The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-04-25
SAN FRANCISCO IS DES0LATE.
Metropolis of the Pacific Coast Almost Entirely
Wiped Out BY Fire.
Food Supply Is Short and Homeless Thousands
Need Prompt Assistance.

SAN FRANCISCO, April l9.-San
Francisco tonight is the city desolate.
It seemed that the acme OF Its misery
was reached at dusk when flames burst
from all sides of the beautiful Hotel
Fairmont, the palace that above every
structure was apparently entrenched
against the attack Of thel'all'cousum.
ing fire. And surrounding that lofty
pinnacle OF flame, as far as the eyes
could see to the south, to.the east, and
far out to the west lay in heaps, char.
red and smoking, all that remained of
a prosperous city. The metropolis OF
the western slope was in ashes.
This has been another day OF an un'
even struggle Of man against uncon-
auerable nature. Acre after acre has
been ground into dust and ashes, des-
pite the heroic perseverance OF the fire.
men to limit the conaagration. To.
night there is hope that the worst
has been nearly reached, and that
when tomorrow dawns the end will
have come, but the hope is faint in.
deed.
All efforts to check the spreading OF
the flames at Van Ness avenue by
blowing up q mile of buildings on the
east side of Van Ness avenue proved
fruitless. The fire spread across the
broad thoroughfare and from present
indications. the entire western addt.
ton, which contains the homes of San
Francisco's million aires and people OF
the wealthier class, is now doomed.
The destruction of the western addi'
ton practically completes the work of
the ravaging flames and marks the de-
vastation of the entire city.
The flames have swept over ten miles
of the heart Of the city, and have de.
stroyed more than l30 city blocks.
Besides this, small fires are raging in
different parts Of the town. Added to
this awful condition of affairs comes
the word that q famine threatens the
inh abitants of the city. Nothing to
eat can be had except in the outlying
districts, and the bursting water mains
has cut off all supply of water.
The loss, as nearly as can be esti'
mated, passes the 5000. .0O0,0 mark.
The property loss is growing each
hour, and may reach $500. 900.
Early reports of the dead, which were
at frat thought to be grossly exager'
ated, now seem to be sadly short OF
the real facts. Many believe the roll
OF dead and injured will reach fully
10000 persons.
At % o'clock, under special mes
sage from President Roosevelt, the
city was placed under martial law.
Hundreds of troops patrolled the
streets and drove the crowds back,
while hundreds more were set at work
assisting the fire and police depart
ments. The strictest orders were is.
sued and in true military spirit the
soldiers obeyed.
During the afternoon three thieves
met their death by rifle bullets while
at work in the ruins. The curious
were driven back at the breasts OF the
horses that the cavalrymen rode and
all the crowds were forced from the
level districts to the hilly section.
The following appeal for aid ha'
been sent out by Mayor schmitz tt
Governor Pardee and shows the desti
tuition Of the people and the dire nee(
OF food and shelter:
"Seud all supplies of tents possible
to Golden Gate park. Have bakeries
in small towns bake all the bread the.
can. We want bedding, food and
tents
Famine is already presenting it.
hideous face. At best the city ueve
carried more than three days suppl.
OF provisions and food, and now will
the wholesale houses and warehouse
wiped out there is already shortag
of food, and prices this morning II
most instances were trebled ant
ono MI y,lad