West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1906-05-17
THE CALAMITY At SAN
FRANCISCO, APRIL IL
Special Correspondence OF The Argus

Al the break of dawn on that fatefu
morning the sleeping populaee OF that mag
nihceut city OF san Francisco was aw Weakened
by tremendous shaking which seemed tC
increase in violence with each second
Men. women and children rushed panic
stricken into the niddle OF the streets from
their to,,ering and orumbling homes Man,
were buried beneath the ruins-how many
God alone knows. In one hotel on Seventh
Street two hundred persisted with the col
lapse OF the building. The 6rst great shake
continued undated for twenty.elght sec
onds, aud then a temporary pause Of ten
seconds; then as II the heavens aud earth
had united in their endeavors to destroy
mankind and his works. the earth began to
move In waves beneath our feet IL seemed
that we would be swallowed up and
dropped 10 the bowels OF the earth. Many
OF the buildings which had withstood the
FIRST great shock were so damaged that
they could not stand the second attack,
tnmbled to the ground. crushing out the
lives OF hundreds IL was an awful mo.
ment, Wives were separated from their
husbands; children from their parents:
mothers with babes at their breasts. seek.
Ing what protection they might 6nd-pro.
lection from harm and from the cold, for
none had on other than their night robes.
To add to the confusion. live electric wires
were down in the streets. and frantic
horses rushed madly through the panic.
stricken people. Water mains were
snapped In two and the water rushed in
rivers down the streets. in some places
nearly knee deep. Gas pipes were broken
and gas escaped In houses which had with.
stood the shake No fires could be built
Tor fear OF explosions. People were sfraid
10 go back into the wrecked houses For
intervals of fifteen minutes or more the
shakes continued, though not so severe as
the first At eight o'clock another severe
shock occurred though no great damage
was done. All stone and brick buildings
were already In ruins save those with steel
frames. At ten o'clock we were Mortified
to learn that a FIRE had broken out In the
heart OF the great city. and there was no
water for use in fighting IT, Soon mighty
blasts were heard, which shook the hills
for miles around. We knew them to be
blasts OF dynamite. blowing up blocks OF
buildings to check the FIRE. but OF no avail
By night the fire was beyond all control
and the city was doomed to total destruc.
ton by FIRE. Then began the long process.
sion OF refugees marching out toward the
parks, ocean beach. or any place aIordng
safety from certain destruction behind
them All night long they came in screech.
ing automobiles. drays. hacks. delivery
wagons scavenger wagons. and every ob.
taInahla hvgn.s,, A.
as they could carry.
Many thousands trudged along on foot
dragging their most valuable possessions
with them. II was a night fraught with
terrors. The more fortunate ones who had
escaped to the hills overlooking the city,
will never forget the vision which met their
eyes. That night great city, the pride OF
the Pacific, numbering 500 600 souls was
being wiped out OF existence. Property
valued at $500, ooo.oo was being destroyed
Saddest OF all. we knew that each moment
added TO lists OF dead. The roar Of the
flames was terrific. The constant blast OF
dynamite and frequent earthquakes added
TO the terror OF the situation. The night
seemed an age. At the dawn the FIRE was
raging with unabsted furry. and spreading
westward sweeping the palaces OF the mil.
lionare Rich and poor were for once on
the same social scale. All realized how
small is man and his works when IL pleases
Almighty God to show Ills power
The above was written for The ARGUS
by Virginia Parsons McCabe. a sister to
Capt. ]. w. Parsons OF Morgantown, and
aunt to Mrs. Slidell Brown and Miss
Fanny Parsons OF Klngwood She was born
and raised in Tucker county. this State.
but has resided in California many years.
We herewith give two letters to her broth
er also, which are very interesting
1903 HOWE ST.. OAKLAND, CAL
April az. 1905.
Your letter came to-day and II found
US still here. though we have had many
shakes since my last to you--one yesterday
az one o'clock. We have had lorty.two
shakes since April Isth-the FIRST one did
all the damage. Leslie has written to Sena.
tor Perkins, and IL will be speeding on It's
way to morrow. ! have heard from all the
family and they are all right. and there are
none that sustained any loss. do not be-
lleye any Of the Tucker county people have
been injured, unless IL was in Santa Rosa
You-know that town was DESTROYED by FIRE,
Elizabeth and Leslie left by way Of 1ngle
side and went to his fathers in Modesto. as
they were afraid they would get in 10 a Jam
with the baby, and the FIRE al that time was
not under control. Their home was saved.
The door settled so II would not lock. and
when they returned everything was Just
as they left a.
The morning OF the shake Leland came
out OF his room IN his night clothes. We
did not 20 down stairs, but stood IN the
hail with dazed look on our faces. lie
went In his room when the worst was over
and came out with his oyercoat on and
went down and out on the veranda. II was
a long overcoat. and he did look comical
with his bare legs. We all laugh at him
now. He said he could not 6nd his pants
until his fright was oyer-his hair was ris
ing up on his head Jim was cool as could
be he consoled me. Leland said. Il tell
you. gentlemen. ! was badly frightened. "
| went TO Frisco on the 75tb and walked
to Golden Gate Park. four miles and back
to Jefferson Square, TO help cousin Virginia
| Valentine get her trunk--it was sitting
where she left u. Two ladies' we're camped
there 10 tent and they had the trunk "a
sit on. The park is one living mass OF PEG
pie They al seem 20 be in good spirits.
saw many thousands who came 10 Oakland
from the burned district. and not a woman
In tears. One italian woman said. puttinl
her hand on her bosom II have not ha,
any milk for my baby since the shake Up.
An Irish woman was near and SAID. Here
give me the little darlint ! have enough
for two" So Italy began to draw the mill