River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1906-05-10
LETTER FROM CALIFORNIA
Relating Personal Experts
ences of the Great
Earthquake.
San Jose, CAL, April %.

ton, ! come to you with the story
of the great earthquake. impress.
sions of which will never be effaced
from Our minds while memory holds
her sway.
At SIG a. M, Wednesday, April
Is, we were aroused by the rocking
and shaking of our house, mingled
with the terrific noise of the shock,
the falling of brick, the creaking
and breaking of timbers, which
while it lasted was indeed some
thing to remember. We were told
that the earth rose and fell like the
waves of the sea; trees, swaying,
bent to the ground. | cannot tell
how long its duration, but it seemed
an eternity almost. When it ceased
we started on tour of inspection.
Every room showed the sad effects
of the dread visitor, broken dishes,
glassware, food, and the downfall
of the great chimney which was
built from the ground, up through
the two stories.
We were dazed, and well we might
be, as we looked from the windows
and saw not house but was in the
same condition, and windmills and
tanks lying low. A neighbor called
our attention to the front of the
house; it looked as buildings so Of
ten do in the cyclone country, stood
about foot askew from the foun-
dation and had shattered appear
ance generally. Fear began to
creep in and we trod carefully as
we prepared our food on the little
oil stove of former camping trips.
The fire-bells rang, and reports of
dire disaster came, causing all who
had wheel to rush to the aid of
those in danger. The fire ragged,
and before it could be checked
swept away nearly half block in
the business portion of the city.
Another horror followed: many were
pinned in the debris of the crushed
buildings rooning houses and ho-
tells, the death roll counting up to
nineteen when taken out, and many
more were badly injured. All day
long people remained out of doors
fearing to enter their homes, for
shock after shock, though very
light, followed for several days.
And there came news of the awful
destruction of life and property in
San Francisco, the fire demon doing
more damage than the shock. The
water main was broken by that and
the lack of water was sad calami-
ty. Dynamite had to be used and
in many instances the falling build
ings sent the fire into ether sections
until it had swept over 10000 acres
or about Is square miles.
No trains, telephones or tele-
graphs, and many who had escaped
injury in San Jose lived for days in
great anxiety over friends who re-
sided there. To-day, ten days after,
many are living out of doors or in
tents, fearing to dwell inside their
homes. Relief committees were
| formed to care for our own, and
those who fled to this city from San
Francisco, for when trains began
to run again they came by thou
sands to be fed at the depot and
sent on their way, or taken to emer-
gency hospitals for tleatment, none
being allowed to remaic except
those who had friends here and a
friend in Los Angeles wrote us that
$500 came there in one day to be
cared for.
And is San Jose ruined? you will
ask. No, far from it; for though
her loss of property is immense the
hearts of the people are brave and
money seems to be plenty with
some) and the work of clearing
away the debris and preparations
to rebuild began almost before the
smoke of the burnt buildings dis
appeared, while churches, school
buildings, the court house, hall OF
records and other large buildings,
including the high school, were
shattered. some in ruins, the
thought is very evident that San
Jose will build greater and better
in the years to come. Already mon.
led men are looking for chances to
invest, and people who formerly
have lived in San Francisco are ia
vorably impressed with our valley
! for homes.
The advent of an old-fashioned
thunder storm, a few days after the
quake would cause one to feel that
our climate is changing, and we
say, yea, verify. but the loneliness
of this Santa Clara valley is as