River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1906-04-26


given to the once beautiful city than
that of a vast ash heap. Desolation
and ruin greet the eye from every de
rection, viewing the scene from the
center of the business district. Gold
en- Gate park and the Presidio are
great camps in which over zoe, 900 men,
women and children are patiently
waiting until they can say they have
homes of their own. They are living
under martial rule with an uncom-
planning resignation, enduring hard
ships which they never dreamed Of,
yet without a murmur.
The sight is presented of thousands
standing in line before the food supply
depots, waiting for their daily allot-
ment of rations. The man who count
ed his wealth by thousands is not
above standing elbow to elbow with
the man who was in the humblest
circumstances four days ago. The
women who rode in an automobile and
commanded an army of servants re-
ceives her bread after the poor wash
erwoman has been supplied, and shows
no sign of pride.
Business Men Are Alert.
A tour of the burned district, except
ing portions that are impossible, re-
veals appalling conditions. The
stencil from escaping gas is overpow-
ering, yet is braved by hundreds Of
business men who are bent on ascer-
tanning the condition of the buildings
which they occupied and planning fol-
he resumption of trade at the first OPP
portunity Every incoming train
brings these eager-eyed men to the
city from surrounding towns, in which
hey took refuge.
y. Chinatown is no more, and it is
doubtful whether it will ever be re-
suscitated in the picturesque form
which attracted SO many thousands
Chinatown is now lot of holes in the
ground, which may be aptly compared
to rabbit warrens. Not a stick of the
'linsy timber which sheltered the
largest Chinese colony in the United
States remains upright. Even the
lshes have been swept away by the
strong winds, and the ground looks as
bare as though it had been scraped.
Many Die from Hardships.
The care of the dead and dying il
becoming more serious problem than
before. Many deaths are occurring in
the camps among the women and chill
dren whose frail constitutions could
not withstand the exposure. The dead
that have been taken from the ruins
are being buried in the bay and in
trenches, and the work of burial is
often being done under cOmpulsion
Citizens have been forced by soldiers
to help in the digging of trenches, SC
imperative is the necessity of remov-
ing the corpses and avoiding possible
epidemics. The revolver and rifle are
also being used to compel men to work
in the ruins.
The work of relief is being per-
formed on a tremendous scale, and ii
is improving every hour in efficiency
Mayor Schmitz's orders to break open
all stores where food may be found
have been carried out in scores of in
stances. Many thousands of gallons of
milk were distributed among the
women and children, boon that
came at the critical moment in the
lives of thousands of children.
Church Services in Open Air.
For the first time in nearly 200
years, the church bells did not call the
people to worship. Most of the
churches have been converted into
rubbish heaps by earthquake and fire.
The few still standing were filled with
homeless, sick ana injured
But there were religious services
services in the parks and open
spaces where the homeless are camp
ing in tents and under trees-seryices
of thankfulness that so many were
saved where SO many were in peril and
of gratitude for the generosity of ma
ton which has responded so nobly
and SO promptly to avert a famine.