The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1906-05-12
Earthquake and Fire.

sensations of the people Of San Fran
cisco, at the time Of the earthquake
and fire. This letter was published
in the San Deigo Union. DR., Cleye.
land is the father of Miss Thezevant
Cleveland, who is now visiting in this
city,
"I was wide awake at 5:1S O'Clock
in my bedroom at 6O2 Leavenworth
street, near Geary. The bed in which
l slept was placed north and south.
"Livlng in San Francisco for forty
years and experiencing shocks OF
greater or less intensity, 1 had prede.
termined to note any that might occur
with fearless, calm and critical per-
sonal observation.
"My mind being prepared, and con.
scious of security on the upper floor
of two-storY house, built strongly
under my own eyes, 1 was thoroughly
prepared to carry out my resolution.
"It was veritable, unqualified
shake. 1t commenced all Of a sudden,
without introduction, and rolled my
body from side to side, defenselessly,
furiously, viciously, suddenly. l was
shaken as a dog would shake a rat.
The inside blinds Clattered and flew
open as IL by the hands Of some
threatening, angry intruder, and the
upper sash Of the window was lowered
as suddenly ard rudely over a foot at
the same time The house was built
on a foundation Of hard cedar. The
shake, was distinctly aud radically
from east to west, and conveyed q
sense OF power, inconceivable without
experience. l lay few minutes after
it was all over, calm, firm and un.
moved, but overwhelmed with refec-
tlon as to its effect on the tall build.
inRs OF the city.
81 got up, dressed myself with
fresh garments throughout, calmed
the fears OF my daughters and moth
erin law as well as 1 could, and went
out to get the news.
cat the door l meta young friend
who said that fires had broken out on
the water front and asked to view the
scene from the top Of my house.
"He ascepded and crying from alofI
said, Doctor, its worse than /
thought. There are three or four
raging fires along the east and south
eastern portion Of the city. I'm
afraid they can't control it. You had
better collect your valuables and pre-
pare for the %erst. I'll assist your
: family
"My family we're all dressed ant
5 prepared for the work Of the tragedy
We procured sheets and tied up the
best Of our clothing and provided our
$ selves with blankets and comforts tt
protect ourselves against the ex
q posures that we seemed doomed t,
]. undergo.
s "Very soon another intimate yount
i, friend came to see what service h.
e could render us. He said:
s The water mains are fractured
a doctor, and l fear that without wa te
!. the fire has spread to an extent 81
IS great that it is beyond human con
is troll. They are now dynamitin
Is buildings 10 advance in au atte npt Il
IS break its progress, but without waite
n l see no stay to its progress so long a
a there is house to burn. You ha
Z, better get your valuables and necei
10 SdTlbo do uSdI uuO lulu hOOl q
ID possible.
Iy ave looked around fondly, lovingly
is grievingly, sadly at the home we ha
o, so long aud confidently enjoyed; th
a many beautiful and precious article
IS the affections Of time had clustere
ne about us; the valued photograph
Of the exqaitite paintings OF figures an
c. flowers, the treasured bric-a-brac; al
all we surveyed with sorrowful au
despairing cfIectiou. for the last tim
'S and walked out of the front door vii
y fearful eyes.
- "Thousands Of such scenes we
~ enacted all over the doomed city.
'ie front of me, to the west, were thr
'ai magnificent residences adorned wi
n all that could delight the taste, char
eu the sensibilitles, promote refecti
10y and heighten the felicitles and CO
'en solatious Of domestic life, surround
by ample greenswards and flo"