The Washington times., 1906-04-27
TELLS HOW FIRE
ROUTED HUNDREDS
A. III. Powers Letter Gives
Graphic Picture.
OF FLIGHT OF FAMILIES
Washingtonian, Who Was Visiting in
Frisco at Time of Earthquake,
Describes Disaster.

A. II Powers, a Californian, father Of
Mrs. c. +. GrImsky. Of this city. was
at the time Of the earthquake visiting
in San Francisco at the home Of his son.
Frank H. Powers. on Pacific Heights.
The younger Mr. Powers. with his wife,
was out Of town. and his sister. Miss
Jennie. and his father We're in charge
of the household and young children.
Their experiences are related I'm the fol-
lowing letter:
san Francisco. April IS, 1906
MY Dear Daughter.
1T is now $40 p. IN. At SIS a m the
earth began to shake I happened TO be
wide awake and felt my bed move. and
instantly the whole house shook viO-
lently, IL seemed 70 me, for ten minutes.
1t was long enough for the crashing OF
buildings on the outside 20 eb heard.
Jennie came rushing to my rooms 10
know what to do. and was the house
falling on usg-and about this time the
trembling was over.
Nurse Was Praying.
THE house girl was with Dorcas
Jane. four years. and Polly. sixteen
months. ! rushed 10 their room and
found the nurse just rising from her
prayers size had committed herself 10
God, and was getting the children ready
TO leave the house 1t being my first
experience with what might be called a
hrst~Class -trembleT.' I had not thought
OF leaving the house. but on and after
VIII consider 1t my duty TO get on the
street In double quick time.
''Stin, from what is to be seen by
me while writing this, perhaps il is for
tunate We remained IN the house. Every
house in this block has lost it's chin
neys- The one directly opposite. fell into
the street, and some Of the debris came
TO our doorstep, and from all I can learn
we were very fortunate. indeed. for had
we rushed out. we would have been Just
in time TO have been covered up or kill
ed py the falling chimney. Our actual
darage Is not worth mentioning. but
our condition Is lamentable
The city south OF Market and east Of
Montgomery is II flames. and no water
To work with Tliey are using dynamite
to blow UP buildings; not street car
running, or phone 10 use. Jennie has
just come TO know what we shall do
the fire IS gradually coming our WAY
and We ought To plan ahead what course
we shall pursue Only think in the
twlnhing OF an eve. we were IN a per
fectly helpless condition Jennie tried 20
get rig for me 10 go around to see
for myself but not one could be found
not a messenger boy nor soul 10 do for
you one thing!
Confused Scene.
Looking into the street-autos scud-
ding around a few wagons with eroc-
cries. milk wagons, women in earnest
conversation. men with wife and babies
getting away from down towu-al are
excited and worried
My answer TO Jennie was that / did
not think that the fire would reach here
but # il did we should have TO get some
blankets together, 20 out TO the Preside
and camp. She IS good deal worried
! about the children. and I expect about
me, 700. However. i don't think we
shaII nave 70 camp. although the smoke
from the burning buildings is coming
nearer all the time as a reminder
April IL. S-45 a. m--After finishing my
] letter yesterday we had a few mild
I snakes. but none serious. The fire is
awful TO contemplate. San Francisco is
ruined a Ia Chicago.
( One hour later-HaVe been on the
/ street. conditions are growing worse,
/ the business portion entirely consumed.
ana the nre well on the way TO our
/ mouse The burning buildings gave us
/ all The light we needed; dynamite all
I night; the same today. Jennie is trying
/ 10 ind conveyance for the nurse and
/ baDleS- She VIII take them TO Ala
media The FIRE viii be on US tomorrow
/ at the farthest. unless they can stop il.
Excitement Growing.
-'As yet no water: all is excitement
/ and growing worse. soldiers watching
/ that fires are not built IN any dwellings
| Men. women, and children are making
/
I carrying something The sight Is mel
| ancholy in the extreme. If we can sue
/ Ceed in getting the infants away we
| shall be satisfied Jennie and I can get
/ along The situation is really wonder
/ ful: not paper. street car, phone. cleo
( tricity. gas. water, nor anyone 10 help
I you IN the least
/ and the nurse, loaded on an express
! wagon. are on their way TO the ferry
/ The children as happy as can be. the
I ~ aNn w-fsran
| much relieved il they can only get
/ to the ferry safe and sound. and If
upon arriving in Alameda, that city
! is in condition 10 take strangers forced
/ upon themi
1--WE have been expecting Aaron "a
/ scn), but have not seen him. His Office
in the city hall is gone; his business
/ on Montgomery street is no more
| Franks Office, with his law library
J We understand, is gone. The pioneer
/ buildings have all been burned: every
| thing in which l have any interest
seems gone. But there is no room fol
me to complain. as l only have TO looh
| out of the window facing me 10 see
men. women. and children looking tol
| a place to lay their weary bodies; ntty
people in this block; several women sit
| ting on the curbsJOne; several with thei
| heads close together. talking very earn
estly; others watching the smoke as Il
curis -up from the southern part OF th'
Fires Move On.
'"The fire is this side Of Van Ness
and Golden Gate avenues. and is eat
ing its way toward this part OF town
Both Jennie and l feel that the fir'
will be controlled before il reaches US
| Our near neighbOrs think that we viii
have to vacate tonight and let TIT
| flames feast on this house and con
tents Our own belongings are at g
Castro street, and whether they ar
safe or have been burned NE don
| know .
Il have just looked up from my writ
ing and see five ladies' and one gentle
man coming down the steep hill aboV
us in couples. each couple having
| roia between them loaded down Wit
| their belongings. They are all nicel
dressed and look the better class o
people seeking safe place from IN
| fire.
II go on the street quite often an
talk with them We are all introduce
to one another-trouble INTRODUCES u