East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1906-05-07
BACK FROM FRISCO
COL. FRANK j. PARKER
TELLS OF CONDITIONS.
" ALA Walla Pioneer Was Through
the Earthquake and Fire and Stood
In line for u ''IIandout''-Says the
Stories of Shooting by Guards Were
ENaggcratcd-Orie Is Now COM
ing From the Chaos.


Walla, returned this morning from
San Francisco. He left the ruined
city to attend the wedding of his eld-
est son, Frank, who was married Sat-
urday evening to Miss Clara Neckli-
son, at The Dalles. The young couple
left on the morning train for San
Francisco, where the young man will
resume his duties in the Pacific Mail
offices.
Colonel Parker was all through the
trouble, experienced the shock, went
through the fire for three days and
nights. camped out, stood in line to
get a handout, served on patrol duty
and assisted the relief association all
he could
He says it is impossible to convey
an idea of the earthquake and the
fire that followed. He lived on How
ard street, in the Mission district, and
the fire came within one block of his
residence.
He is enthusiastic over the way the
people take it. There are no COM
plants or knockers, but individually
and collectively every one is imbued
with the spirit of rebuilding the city
better than ever and taking a fresh
start in life.
The assistance and sympathy they
have received from the world at large
has much to do with the optimistic
spirit that universally pervades all
classes. Social barriers are torn apart
and millionaire and working man
meet on the same level.
The action of General Funston and
Mayor Schmitz in calling out the mill
tary, closing up every saloon, assist
ing the needy, meets with universal
appreciation.
f. II. Harrimon came on the scene
as fast as steam could bring him from
New York, and he virtually turned the
Southern Pacific treasury loose in the
devastated city. He showed himself
possessed of more executive ability
than all the rest put together. He
first found what was to be done and
then did it. In "a hours he had n
railroad built through the streets to
night and day directing. 1t will be a
long time before any more abuse of
Southern Pacific is heard in San
Francisco. All the employees are i'm
bued with the same spirit.
All cooking is now done in the
streets for fires are not allowed in the
houses, and will not be until the
chimneys are repaired and the water
mains put in order.
During all the trouble there were
no disturbances" said Colonel Parker,
"but this was not through fear of God,
but the we'll known fact that disturb
ers would have been shot at sight as
these were the orders.
Mistakes were made by inexper-
enced officers and men of the militia,
hut the good they occasioned vastly
offset the mistakes.
"The shootings so much talked OF
were greatly exaggerated and what
was done simply had to De done and
that is all there is to it.
"Men are now forced to work il
they draw rations. Carpenters. plumb
ers, bricklayers. plasterers and stone
masons are needed badly. There is
not a chimney intact either in Sar
Francisco or any of the cities for %
miles or more around the bay.
"Relief is still needed and will be
for months to come, but the people
of the Pacific coast seem to think we
all owe something to San Francisco
and there is no fear but they will no
bly, respond to any call.
81 venture the prediction that with
in five years San Francisco will be re-
built grander than ever"