CORVA
Vol. XLHI.
Corvallis, Benton County, Oregon, Tuesday. April 24. ,108.
i
THE GREAT HORROR.
Eye-Witnesses Tell Their Stories
in the Oregonian.
The first refugees from devas
tate San Francisco arrived over
the Southern Pacific delayed
train last night. The four who
wer- lucky enough to escape the
horrible scenes which followed
th reat earthquake told enough
of tne disaster after the first
shocks to turn one to horror.
Henry Hahn, manager of Wad
hains & Co., occupied a room on
tLe second floor of the Palace.
He was awakened by the first
sho 'k and found himself covered
with plaster and broken glass,
but scaped without a scratch.
' I will never forget that hor
ribl - grating sound when the
building swayed and rocked like
a tall tree in a storm. It was
something awful, and I can hear
it yet. I was awakened by the
first shock and immediately the
pi ster began to fall. The bureau
and bed were shifted almost to
the middle of the room, and
: while I did not seem to realize
that I was in great danger, I got
out of the room when the second,
I third and fourth shocks followed,
although they were less severe.
Everything was excitement in
the corridors, and the darkness
made it difficult to find the exits.
"The damage in the building,
however, was nothing compared
to the scenes that met our eyes
upon reaching the street. Great
heaps of bricks and timbers were
strewn about to the middle of the
pavements, and it was impossible
to get away except by taking the
. middle of the, -streets. Th-firemen
responded promptly and
were in the midst of the business
district almost as quickly as we
got out ot the hotel, but it soon
became apparent that they were
helpless, the water-mains having
burst from the sway of the
ground. In some places the
t streets had sunk te a depth of
i a foot or more. Some water was
j pumped from the bay, ' but it
availed nothing against the many
fires that were springing up
everywhere. I am certain that
within half an hour 20 01 the
fallen structures were ablaze and
that was only so tar as I could
see.
"I saw only two bodies, one
was lying on the sidewalk and
another under timbers in a fallen
building. Many maimed and
crippled were rushing about the
streets, apparently dazed and
not knowing in what direction to
seek relief.
"The most salient features
have been told, but one thing
proved was that the modern steel
structures stood the strain well,
and I do not believe the result
would have been so terrible had
it not been for the large number
of small and old structures in the
business district. They could
not withstand the terrible rock
ing and fell like so many card
houses. The immense Monad
nock building was rent in two
from top to bottom, but it ie?
mained standing.
"I do not believe that the loss
ot life will be so great as has been
estimated, although they, may;
have found many pinioned under!
the debris after the flames got
in their work. There were any
number of dead horses on the
streets when we tried to reach the
ferry. They belonged to haw
kers, who are out early in the
mornings and they had been
crushed by the crumbling walls.
What became of their owners I
do not know, but I suppose they
saw the danger and escaped.
"We had an awful time getting
to the ferry;. The streets were
soon blockaded and .the '..only
way to reach .Washington-street
pier was by -.taking "a circuitous
! route. ' T crosseS on the first.boat
..and the rush was not as frantic
as later on.
With no water on hand it soon
become apparent that the firemen
were incapable of checking: the
fire and they resorted to dyna
mite while we were waiting for
the departure of the ferry boat
The situation looked very
gloomy, and I began to realize
that San Francisco's great com
mercial district was doomed."
H. K. Dent, a traveling man
from Seattle, formerly ot Port
land, one fortunate enough to
get out of San Francisco, occu
pied a room in the now destroved
Palace Hotel. He said last night;
"I was awakened from a sound
sleep by the most terrific shock
that could be imagined. Plaster
from the ceiling fell like rain and
it seemed as it the entire building
would collapse. Oh, the entire
scene beggars description," he
continued.
"People rushed to the great
corridor below, some scantily at
tired, some in pajamas, and even
others n jt that well clothed. In
the lobby everything was confu
sion. Women and children, who
carried wearing apparel in their
arms, commenced to clothe them
selves, but hardly any attention
was paid to any of them. It look
ed like everyone for himself.
Alter the first few minutes every
one was apparently aware of
what had happened and the wild
est confusion fol'owed. .
"Among the hundreds that
were quartered in the Palace
Hotel were tnen)bt3t of be Con
reid Opera Company, all of whom
seemed more panic-stricken than
others. I could not understand
exactly what was said, as they
spoke in French, but if gesticu
lations could speak I could come
pretty near guessing every word
that passed between them. The
men and women of the company
were rushing about the lobby in
their night clothing, gesticulat
ing wildly, rushing up to first
one and the other, apparently
not knowing which way to turn
or what to do. '
"When I had
soaal possessions
got a few per
together and
reached the streets the sight was
horrible. Several of the dead
were stretched out on the streets,
the sidewalks were torn up in
places, the streets seemed to be
barricaded with huge piles of de
bris, and live electric wires were
hanging down everywhere.
"A regular panic seemed to
have taken hold of every one,
and men and women were
wandering around, disregarding
the tailing stones, in a dazed
manner. The greatest amount
of damage at that time appeared
to be in the downtown districts
and along the water front. I
believe that hundreds of people
lost their lives, especially those
who lived in the tenement district.
These buildings collapsed like
eggshells. I noticed one woman
apparently more than 80 years
old, crawling along the sidewalk
with blood streaming from her
head and her clothing almost
torn trom her body. This is
only one of the numerous scenes
that I observed while on my
way to the ferry.
"Policemen, however, worked
like beavers. Automobiles could
be seen on every hand, convey
ing injured persons to the hos
pitals. Every sort of vehicle
was pressed into service to carry
the dead and injured away. At
many places I had to pick my
way over heaps of rubbish, over
uprooted poles and around live
wires, in order to get to the ferry.
I reached - the ferry when the
inira ana last load ot passengers
was crossing to Oakland. I
learned that the first boat crossed
contained more than 50 persons,
the second not more than 200,
but the third and last boat tha'
was allowed by the authorities to
leave for Oakland was loaded U
the rails. ; When the extent ot
the catastrophe was realized, peo
ple by the hundreds tried to get
out of the city, but their escapt
was shut off.
"Before I left the city I believe
that I could have counted more
than a score of fires, which seem
ed to break out in every direction.
A small blaze, not larger than a
hat, would apDear in the lower
floor of a frame building, and in
an instant the structure would
be a mass of fire. Everything
appeared tQ burn like tinder
and I am not surprised to learn
that fire devastated the entire city.
Fred A. Krib?,' the well-known
lumberman, was in San Francisco
the night befoie the earthquake,
but went up to Sacramento, aud
was there when the series of
shocks occurred that wrought
such havoc. He caught the
northbound train at Davisville,
and reached here last night.
"I was at the Capital Hotel
in Sacramento," said Mr. Kribs,
in" describing the matter after his
arrival, "and was aroused from
my slumbers by the awful din
and confusion incident to the
shocks. Of course it was no
comparison to wnat tnev ex
perienced in San Francisco, but
it was certaiuly bad enough.
"The Federal building, at
Seventh and K streets, in which
are located the post-office, land
office and internal revenue
office, was badly damaged, and
other structures throughout the
city were more or less injured.
The dome of the Catholic Cathe
dral, which looms up above
that of the State Capital building,
swayed and shook like a reed,
and everybody expected it to
fall atany raomentr-. ..
"The reports from San Fran
cisco aroused intense excitement
in Sacramento, the two places
being closely identified by com
mercial and social ties. When
I left in the afternoon of Wed
nesday they were already discus
sing the feasibility of circulating
a regular petition, and I know
they will come through all light
in that respect. I feel , proud
of Portland for what she has
done in this direction, and you
can count on me for a good sub
scription.
"On the train coming up I
met several persons who were in
the midst of the earthquake in
San Francisco, all of whom gave
graphic accounts of their exper
iences. A traveling: man named
Wilkinson told me that looking
up Market street from the ferry
building it seemed as if the car
tracks had been twisted by some
gigantic human process, and
practically every building on
each side ot thoroughfare as far
as the eve could reach was out of
plumb in some way. '
"Along Kearney street, he
said the ground appeared sunken
in spots, indicating that it must
have settled badly, although far-
removed from the filled-ia dis
trict"
"I am sure the building rock
ed several feet," said John
Bentley, who with his wife and
two children were staying in the
Winchester Hotel, on Third near
Market street. "We were almost
thrown out of our beds, and then
there came a shower of plaster
and window glass. We rushed
out after having dressed hurriedly
and found things in a terrible
condition. Debris everywhere.
Dead horses here and corpses of
men there. The police called
every passing vehicle into service
and we saw wagon loads of dead
being hanled away. One auto
mobile had bodies piled up like
cord wood.
"We were on the last ferry to
leave the city, and it nearly ca
reened on account of. the throng.
In reaching the other side of the
bay, some - women were pushed
into I the water, but , I . ..believe
the jr were rescued. . -
The excitement-was terrible.
We arrived in San Francisco the
uiaht before trom Iowa,' and
knew little about the city.
"Hundreds upon hundreds
must have ; been killed in San
Francisco by the tailing buildings
nd I do not think the report
fhat full 2000 persons lost their
lives is exaggerated."
Such was the statement by
E- S. Bravman arrived at the Ho
tel Portland and when it became
known that be 1 had passed
through part of the ; terrible
catastroDhe which has befallen
the unfortunate city he was im
mediately surrounded by a large
crowd of San Franciscans, wbc
listened several hours to his nar
ration of the frightful scenes that
were enacted.
I saw only two bodies, but I
saw on my way to the ferry acres
of frame tenement ; buildiDgs
which had collapsed, undoubtedly
killing hundieds of persons,"
said he. "The horror l of j the
scene is indescrible. I was in
Sn Francisco less than an hour
after the first shook, but I must
have seen a hundred or more fires
which were raging in t iy
of the city.
"I had a room on the fourth
floor of the Occidental Hotel, and
was lying in bed awake when
the first shock came. When I
felt the building tremble I jump
ed from mv bed and opened the
door of the room. I stood in th
open door, where I was shelterei
from the tailing plaster. The
shock lasted fully two minutes,
and I only managed to remain on
my feet by holding on with ail
my strength to the sides of thf
doorway. Later other guests
told me that they were thrown
to the floor feveral times during
the shock, and that it was ab
solutely impossible for them to re
main on their teet without hold
San Francisco. Apnl 20 -
Fourteen men were killed last
niht while attempting to rob the
Vi-u.t.Nof the Mirt. The ruins
of th treasure house were beim
guarded by soldiers. A mob
tried to reach the vaults contain
ing millions of dollars, and were
shot down by the soldiers. In
the midst of the battle, which
drew up soldiers and policemen.
Officer Joseph Myers was run
through the body with a bayonet.
Before the fire Wednesday was
half a dozen hours old Mayor
Schmitz gave explicit intsruc
tions to every person doing guard
or patrol duty to shoot without
warning whoever they might set
robbing or looting. Prior to
last night's bloody work, fouT
men had been shot down in their
tracks. The attempt last evening
to rob the Mint was well planned;
beforehand. ,The building is a
mass of wreckage, and the mon
ster vaults stood out in bold re
lief in the mass of debris.
The knowledge that the steel
strong boxes contained millions in
coin and bullion was the incen
tive of the mob to try and rob
them, but the soldiers were true
to their duty, and shot down the
would-be robbers without mercy.
Dixie Jubilee Concert.
This company is backed by the
four leading Lyceum bureaus of
the U. S- and is without doubt
the leadmp; colored concert com
pany of America.
Hon. W. J. Bryan says cf
them: "They are fine singers,
besides they are splendid enter
tainers."
Hear them this evening at 8 p
m. at the Presbyterian churcl
Tickets on sale at Graham
Kfl ppnhc
.. ,
Fine enrly Dert seed corn at Zit
roifa. 35tf
Foley's ICidneyCuri
4micem
. j1
SOME POINTS ABOUT
SCARF PINS
won't hurt you, if you intend to buy, and
get the points of me.
"A SCARF PIN POINT"
you get at my jewelry establishment is of
genuine value. Convince yourself by
looking over that lot of new 1906 scarf
pins just received. I have them "fruity,"
and of "simple elegance." Price in each
instance is extremely low.
Albert J. Metzger
WATCHMAKER
Occidental Building, - - - Oorvallis
Figure any way you will. The man or woman who
makes a purchase at our store actually saves money. We do
not claim that all our goods are sold at cost, but we do claim
that our customers are not deceived That our goods are sold
only at a profit consistent with the times, and that marking
some goods AWAY UP and some AWAY DOWN is not
allowed in our store. A SQUARE DEAL to everybody is
our motto. -
Before commencing house
our prices (all m plain hgures) and see what we have in
FURNITURE, CARPETS,
MATTING, WALL PAPER,
LINOLEUM, ETC.
LARGE LINE OF COUCHES.
GRANITE
and..
TINWARE
HDtLENBERG 8 CADY.
A Specialty
We are making a specialty in the form of the latest and most
up-to-date eye glass mounting, ever offered to the public. J
This eye glass mounting is "The Heard'' guaranteed to stay on
where others absolutely fail.
If you care to investigate call at my store any time. . -
E. W. S. PRATT, Jeweler and Optician.!
SEEING IS BELIEVING
Then come in and see my line of Sporting Goods and be con
vinced that it is the best and most complete line ever brought
to your city, consisting of Guns and Ammunition, Fishing Tackle,
Base-ball Goods, Bicycles and Sundries, Pocket Knives, Razors,
Sewing Machine Supplies, etc Gasoline and Dry Cells for sale.
Agent for the Olds Gasoline Engines and Automobiles :
Guns and Bicycles For Rent. First-class Repair Shop.
XI. M. LONG,
Ind. Phone 1
CORVALLIS,
Ind. Phone 126
O. C. Hlomtand.
GQRVALUS STEAM LAUNDRY.
Patronize Homo industry
Outside Order Solicited.
AH Work Guaranteed.
j Take. The Gazette for all the
!
I Just Becaure.
Your rough is only in the throat and
rii-es not trouble yon now, don't think
that it aeeda no attention. When it has
not had much of a start is - the
time to check- it. The elightesf. cough
easily lead pneumonia, - bronchitis,
and eoniumption. A bottle of Ballard's
Bartheaada 9 tap will core that congb.
Tea prie earn it withia - reach of all.
BM a MRia
SPENCER'S
Hair Invigorates
And Dandruff Eradfcator
3 5e
3.5-
C9
Trail Dark Bagisterei!,
Price, - jFitty Cents;
Manufactured by
The Vegetable Compound Company
Corvallis, Oregon ?t
ESS
cleaning drop in look over
NEW LINE OF GO-CARTS.
STOVES
and .
RANGES
Residence 324
OREGON.
I
Chas. Btakel,
,t
ICORVALLiS,
OREGON.
CASTORIA
For Infants and Children.
The Kind You Have- Always Bought'
Bears the
Signature of l
fee -
IT
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Mft mfm, mmre- -a mmlmUfS