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Newspaper
Aberdeen Herald
Location
Aberdeen, Washington, United States of America
Date
Apr 23, 1906
Page
2
Chaos grips San Francisco as a massive earthquake shatters the city, followed by uncontainable fires. Martial law, ruined docks, collapsed city hall, and extensive destruction leave Oakland and surrounding areas reeling while troops and dynamite efforts try to halt the blaze.
A Western Union bulletin from San Francisco reports total destruction of the Western Union and Southern Pacific buildings. Fire spreads up the hill from McAllister to Battery and Market streets, water supply is exhausted, wind rises, and authorities ban entry to the city amid severe food and water shortages.
Fire swept through San Francisco overnight destroying warehouses and homes in South of Market and extending toward North Beach and Third and Townsend streets. The city reports many buildings burned with total losses estimated between 150 and 200 million dollars as thousands flee to Golden Gate Park and the beach for shelter.
Washington April 19. Secretary Taft telegram to Gen Funston states 200000 rations will be sent from Vancouver Barracks to aid 20 000 people amid hunger and potential unrest. He says to do everything possible to assist keeping order and saving life and property, with further orders on tents and troops forthcoming.
Tomorrow all railway and tele graphic facilities around San Francisco are reported badly damaged and demoralized. Officers will accompany rations to ensure prompt forwarding with in touch kept with you. Taft ordered hospital and tent supplies sent by express from multiple locations with remaining shipments from Philadelphia depot. Details on burned areas and conditions are limited.
Reports from California describe a major seismic event that wrecked Santa Rosa and surrounding towns. The four story courthouse and most business buildings lie in ruins as residents flee to fields and hills. Aid and casualty figures remain unconfirmed as devastation spreads across Sonoma and neighboring counties.
A long distance telegram from Salinas reports 120 bodies removed from St. Agnes asylum near Santa Clara with about 150 more feared buried in the ruins. The grand building was razed in the disaster.
President Roosevelt orders all departments to aid San Francisco after Gov Pardee reports the city needs tents rations bedding and supplies for up to one hundred thousand people. The White House confirms tents and rations are dispatched and bedding and other supplies will be arranged by the War Department.
The Western addition area west of Franklin Street to the Presidio will be saved. The stand at Van Ness Avenue was generally successful with flames crossing that avenue to the west in only a few places.
San Jose reports ten people killed in the quake. The hall of records and the hall of justice are wrecked and all main buildings suffer severe damage.
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