Devils Lake inter-ocean and Devils Lake free press. (Devils Lake, Ramsey County, N.D.) 1905-1909, 1906-05-11
WASHINGTON ID GOSSIP IS

Washington, May 5.--During all the
trying days Immediately following the
earthquake and fire. in San Francisco.
the brunt of moving troops and sup
plies and organizing systematic relief
camps for the stricken people about
the Golden Gate devolved upon two
men of the war department James
Franklin Bell, chief Of staff, and Char
les F. Humphrey, quartermaster gem
eral. When the news first reached
Washington Of the awful disaster. i'm
mediately these two men went to work
and SO prompt were they in responding
to the appeal for help that within
twelve hours troops and supplies were
on their way to the scenes of desola-
ton. Day and night these two men
worked. Humphrey, in his shirt
sleeves before high desk much like
that used by bookkeepers in big count
ing rooms, while General Bell, in a
room IN the second story Of the big
building, held hourly conferences with
the tl secretary OF war and the members
Of the staff looking to the speediesti
ana most efficient way of elieVing the
necessary needs OF the people. It
looked for all the world during those
Gays as II we were yoRce more In the
5throes of war. At night the war office.
was as brilliant as in the daytime.
Oft1cers hurried to and fro. The cease
less click Of telegraph instruments.tol
It's own story of what the war depart.
ment was doing for the succor of those
VINO had been reduced from affluence
to positive need. 81
IL can with truth be said that Briga-
der General Humphrey very largely
bore the brunt of the first few days Of
getting relief to the people Of Sal,
francisco and other California cities,
IN need OF assistance. His compre-
Shensite knowledge OF the location st
available troops and supplies stood
MS In large service during those try
ing times. Without reference to re-
ports his brain seemed to be an ency-l
selsopedia of needfu1 military tnforma-
Lion lion and he gave orders to half iS scn
ssStenographers as well as keeping tie
n ilsia. Of these departments everlast-s
5Ingly plugging away in order that
there should be no delay iii carrying
out the wishes of the president and the
secretary OF war. While Funston &
work was necessarily more speetae,1-
lar, because he was on the ground, the,
quiet, steady movement OF troops and
supplies into San Francisco by reason
of the ability of Bell and Humphrey
made Funston's achievements possible
Senator Hansbrough Of North Dako-
ia broke into reminiscent mood the
other day apronos Of the San Fran,
cisco earthquake. Hansbrougll was q
type stickern in the elden days',;
and In 1868 was setting tyne ON the
San Jose (Cal.l Patriot. The Patriot
building was a two-story wooden
structure. the eases, being in the sec
lEond story wv Iliie working at the
eases the building began to osciliate
| gently back and forth and the prints,
knew a quake was on them Instant
| W the printers broke for the street
and as Senator Hansbrough tells it the
sensation was nerVe-racking. He
started across the street when the
earth rose up at him, knocking him
down. fl 3'77's
Ar You have seen the waves OF the sea
rising and falling 81 said the North gDa-
kotan !; veil that is the way the earth
| was performing 3, j tried to- run. but
the smooth surface OF the street had
lilIocks iii 1t and down Il fell lit was
mot a time for al dignity ana craWled
ON my hands and knees tt, place &c
safety, in mortal fear that the build
sings would fall down and crush me.
IN al my life I never expe rienced slicI,
a sensation and the memory of that
I5day II as vivid as II II were but yester-
lSday, 2
4 That's all very wei replied Mi.
Cushman of Washington state. who
/ heard the recital Of the senator from