Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1906-05-01
THRILLING
EXPERIENCE
WHAT MRS. Il. A. HAMILTON
WENT THROUGH IN THE
EARTHQUAKE.

Su MOHtduet HUN Tue OOCueu ddLe Is
Mrs. H "A. Hamilton. now at Butte.
mother of Mrs. ]. G. Lewis, of this
city Mrs. Hamilton had a number Of
thrilling experiences following the
earthquake and fire as the following
from the Butte Miner will show:
with an experience which she will
never forget, Mrs. H. A. Hamilton
returned from st. Helena, Cal, yes.
terday. after having witnessed scenes
at Oakland filled with thrilling fea-
lures
Although at a distance of sixty
miles from San Francisco at the time
of the earthquake last Wednesday
morning, Mrs. Hamilton was thrown
distance of twelve feet by the force
OF the shock, which brought terror
to the hearts of the people Of ST. Hell.
ena.
Relating her experiences to the
Miner last night, Mrs. Hamilton said:
Shock at St. Helena.
." In order to take the train for Oak.
land on my way to Butte. | had risen
early, with the rest of the household,
and at the time the first shock was
felt we We're at breakfast At first
there was a rumbling sound. follow
ed quickly by a great shaking up,
which lasted for fully two minutes.
We all ran from the house at the first
a he
open air when the earth seemed to
rise and fall on all sides at once. None
of us could withstand the rocking
sensation, and the quakings came so
rapidly that we could not keep our
feet. With others of the family | was
thrown about as though made of rub
Der. was pitched a distance of about
twelve feet.
Earth Opened.
The earth seemed to open up as
though to swallow up the buildings,
and then the heavings subsidized. Great
assures were left in the streets and
open places. The following shocks,
which We're slight. but which came in
quick succession were preceded by low
rumblings, as though of thunder, but
all the alarming noises seemed to
come from below the surface of the
ground.
My friends tried to prevail upon
me to remain for another day, but I
was equally determined to leave the
dangerous district, and | boarded the
| train The progress was slow to San
Francisco. the train crawling along
like a snail. From the car windows
we could see great cracks in the earth
along the railroad tracks. and the trip
was made with fear and trembling.
On both sides of the track could be
seen where the earth had RACED build
ings and played havoc generally.
Scenes at Oakland.
I'VE reached Oakland but short
time before the Southern Pacific train
pulled out, but in that time. while
waiting in the depot. | saw sights
which | will remember for all time
People had s@armed into Oakland by
the ferries, and each boat was packed
with people standing. The whole city
of San Francisco seemed on fire. The
flames leaped into the air to enormous
heights, and it seemed as though there
was not one of the magnificfent build
ings standing.
"'Those who had fed from the burn.
ing city to Oakland presented sorry
, and pitiable sight. They came in all
sorts of garb. Some were clad as they
fed from their sleeping chambers, and
the faces of all were begrimed and
covered with SCOT and dust. and many
streaked with tears 1t was pande-
monium. There was not one person
in dozen who wore a hat, and many
of the women had covered their heads
with their skirts, if they wore any.
Many were barefooted, or wore one
! shoe, which they had grabbed in the
excitement.
Rescued Pet Cat.
lone woman, | remember, with
only skirt over her nightrObe. and
hattie IS, carried cat under her arm
The cat seemed to be contented not
withstanding the fact that dogs wert
plentiful in the multitude, and tn,
woman carefully guarded il as price
less possession. In her haste, to fee
from the scene of terror, she had has
lilly picked up one shoe which she wore
without stocking, and on the othel
foot she wore stocking and no shoe
Another woman, half clothed and Will
her hair streaming down her back
carried birdcage.
49, The scene was heartrending. Chill
dren We're moving about crying TO-
parents. mothers We're wringing thei
- hands in despair at the loss of hus
q bands and children, and men were IL
6 tears"
First to Leave.
Mrs. Hamilton was one of the frs
- women to leave the scene of desola
v ton. All the berths in the Pullman
- in which she travelled had been en-
- gagged, while only five were occupied
X Those who had engaged them tn
y aight before had probably been IN