The Mena weekly star., 1906-04-26


 dawned on a scene of death and de- struction During the night the flames had consumed many of the city's finest structures and skipped in dozen directions to the residence nortions. They had made their way over into the North Beach section and springing anew to the south they reached out along the shipping sec tion down to the bay shore, over the hills and across toward Third and Townsend streets Warehouses, whole eale houses and manufacturing con- cerns fell in their path. This com nleted the destruction of the entire district known as the South Of Mar lset street" How far they are reach ing to the south across the channel cannot be told as this part of the city is shut off After darkness thous- ands of the homeless were making their way with their blankets and scant provisions to Golden Gate Park and the beach to find shelter. Those in the homes on the hills just north of the Hayes Valley wrecked section piled their belongins in the streets and express wagons and automobiles were hauling the things away to the sparsely settled regions.
 Downtown everything is ruin. Not a business house stands. Theaters are crumbled into heaps. Factories and commission houses lie shoulder ing on their former sites All Of the newspaper plants have been rendered useless.
 It is estimated that the loss ia San Francisco will reach from $150,000,- GOO to s200. 1000. These figures are in the rough and nothing can be told until partial accounting is taken
 On every side there was death and suffering. Hundreds were injured. burned. crushed or struck by falling pieces from the buildings and one or them died while on the operating ta- ble at Mechanics Pavilion. improvised as a hospital for the comfort and care of 300 injured. The number of dead is not known, but it is estimated that at least 800 met their death in the horror.
 At 9 o'clock, under a special mes sago from President Roosevelt, the city was placed under martial law. Hundreds of troops patrolled the streets and drove the crowds back, while hundreds more were set at work assisting the fire and police depart ments. The strictest orders were is- sued and in true military spirit the soldiers obeyed. During the after noon three thieves met their death by rifle bullets while at work in the ruins. The curious were driven back at the breasts of the horses that the cavalrymen rode and all the crowds were forced from the level district to the hilly section beyond to the north.
 The water supply was entirely cut off. and maybe it was just as we'll, for the lines of fire department would have been absolutely useless at any stage. Assistant Chief Dougherty su-
 rvised the work of his men and early in the morning it was seen that the only possible chance to save the city lay in an effort to check the
 mes by the use of dynamite. Dur ing the day blast could be heard Tn any section at intervals of only a few minutes. and buildings not destroyed by fire were blown to atoms. But through the gaps made the flames jumped and although the failures or the heroic efforts of the police, ire men and soldiers were at times sick ening, the work was continued with desperation that will live as one or the features of the terrible disaster.
 Passengers on trains from other cities in California bring details or destruction and death from nearly all of them.
 Damage at Oakland.
 Oakland, Cal, April 20.--Thous- snds of refugees, rendered homeless hf the terrible calamity which has oyertaken San Francisco, have come to this city. On learning of this the Realty Syndicate at once oHefed ldofa Park for the use of those ieft without shelter by the earthquake The cffer has been gratefully accepted by the police and fire departments and 200 cots have been placed Tn the theater for the use of the refugees. He- lief stations have also been established at the city hall, and at the various public parks throughout the city'
 Other relief stations have also been established in such of the churches throughout the city as are considerred safe for use as such.
 A report comes from Martinez tha' the Martinez Bank building one or the finest structures in the town has been completely destroyed.
 IL is at present impossible 70 esu' mate the amount of damage 70 pro-
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