The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1906-04-25
san FRANCISCO DESTROYED BY
EARTHQUAKE AND FIRE.

Aue CITY Ol Dan i francisco ana the
neighboring region along the Culifor-
MIA coast suffered the most disastrous
earthquake in the history of the Unit
ed States on Wednesday morning.
The urst shock came without warning
at 5:l5 o'clock in the morning. This
was followed by other severe shocks
in rapid succession. The first shock
lasted about two minutes, and there
followed almost an immediate collapse
of buildings of all kinds over the great
city. The water supply was cut off
and when fire broke out in various
sections there was nothing to do but
let the buildings burn. Water mains
were broken by the upheaval Il the
earth and the water system was COM
pletely paralyzcd. The FIRE depart
ment could do nothing to check the
flames. Electric power was stopped
and the street cars, whose tracks had
been twisted ond distorted, were for
ced to suspend. Railroads and ferry
boats ceased operations. Fires bcgao
to rage and the shattered city was
doomed to destruction. Dynamite
was employed to check the progress of
the flames and even this powerful
sge ncy, combined with the use of
heavy artillery from the government
army post, could do nothing for days
until the fire had nearly spent itself
for lack Of more houses to'burn.
Reports from districts outside of
San Francisco indicate widespread
damage. San Jose, fifty miles south,
lost many buildings and about 25 pco.
pie were killed. Leland Stanford
University and Palo Alto suffered
greatly. At Stanford many hand
some buildings wero demolished and
two students were killed. At Oak.
land the destruction was great, 100
people being reported killed.
The loss Of life in San Francisco
is variously estimated from 1000 to
5000. The exact number Of the dead
cannot be asoertained for several days
yet. The total number Of bodies re-
covered and buried up to Sunday
night is 500. No complete record can
be had at this time as many bodies
have been buried without permits
from the coroner or the board of
health. Tho early hour Of the earth
quake saved hundreds Of lives, as
few people we're in the great business
buildings Of the central portion of
the city when the terrible calamity
occurred. The greatest loss Of life
was in the tenement district aud among
tho residents along the bay where
many buildings had been erected on
made ground.
Tho circumference Of the area Of
the fire and earthquake, as uear as
could be ascertained from the mark.
ing Of . oyolometer, is rs miles, aud
comprises the entire business section
and q large section Of the residence
district, all Of which was densely pop.
.ulated. It is estimated by competent
insurance authorities that the property
loss will aggregate $500, 900, 900, and
on this amount of property the insur.
auoe companies carried approximately
Si:5,GGccco Gcc oooo insurance. All the
companies carrying risks state that
1hey will be able to pay the losses
dollar for dollar.
: :. = Among the notable buildings de-
stroyed by the earthquake and fire are
the splendid city hall, erected at a
cost Of s7,ooo,oo0; Fairmont hotel,
costing s3, ,250, 900, and built as mon
ument TO- the lato Senator Fair, of
Nevada; the new postofice building,
costing s5, ,000, ,000; the Call building,
a twenty STORY structure owned by
spreckles, the sugar. king; tho Chron.
iole aud Examiner buildings, the home
Of the great Pacific newspapers. All
the large business, houses aud hotels
were destroyed, and The only part Of
the city escaping damage from the
earthquake was the residence portion
Of the wealthy on the heights. The
spread Of the flames extended event
uslly to this, and few Of the million
aire mansions were saved. 3 , :}:$%$.... }$:
Congress has. voted the sum OF
$4,000. 900 for the relief Of che 100,-
900 homeless aud deetitute people Of
the shattered city, and: all ipartssiof:
she country are rallying to the aid Of
the suffering. New York has raised
more than 81, ,o00, 600, snd all. the .
other States are giving in proportion
to their wealth. The; work Of taking
care Of. the homeless is under the
auneruiaion ~ tha JInitad Staten arrnv