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Newspaper
Indianapolis Sun
Location
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
Date
Apr 18, 1906
Page
1
Dr Martin overseeing the government apparatus dismisses any link to Mount Vesuvius eruption, noting the tremors began thousands of miles away in the Pacific Ocean beyond San Francisco at 12 30.
Astronomer notes danger in sun spots while Scripps-McRae bureau records a long tremor in Washington DC. Seismograph shows severe shaking lasting hours, origin likely thousands of miles away beyond San Francisco, possibly South America, with no link to Mount Vesuvius eruption.
Rev Father Pred Willig of St Johns College links California earthquakes the Mt Vesuvius eruption and a coming Pacific ocean wave to sun spot activity. He notes sun spots influence on Earth is not well understood but growing study aims to clarify their effects.
A powerful earthquake in San Francisco struck shortly after 7:13 a m locally, while many workers had just begun their day in Indianapolis. The San Francisco message notes the quake was at 7 41 a m in Indianapolis, two hours earlier than San Francisco’s local time.
Reports from ASHPFORK, A. T., April 18 say the first tremor hit at 5 10 PM local time. Many structures toppled in all directions and collapsed across the city, with widespread damage observed.
Reports indicate a colossal disaster with up to seven hundred dead bodies recovered and property losses reaching 36,000,000. San Francisco and Sacramento are named as chief sufferers as fires spread and buildings collapse across the area. Rescue crews work to reach the injured.
Prof Ira R Hicks warns seismic disturbance will continue until June or solstice end and may be felt worldwide including St Louis. Fresna reports Pacific coast quake as the most disastrous in history with thousands of buildings wrecked and fires racing near the Palace Hotel.
Captains Asch and Bray, returning from San Francisco with Paul V. SkHiman, recount San Francisco quake humor amid devastation. They note Californias redwood buildings slow fires, water scarce for firefighting, and Golden Lake Park as a water source.
Bliss, local manager of Western Union Telegraph, reports the San Francisco earthquake as the worst ever on the Pacific coast. The note reflects early 20th century telegraph dispatch from April 18.
At a Wednesday meeting the Hour of Public Safety announced additions to the police force with George A. Hanks Elmer Dunbar C. Garinger Oscar Merrill James W. Crabtrer Harley Reed Mal Martner Lawrence Hartnell Martin P. Shey Lowe Westphal and L R Faraythn among those examined but not hired Others listed include Annie B Adams John Crap E O Streeter James H Simmons Theodore E Chamniss Thomas Degnan Dennis Donovan and more as part of council recommendations.
Kay Jones, press agent for the Grand opera house, recalls three earthquake shocks in San Francisco. The strongest hit about ten years ago while he worked for the San Francisco Chronicle. He felt the reporters’ room tremble as the building shook and toppled signs afterward, leaving a mix of fear and eerie calm.
The strongest quake in 15 years struck Sacramento at 5:16 AM. Aftershocks lasted three minutes with tremors felt citywide. No injuries reported though cracks appeared in the federal building and plaster fell in unfinished structures. Telegraph lines to outside points were down for three hours amid panic and anxiety.
The Sun will publish an extra edition at six o clock tonight from San Francisco with the latest news.
California’s seismic record spans from 1790 with San Francisco repeatedly shaken. From 1851 to 1851 multiple quakes struck, including a long October 4 event lasting over 12 hours. Cities like San Francisco, San Jose, Stockton, Santa Cruz, and Santa Barbara felt the shocks, with fatalities noted but earthquakes often more frequent than deadly.
Weather bureau instruments noted no quake, while a school instrument reported a slight tremor early morning. No damage reported as authorities investigate the discrepancy.
A Sacramento telegraph message reports a west coast quake at 1 a.m. causing clocks to halt, rail cars overturned on main lines, and telegraph wires torn. Fires and damage feared in Berkeley and surrounding areas near Oakland.
A rough notice describes a Sunday April trip by steam and wire train power from Indianapolis to Thede Somlay via the Indianaoll y Northwestern and Clover Leaf lines. The timetable mentions a night start in Indianapolis and morning arrival, with traction details incomplete.
London April 1 British destroyer Robert War rammed by torpedo boat near Malaching maneuvers. destroyer sank with the gunner killed and the crew seeking safety as emergency measures unfolded.
In the business district a mains burst left streets flooded and buildings wrecked. Fire crews struggled as there was no water to fight the blazes. Residents and workers evacuated while authorities investigated the cause.
San Francisco citizens faced a catastrophic quake at 6 o clock this morning, with hundreds killed or missing and fire consuming major structures. The disaster damaged the Postal and Hobart buildings, merchants exchange, and Examiner blocks, while Oakland and Berkeley reported tremors. rescue teams battle flames amid collapsing water mains and collapsing brick and timber homes.
A chaotic scene unfolds as quakes and flames strike the Seripor Meline Prean Association in Chicago. Reports mention a ferry tower damaged, waterworks under threat, and crowds fleeing toward docks. Amid smoke and chaos a clerk and others are injured or dead as ships and streets suffer impacts.
New York dispatch reports from Hutton & Co noting the San Pramisen earthquake devastates San Jose city, with a vast fire seen from the high elevation about 25 miles from Frisco. Estimated casualties cited at 1,100, with 143 a.m. time reference.
Portland dated dispatch reports a major fire at the San Francisco exchange tied to the Mills building and a collapsing dome. Fires spread, blocks are ruined, churches and notable structures destroyed, and chaos ensues with panic and evacuation to Oakland and other safe points. Police and fire losses include Fire Chief Sullivan and a policeman killed. Troops are ordered out as the city suffers widespread damage and debris blocks streets.
A Postal Telegraph report describes San Francisco earthquake damage, with extensive ruin south of Market Street and a large fire zone covering Sansom to the bay. Many blocks destroyed on Main, Beal, Tremont and other streets. thousands homeless as troops protect order. Deaths listed around 3,000, with rail service disrupted and ground subsidence near Kearny and in the Chinatown area.
Washington April 18 The War Department reported communications with San Francisco after a quake. Early word said the disaster was great with over 1,000 killed and many injured. Water supply cut off, fires breaking out, fears of a general conflagration as rescuers began work.
A large earthquake disrupted wiring across Ogden Utah on April 18. Wires of the Chien Pavifie line west of the city were reported down with damage extending several hundred miles, affecting communication and transportation networks in the area.
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