The Hawaiian gazette., 1906-05-08

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still rose. crimson circle behind the
fire clouds as unencumbered with bum
die we overlook many refugees on their
way to friends or somewhere anywhere
out of the danger. The comparative
equanimity of the crowd was always
marvellous. A grim jocularity seemed
to prevail-a splendid determination to
make the best of it that speaks Won
ders for the new San Francisco. Those
dressed In silk, and they were many
shared uncomplainingly the discomforts
of those in cotton. The populance had
organized itself by acclaim into mu
tual aid society. Mysteries were few
-looting as yet uncommenced, and
when started soon to be stamped out
by the grim halt" of bullet. Every
square, park. unoccupied lot or sand
hill seemed black with people camped
out as best they could, some with a
sheet or comforter for shelter some
with none at ALL Soldiers were in
charge of property, and the famous
relief lines so soon to be a prominent
feature of the great earthquake and
fire were already found around
the relief depots where food was be-
ing distributed.
Towards the Mission the fire had
swung around in an effort to complete
its circle, and at Sixteenth and Mission
a wit !, in n y,
we arrived and waited vainly for our
wives to appear. After some hours of
anxiety we found them safe and sound
with our scanty belongings, having
bribed with the last of their cash a man
to take them farther from the danger
zone. Many there were who sought
days for their loved, ones, some seek
them yet and some seek vainly. The
death loss seems very low in the face
of the suddeness of the disaster and
the extent of its sway. Today only 27i
deaths are registered, though other es-
Inmates place the total loss at 1000. Bv
Friday morning fire relinquished reluc-
tant grasp on the city, but not before a
strenuous effort to completely destroy
1t. AT Twentieth and Mission vigorous
blowing up and battering down of
houses foiled the flames. while the width
of Dolores street saved the western
end of the southern district. The fire
had ragged up Van Ness avenue and
only unstinted use of dynamite, the
supply of which throughout the fire
was frequently temporarily exhausted
when most needed, saved the western
half of the northern side of Market.
a hot hol \
for as safeguard, caught the flames
that came up Van Ness, and the Mob
Hill residences were in a trap. Soon
they We're gutted and the residences of
the bonanza kings of California were
matters of memory. The Hopkins Art
Institute, the palatial Fairmount, the
luxurious flats and apartment houses
all things of the past Meantime
hundred thousand were encamped
shelterless, hungry on the Preside
slopes and in Golden Gate Park. The
wounded and sick had been transferred
from refuge to refuge as the fire swept
on its victorious career, and all energies
were bent on relief. Prompt support
came from the nation at large.
Congress with two millions heads a
list of eight millions subscribed. The
rich of San Francisco, who found them
selves still wealthy, gave freely of what
remained James Phelan, whose in
dividual losses figure in the millions.
contributed 100000 Immediately and
others followed suit. The city was not
paralyzed; citizen guard, volunteers of
all kinds aided the civil and military
fire eXtinguishers and hospital
corps. Clearing up commenced imme-
diately lull presented itself. Declara-
tions of confidence and revival of bust
ness We're universal and a hopeful tone
soon prevailed. Free transportation
was given by the railroads. thousands
of men worked to restore the water and
sewerage systems, the car systems re-
installed themselves and only await
civil permission TO carry passengers;
the post office. undsmayed, rallied and
We're delivering letters in fifty hours,
While an effective system of depots for
the supply of food was promptly or
ganized. There was wonderfully little
clash OF the combined authorities, the
city never being under strict martial
law, and looting was put On end to
by vigorous executions Some uufor-
tunate errors OF Judgment resulted in
half a dozen deaths at the hands of
unnerved by their authority
and the situation, aud in many eases
TOO young 20 have discretion. Thou
sands left the city for neighboring
towns, and. greatest blessing Of all
epidemics We're averted by the
vigorous efforts of the medical
men who volunteered their SER
Vices everywhere. After the fre was
quenched the worst feature 10 be COM
batted was the thousands who still re-
mained unsheltered. The weather was
not kind. saturday night II ralned and
again ON the succeeding days, ana the
fran protection many We're afforded
was sadly insufficient Pneumonia was