St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1906-05-09
EARTHQUAKE ECHOES
Experiences of Some Former st.
Johnsbury People.


Mrs. Selden c. Smith and two
children arrived here from San Francisco
Wednesday ternoon, and Mir. Smlth's |
mother and sis er, Mss Pansy, returned |
at the same time and ven directly to
their home in Cabot. Mrs. Smith anu
the children w,nt to her lormer in West
Barnet. Saturday, Where she will spend
the summer with her paren S, Mr.. aud
Mrs. A {. Richie. They are he first
people who were in the vicinity OF th'
cart quake and fire to arrive here, and
have been eagerly piled wi h numerous
queries OF be real truth OF The situation.
In telling OF their own experlt noes, Mrs.
Smith says they were fortunate enough
not to have had any OF the thrilling
adventures so many had, as they were
Just beyond the territory reached by the
FIRE, and were not in the direct line OF
the earthquake, so their ht use was
almost unnjured. Many articles on n,
floors above them were injured and the
pillars in front of their house were
detached from the porch at tie bottom,
although they kept in place and appear.
ed to be sohd, until they WIRE tonch, d
when they swayed and proved to be
quite unsubstantial. NJ adm Smitu
arose on tbs morning OF the shock and
rushed out OF doors and discovered
their condition as she leaned against
one OF them. The family might have
continued to live in the house as usual
had they been allowed to have fires,
but as they could not they were com.
PEELED to cook on small stoves built
bricks, which were kept on the side
walks, and which did not produce very
palatable tood. Mrs. Smith was
fortunately well suppln d with food and
all they were obliged to receive from the
general supply was b. cad, OF which they
were allowed halt Loaf each day tor a
family of seven, and meat. Their chiei
dIscomforts were caused from the lack OF
water, the excessive heat from the fires,
and the greater oisComtOrts OF friends
and the many people who were made
homeless and whose families were
separated.
Many people who had time to pack
some OF their goods in trunks pu, them
on lawn mowers, in lieu OF trucks, and
carried them TO places OF safe, V and
Others attached rollers from rul er skates
TO boards, and put their belongings on
THIN and rolled them along the streets
The best order was ntained by the
militia and those in au horlly that was
possible, and the officials were very sole
itous OF every ones welfare. The spirit
OF good nature tn prevailed among the
atti cted ones was remarkable. One per.
son would say to another, Lost every.
thing" the reply would be Yes, every -
thug, when the response would come
good naturedly, 80 have g."
The night before they became assured
that he fire was TO be checked about niut
blocks rom their home the Smiths packed
some OF their goods and some TODD anC
carried Their trunks to place OF safety
should they need to vacaIe their house
On his return from this GRAND Mr.. Smith
was detailed to assist in digging a ditch
but was relieved Of this duty after two
hours work, as he had been on police dc
tan the night before, and afterwards h,
served as polictma and assisted thu
night watchmen Mrs. Smith and th
family lett for the east April IS, and stop
ped day IN Chicago, where they wer
better supplied with the comforts OF ht
necessary on so long trip with sm Il
children. They reached here last " ed
nesday. Mss Pansy Smith had an ex
cellent position with the publishing nous
OF CHM and Co., which was destroyec
and although she was offered tine pos
ton with their Chicago house she pr
ierrtd after her recent exptrirLces TO n
III Il to Vermont. Mr. smith is conur
uing his business tor the same "a a
Oakland.