The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-04-20
EARTHQUAKE AND FIRE.
San Francisco In Ruins-Hundreds
Killed-Thousands Injured
Millions of Dollars Damage
Shocks in Charleston.


Shocks in Charleston.
San Francisco, April lS:-Earth-
quake and fire today have caused the
greatest calamity California has ever
known. In San Francisco alone it IS
estimated that 1000 persons have per-
ished, while as many more are suffer-
ing from injuries. The entire business
portion of the city is in ruins, and the
flames which, owing to- the lack Oh
water cannot be checked except by
the blowing up with dynamite Of
buildings in their path, are still
sweeping through the city. 1t IS ut
terly impossible at present to estimate
the property loss, for the extent Of the
eonfagration cannot be told until the
fire has burned itself out. Thousands
of people are homeless and many are
huddled in parks and public squares
beside. the household goods they were
able TO save. The city is under mar
tial law, and all the downtown streets
are patroIIed by cavalry and infantry.
Details Of troops are also guarding
the banks. Most Of the principal
Buildings have already been destroyed
and Others are in imminent danger.
Over all the scene Of desolation hangs
dense pail of smoke.
Communication with outside towns
is almost entirely cut of, but the re-
Dort comes from Palo Alto that all
but one of the buildings Of the Leland
Stamford, Jr: university have been
wrecked and that the splendid merno-
rial church, one Of the finest struc-
lures of It's kind in the world, IS
mass of ruins. One student is knows
to have lost his life In Oakland five
persons were killed. San Jose and
Sacramento, Berkeley, Alameda and
other places heard from suffered Sc
verely but report no loss OF hte..
The dreadful earthquake shock
came without warning at precisely at
5:13 O'Clock this morning, its motion
apparently being from east to west.
At first the upheaval of the earth was
gradual, but in few seconds 1t IN
creased in intensity. Chlmneys be-
gan to fall and buildings to crack,
tottering on their foundations. The
people became panic-stricken and
rushed into the streets, most OF them
in their night attire. They were met
with showers Of falling buildings,
bricks, cornices and walls. Many were
instantly crushed to death, while 9TH
ers we're dreadfully mangled. Those
who remained indoors generally escap-
ed with their lives, though scores were
hit by detached plaster, pictures and
articles thrown to the floor by the
shock. It is believed that more or
les loss was sustained by nearly ev-
cry family in the city.
Fire Broke Out.
Scarcely had the earth ceased to
shake when, fires broke out simuitan-
eously in many places. The fire depart
ment promptly responded to the first
calls for aid, but it was found that
the water mains had been rendered
bent. Famed by light breeze, the
flames quickly spread and soon many
blocks were seen to bee doomed. Then
dynamite was resorted to and the
sound Of frequent explosions added to
the terror Of the people. All efforts
to stay the progress Of the fire, how
ever, proved futile. The south side of
Market street from Ninth street to
the bay was soon ablaze, the fire cover
ing a belt two block wide. On this,
the main thoroughfare Of the city,
are located many of the finest edifces
in the city, including the Grant, Par
rott, Floode, "Call," "Examiner,'
and Monadnoc buildings, the Palace
and Grand hotels and numerous
wholesale houses.
At the same time the commercial
establishments and banks north Of /