The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1906-05-17

car whs nothing short OF wonderful
aud he saiu himself that he would
never have dared doing swhat Inc did
under ordinary circumstances. We
made the drive from San Jose to San
Francisco in two hours. shall never
forget that ride as long as | live. 1t
was terrible az we'll as wonderful
adventure. In places where the road
was bad and that was not infrequent-
Iy the case, we held on by main
strength to keep from being thrown
bodily out of the car.
Think of tearing madly along in an
auto toward city, which from all
you knew o'the contrary might zhave
been already erased from the map.
When we were yet thirty miles
from the city we commenced to see
the smoke from the fire, and to meet
to people leaving the town in auto.
mobiles.
AS we drew nearer and nearer, the
refugees became more numerous and
the smoke blacker, until when we
were within five miles OF the burning
city steady stream of people, some
walking, some in oil sort Of convey
ances and all with bundles of bedding
and olothirg slung over their shoul-
ders, passed as hurrying from the
scene of disaster.
The fires started some time about
six o'clock in the morning Wednesday
and by the evening OF the same day
1O0 900 people were homeless By
Thursday 800, 900 were camping in the
vacant lots and parks. The fire was
not controlled until late Friday night
when only nesfourth of the city was
left
When we arrived, Mr.. w drove
us immediately to his brothers. house,
where he was met with the news that
but what he had in his pockets. Never
once while we were with them, about
four hours, did we hear one of the
family mention their loss In a way
which would make us uncomfortable
or MAKE us feel that it was on
their mind. In fact, | do not think
a word was SAID about it, except once
when the youngest brother said.
"They say the insurance companies
xuOnit 40 ohio tn nav -
All the water they had in the house
was little they had drawn in bath
tub to drink. They gave us little
of that to wash with. They had no
gas to cook with, and all the food
they had in the house they put on
the table, and asked US to share with
them. lU consisted of one box of sar
dimes, two plates OF bread, some pate,
and some crackers. Mrs. W had a
little milk for her two babies and she
would insist upon our having some,
but of co1rse we would not drink
any. Once while at the table we felt
q slight earthquake, we had nineteen
during the day, and we all rushed out
of the yard carrying the children
While we were still at the table
some one came in, and said he had
just heard from woman that the
ferries were running. Mrs. b and
l went TO put on our hats, while Mr..
W went out to hunt up the woman.
He found upon inquiry that she
had only heard a rumor to that
effect. We did not think it impossi-
BILE to reach the ferries, as the water
front was all on fire. Mr.. W walk
ed down a way to inquire He came
back with a university boy who
knew n way to reach the ferries and
'ald he knew the boats were run
ing,
When we were ready to go we
ound that there was only very
little gasoline in the tank. Mr. W
aid there was enough so that he |
,ould get us TO the boats, but he did |
lot know whether he could get clear
back. We tried to dissuade him from
,olng but he insisted. You see by |
lslng up the little gasoline he had lie
vas cutting all hope of escaping from
he city if the fire reached OUT there ;
,asolipe was at premium IN the city
ind one could not get any for all the
money in the world.
BY that time San Francisco was
lnder martial law, and we were
traId we would be unable to leave
he city. At last we were off on n
most thrilling ride ever had We
Iashed down hill toward the fire;
'ast sentries without stopping: and
III until we came within a block of
Ierket, and then roaring furnace
the wind was blowing