cellar to ROOF, and the heat was so op-
pressive that passengers from the
ferry boats were obliged to keep close.
to the waters edge in order to get
past the burning structure. 1t was i'm
possible to reach the center of the city
from the bay without skirting the
shore for long distance so as to get
entirely around the burning district.
During the morning 1000 men from
the Presidio arrived down town to pa
troll the city streets. The 18th infantry.
1000 strong, arrived from Angel Island
q little later and went on patrol duty.
The soldiers have been ordered to
shoot down thieves caught in the act
of robbing the dead and to guard with
their lives the millions of dollars worth
of property which has been placed In
the streets that it may escape the raw
ages Of the flames.
Mayor Schmitz, who has established
his Office at police headquarters, has
named committee of safety, compris-
ing many prominent citizens.