Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-06-14

Mrs william B. Tawrssey Of Sew
nth and Washington streets has re-
sn;esd sn.s letter from her son, John g.
gT.,,ressv. formerly Of Wilmington,
Ao~' ~ If San Francisco, CAL, who was
~ the city during the earthquake, in
nbicb he gives an interesting account
tbs experience and also tells the
~oarer in which order is being
Sroneht out of chaos.
V' ge saws ne and his family were
.gakened by the earthquake, which
,ros several times more violent than
W. nrevious disturbance of that kind,
snd each moment new shake ap-
eens,ed To start from a different direc-
ton The first noise was caused by
fishes. furniture, &C., falling in diff
dent parts Of the house the falling
sricks on the outside. One Of the
wembers of the family arose from the
Sed and tried to stand up, but was
snable TO do so. When the vibration
stamped he looked out Of a window and
vas able to see through the roof of
Dolores Church, large holes having
been made by bricks tumbling down.
When Mr.. Tawresey started to dress
he found that the water supply in the
house had been cut off and later that
there was no gas or electric current
the mains and wires having been
broken. The family dressed and went
ont into the street, where they found
thousands of other people they were
borrifed at the scenes which have
already been vividly described. In
some places they found crevices in the
earth a foot wide, and in some places
f me streets had sunk several feet.
Mr.. Tawrsssy has learned that one
4 Of the most disastrous fires, which de-
stroyed several hundred houses, was
. caused by a woman who failed to heed
warning given by the police. Her
chimney had tumbled down, but she
made FIRE, with which to cook break
fast. The police told her that she
+ should not make q fire, as her chin
. new was down and she would set fire
+ 10 the place, but she did not take their
/ advice, and the result was as stated
above.
The day following the earthquake
The fire encroached upon Mr.. Taw-
resey's house and he packed a trunk
and gathered up some clothing, which
was tied in bundles, and preparation
wSs made TO move. That night they
put the children to bed on the grass
in front Of the house and the older
members Of the family slept on the
steps and alternated in watching the
fire, making trips back and forth to a
nearby hill, where the progress Of che
fire could be watched. The next day
the blaze was so threatening that Mr..
IaWrssey and his family made their
final tour of the house and got out
such as they could, and preparation
vas made to abandon the house. Mr..
Iagresey got a horse and cart from
hls landlord, who lived in the same
house, but it was impossible to get
help and he had TO drive himself.
They made their way to the hills and
watched the burning city from there.
They had not been able to carry much
With them, and, as a result, had very
little TO eat and could not buy any
thing, but rstions soon came and were
distributed and they did not suffer
from hunger. Before the distribution
took place, however, Mr.. Tawresey
vent TO ths almshouse, with the hope
Of getting some bread. The people
here would not give him whole loaves,
but they gave him a stack Of crusts,
which had been gathered up after the
Soldiers and psupers we're through eat
lngi and Mr.. Tawresey and his family
sN the crusts with great relish.
Ihey got plenty of milk free and also
plenty Of water by that time.
On Saturday, four days after the
earthquake, the fire had burned itself
OUT pretty we'll, and, though it was
sltnln block of Mr.. Tawresey' 3
lolse, 1t was not damaged and nothing
had been disturbed, except some cur
hlns, which bad been pulled down
ana used as rags TO wet down the
l9lsei and the contents of the pantry,
which had been taken. All of the
houses en- the side of Dolores street,
% which Mr.. Tawresey lived, had
escaped damage, but the houses on the
opposite side Of the street had been
OlOWn up by dynamite to prevent the
spread Of the flames
According to Mr.. Tawresey, the
.loons are still out Of business. As
las 3een reported, all we're compelled
" close Immediately after the earth
susAe and as yet they have not beer
a Flnltted to resume business. As I
IaIter OF fact most of them we're de
,Lo!ed by the fire. Many Of the peo
~ even now are doing their cookinl
!. tne streets or in yards, but the,
.e making the best of the situation
~ order is being brought out o
- .usos At the time the letter wa
~ 'i''en there was no surplus of water
~ as a result, washing Of clothe
su not been resumed, but there wa
A. elsease and there appeared to be n
O'ptset OF an epidemic of any kind.
business has been resumed to sucl
extent that it is now possible 70
s uuse Who have the means to buy sucl
spplles as they need. Mr.. Tawrese
acquainted with a woman VIII
sosseo a trunk . or 80 blocks
sbI5 iIs the earthquake hundreds c
Iufeh nave been born out of doors.
bao. lu conclusion he says: 1--WE hav
Ia lu very fortunate. Our loss is small
bv LLough many things were damage
u. Oetug knocked around. Our churc
~, ourned. He has taken abou
OS svS uo1en pictures of the ruins. j
lWSaoasquent letter MIR. Tawresey says
6tn.. are all proud of the way th
tss ''iqn qI was handled by the authori
ave.. uere has been no disorder an
s.oue mere IS truly grateful to tn