Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-07-15
AT SAN FRANCISCO.
Experience of Bluehill Woman in
the Earthquake and Fire.

Experienne of n BluehiIl Woman in
the Earthquake and Fire.
Los ANGELES, CAL, June 26, 1908.
To The Editor OF The american:
received copy of your paper to notify
me of Mrs. Fanny Hinckleys death. She
was very dear friend and shall always
think Of her lovingly, was born in Blue
hill, but 1t has been many years since I
visited the town of my birth. 1t is dear
spot in MY memory, and my thoughts go
back to my childhood sometimes.
have lived in San Francisco the best
part OF my life. made that city my home
over thirty four years, but lost my beau
tiful home and l am to-day homeless
wanderer. Please let me tell to you the
sad story, though it has baen told by
thousands of tongues and pens.
The dawn Of Wednesday, April IS, 1906,
in San Francisco, was as beautifully calm
as thousand others that had heralded
delightful days. At 5l3 o'clock, with sub
terranean roar, the earth rocked and
trembled. Instantly the streets were
filed with men, women and children,
praying, shrieking in frenzy. Buildings
swayed and were tumbled into heaps of
ruins, the graves OF hundreds. 1t was a
CHASTITY horror, more dreadful than battle
fields.
But worse was to follox-the confiagra-
ton that was to destroy the work OF fifty
years. The rending OF the earth had
broken the water. ,mans in innumerable
places, and there was mo hope. The city
was doomed. Thursday morning broke,
and San Francisco lay under black pail
of smoke mile high. The reflection of
the fire could be seen fifty miles away, and
still there was no water none to fight the
flames; none even to drink for many thou
sands parched withlthe awful heat.
was getting breakfast for my son. He
was drsymsn. He had'to go out at $40
O'Clock to look after his team. I had just
called him when the earthquake came.
We were tossed up and down like the
waves Of the sea. II grabbed hold OF a
door, for could not stand up. My house
came down, and the next house cane
down on us. We had to dig our way out
of the ruins.
was poorly clad, because put on any
thing, expecting to go;back to sleep after
my boy went out to his work. I lost
everything-my home, my clothes, my
food. I got only one. meal in three days,
and not drink OF water. / had nothing
but the blue sky above forIa roof and the
green earth for carpet.
The fire was upon US in a few minutes.
had to rush from the street. My boy
ran to save his team, and he was lost to
me. l thought he was killed. / waited
for his return till the fire burnedlmy hair
and drove me from the burning buildings.
l walked nearly ten miles Iaway from the
doomed city, thenI Shutdown and waited
for my boy to come to me. ..But ..he came
not. watched all day and all, night 1t
was sad night. THURSDAY morning broke,
and he vas still absent. Friday came
still l was alone. saturday; -,still no
tidings.
Sunday morning dawned. was broken
hearted. Then / went .sdown hillside
where no eye could see oriearl could hear,
and out OF the depths | called unto Him
who will hear when helpless mortals
plead. While 1 was calling on God to
bring back my boy tome, for l needed his
strong arm to care for me in my declining
years, l heard the voice of a little child |
calling her mother: sob! mama! Uncle
Charlie is coming!" In few moments
l had my son and my daughterin loving |
embrace.
We three are all that is left1of our house,
hold. The others are sweetly sleeping in |
Gods acre, undisturbedj by earthquakes |
or fire or the storms.of life.
San Francisco is still. wearing her robe |
of mourning, but she ihas ..unfolded her |
banner of progress and in a few years she |
will wipe out all traces other desolation. |
But as the years comeland go and decora-
ton days come, San Francisco will not |
forget to pluck the beautiful roses that
are ever in bloom at the.Golden Gate and
strew them on the graves of those who |
lost their lives in this awful calamity.
San Francisco will arise.from her ashes
and put on her strength land beauty and
will be beloved by all:nations in the future
as she has been in the.past.
MRS. LU MCFARLAND MowRY.
m A r1.rtr,