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Newspaper
Washington Post
Location
Washington, Washington Dc, United States of America
Date
Apr 19, 1906
Page
18
The great quake wrecked San Francisco and sparked fires that raged through the business district. Officials warn of massive losses, with thousands homeless and hundreds killed, as martial law is imposed and rescue efforts begin amid widespread destruction of hotels, offices, and streets.
Special to The Washington Post reports a powerful earthquake in San Francisco followed by a raging fire. Water mains broken, telegraph down, martial law in effect, morgue crowded, and fires advancing toward residential areas. Residents flee to hills as explosions light the flames.
A massive earthquake devastates San Jose halting all commerce as every building is damaged and up to fifty killed. Santa Rosa Santa Cruz Monterey Gilroy Hollister suffer widespread destruction with tens of thousands left homeless. Main streets lie buried under debris while the courthouse and post office lie in ruins and the death toll climbs toward the hundreds.
London papers lead with San Francesco disaster overshadowing other stories. Reports recount earthquake and volcanic links, include interviews with San Franciscans in London, and cite scientists Milne and Magnder weighing connections to Mount Vesuvius activity and solar factors.
An early report from Oakland dated April 1 at 9 pm says San Francisco is ablaze with the fire sweeping the area south of Market Street. The fire surrounds the water front and mission districts, leaving vast blocks engulfed and seemingly lost to the flames. A dispatch from New York dated April 18 notes the Montgomery street area and surrounding blocks along Pine and Lastsome streets are aflame, with remaining portions along the waterfront doomed.
An incomplete tally shows numerous structures damaged or destroyed in San Francisco. The list names HMARS1 and other buildings like IR WHITE HOUSE, WIRCHESTIR HOTEL, GRAND OPERA HOUSE, ST LUKE S CHURCH, MEGIANTOS LIBRARY, CAMIDORMIA HOWE, SAN FRANCO GAS, UNION CLUB, ST SOMAXIC CHURCH, SHIP CONCORDIA CLUB BUILDING, and HOTEL QUINATE with major to total losses, walls cracked, roofs collapsed, and repairs or relocation required. The claimed parish and street locations include Van Ness, Pine and Batters, Bush Street, Post and Stockton, and Redwood city references. A total municipal loss is estimated at about $500,000.
A late April San Francisco report lists numerous victims from a deadly building collapse. Names span multiple streets including Sacramento Langdon and Folsom, with ages and occupations noted for some. The partial tally includes children, police officers, a physician, and locals such as Annie Whelan Myrtle Mintz and Geronimo Stagman, among others.
Victor Meteelf secretary of commerce and labor fears for relatives in Oakland where he has family. Representative Gillett of California reports daughters at Palo Alto University and Mills College likely impacted by the quake. Representative Lacey of Iowa notes daughter Mrs Breusler at the St Nicholas Hotel amid disaster. Swann Sela Today notes many Swann collection items at Stan's starting at 11 o'clock with No 1 on the catalogue.
Governor George C. Pardee thanks President Roosevelt for aid after San Francisco disaster. Sacramento dispatch says telegraphic limits hinder full damage assessment but California floods of support, state troops on duty, and request for federal assistance if needed. April correspondence from Sacramento to Washington noted.
A Vienna telegram from the government observatory in Laibach notes from 2:85 to 2:59 pm the seismograph logged a distant earthquake of great force and destruction. Indications show disturbances far more violent than those in Formosa, with a time difference to San Francisco of about five hours and six minutes, suggesting a near-simultaneous shock with the San Francisco event.
A special train carrying about seventy five doctors and nurses departed Los Angeles for San Francisco on the Southern Pacific. A similar number offered services but were turned away due to lack of accommodation on the train. Another train with more nurses and police is to leave tonight.
A War Department bulletin from Oakland reports four men shot at close range while robbing the dead as troops patrol the streets. Panic spreads from San Jose to Santa Clara County as thousands fear for families and shelter, with fires destroying Army Headquarters and the Mint area.
Reports from the East claim Los Angeles was jolted by the San Francisco earthquake. Officials clarify no Southern California shocks occurred. Mayor McAlear of Lex Affectes joins San Francisco’s mayor in coordinating potential aid as City Council seeks guidance on needed assistance.
San Francisco reports the Cliff House, a famed pleasure resort on solid rock, has been washed into the sea. The building is leveled to the foundation with only rock remaining along the coast. Auction notices for Swann estate, Knabe baby grand piano, and Terra Cotta Faience window boxes are listed for Friday at noon at 1407 G Street. J H Corning, 520-522 Wisconsin NW.
A devastating earthquake centered near Agnew devastates multiple California towns. Santa Rosa flames, Napa Vallejo losses, and Palo Alto casualties reported. Stanford University housing damaged. two people killed, several injured or missing. damages run into millions across Santa Rosa, Napa, Vallejo, Salinas, Monterey, Hollister, and Watsonville with aftershocks continuing into the afternoon.
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