The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-05-03
of any kind available.

of any kind available.
We finally arrived home and after de-
Gliding that we were safe jumped on a
bicycle and did the best | could which
of course was not much. The fire com
menced down town and kept spreading,
so the residents began to move, as dray |
wagons demanded hundred dollars
each, if you could get one at all, moving
began to progress as follows: Ropes
were tied to handles of trunks which
were drawn along the walks with what
clothing could be saved, there was also
other ways of transporting goods OF
which will make mention of a few that
can call to mind. Anything having
casters or rollers on, chairs, beds,
wheelbarrows, baby buggies, and dozens
Of others besides many other horse
vehicles drawn by men. In the streets
and on the walks was formed just such
procession Of the above, and the pc
culiarity Of it all was no one seemed to
be excited or to say much, they simply
moved along as best they could to a
place of temporary safety which as
rule was some park, and began to erect
an impromptu tent with blankets as
walls.
AS UIlC ire was a IdN iuIHdSS, Idh
ing everything in it's path for swath
the determination of getting dray at
valuable furniture at any moment, and
we are thankful indeed that we were
spared with our lives and that we were
not burned out. Although nearly every
one moved stayed with it but you may
| L. 7 al Tab hn
condition of the fire, and even fought
like hero. The fire is now checked
and people are moving back, that is the
one, who are fortunate enough to have
a home left.
The city was turned over to the Z. S.
and the government troops were order
instead OF a city government, we are
stealing is handled roughly and in many
earthquake shaking the chimney tops
who watches very closely to see that
there are no fires built not even light
is allowed in the house. We were for
tunate enough to have our camp stove
which we put up in the street. They
not windy.
If any person is caught selling liquor
or even moving it the soldier boys
simply takes possession of it anc
smashes the bottles on the cobble
stones.
If any person is guilty Of charging ar
exhorbitant price for any provision the
regulars take possession of his store
and in many cases distribute the con
tents to the waiting crowds on the out
side. l knew case yesterday where
crowd was lining up to await thei
turn to make their purchases and ;
party called for box of sardines, whel
informed that it was worth S1.00 The
purchaser hesitatcd to pay same which
was too much for the waiting crowd
which rushed over the counter ant
helped themselves to such as they need
ed. AS rule no one need to want al
the government is very generous il
giving supplies as well as medical aid.
We have an automobile service her,
consisting of several hundred machine
which are not allowed to rent them blu
are compelled to use them as ambu
lances and other ways of aiding tn
sufferers, taking them to hospitals
/ which has inded been a great blessing
q in relieving the sufferers and is no,
! being used to carry the people fror
= their temporary camping sites to NOR
permanent location.
: A few words in regard to the presen
n condition. In regard to the genera
4 destruction will say the entire bushes
portion of the city is burned and nc
: one important building remains excer
n the ferry building and Z. S. mint. Every
IS thing from the magnificent % story Ca
G building to the less important building
e have been destroyed, the streets bein
= piled many feet high in bricks an
X other debris and many of them will /
h impossible for several days.
It There will be no street cars runnin
v for weeks as the tracks (Which are col
- structed Of nine inch steel rails) al
" warped and twisted and in some cas-,
stand up above the pavement for two
n three feet.
IS Notwithstanding the present cond
,e ton San Francisco is remarkable cit
Although the government offers to gil
~ free transportation, there is only
sd small per cent who take advantage
re same and go east. There are no passe
TO gers allowed to come in here at preser
With kindest regards to all, renal
G p AUES