Pittston Gazette

              I ■ i .* » WEATUElt CONDITIONS. 5 y. THE HOME PAPER /  iD . ▲ I Forecast Until 8 p. m. Tomorrow for Eastern Pennsylvania. for the People of PI Its ton anil Vicinity, Pair tonight and Friday; yartahlfl winds. AM the h6me new.-., 56TH YEAR. C T* N vv v ESTABLISHED 1880. \ BY Til ICO. HART 1882, PITTSTON, PA., THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 1906' two ck.nts A COP*. t rjrrvr i)»/tpo FOKTX CKNTH A MONTH. f X JLiJ IN f 'A.U J jto WHOLE CITY DOOMED SEEMS TO BE TO DESTRUCTION them had been provided with blankets, and these were used to make the women and children as comfortable as possible within such shelter as could bif found in I he park pavilions. Even here there was believed to be danger, as some of the park buildings were ruined by the earthquake yesterday arid many people are still in mortal dread of a recurrence of yesterday's terrible work of havoc by the mighty forces of nature. The people living in the May's Valley removed their household goods to the streets, whence they were carlcd to the outskirts of the city. They believed that they were safer there thun In the streets of the eity, where they were surrounded by high buildings. The owners of automobiles have placed them at the disposal of the people to aid in the removal of household goods. Everybody who can do so Is preparing to leave the city. Tlvfs Impression generally prevails that the whole city will be destroyed, as nothing can be done toward preventing t'he progress of the destructive tires,-,which are sweeping along street after street. Down town everything is already In ruins. Not a single business house but has been either destroyed or damaged. The theater buildings have crumbled into ruins and the newspaper plants are useless. No attempts have been made to publish any of the newspapers. It \yould be worse than idle to attempt to do so, as one newspaper is as badly off as another, and there Is no assistance to be had. The property loss is estimated anywhere between $100,- 000.000 and $200,000,000. No definite estimate can be made until the eonfusion has ended and a partial accounting can be made of the buildings In the zone of the earthquake and fires. On every side death and suffering! are to be found. During yesterday afternoon three ghouls who were\caught robbing were shot dead, in accordance with the instructions given to the soldiers by the mayor of the city. Desperate attempts were made to with-, stay the progress of the flames at various points by dynamiting certain buildings that stood in the path of the devastating elements, and great gaps were made In solid blocks by the use of dynamite, hut these gaps finally became useless, as the flamfs Increased In intensity. The fire leaped the gaps as though they were but a window or a door. The brave firefighters However, have not given up the struggle, but are continuing to work in reliefs, many being compelled to seek needed rest in order to recuperate strength to go oh with the battle. By six o'clock last evening, nearly all or the big modern buildings in the business section of the city were In ruins. The flames then spread toward the north, the residence section, where they are now leaping from building to building In their mad onward rush of destruction, I" 'he City Hall every document of record was lost by tire. The great Mechanics' Pavilion, an Immense structure that had been used for at number of years for great public gatherings of a political and religious nature was turned into a temporary hospital and morgue yesterday, but during the night the flames reached the building, and just as It caught fire the dea'l and wounded were removed from the place. Dozens of womer. are fainting continually in the streets, and the men are compelled to give their attention to caring for these hilpless ones. Everywhere scenes are being SCALE COMMITTEE TO HOLD MEETING FIRE FIEND CONTINUES ITS DEVASTATION THE INSURANCE LOSS WILL BE MILLIONS Cilll Issued Today for Miners' leaders to AshtiiiIiK in Wllkesbarre Next Wednesday The scale committee of I lie miners' union will meet next Wednesday morning in Wilkesbarre to take ac* tlon on the answer of the operators to the last proposition of the miners. All Efforts to Withstay the Progress of the Flames Have Many of the Eastern Companies Have Been Hit Hard by The call for the meeting was issued from Indianapolis this morning by President John Mitchell. He will come to Wllkesbarre to preside over the meeting. the Disaster, but It is Stated With Author- Been Unavailing, and They are Now Sweep- ing Through the Rich Residential Section of Nob Hill. ity That Their Policy With Regard to Adjustments Will be Liberal. Much interest is manifested In this meeting and its outcome will be closely watched. The committee will consider the operators' answer and decide whether there will be more conferences or whether a call for a joint convention of the miners will be Issued. SOME OF THE COMPANIES ARE PROTECTED BY EARTHQUAKE CLAUSES DEAD AND INJURED MAY NUMBER 10,000 PROPERTY LOSS ESTIMATED AT $300,000,000 SCRANTON WOMAN DIED YESTERDAY. Notwithstanding the Efforts of the Civil Authorities and But it is Announced that These Clauses Will Not Bs En- the Federal Troops, Chaos Prevails, and Mrs. T. It. Finley, Quite Well Known forced—No Technicalities Will be Raised— Strong Man Break Down at Scenes Here, Dead—Was Miss O'Mallcy Under State Law, Buildings Dyna- Hel'orc Marriage, of Death and Destruction Mrs. T. B. Finley, of Hornnton, wife of the well known dry goods merchant, died yesterday afternoon at her home. Mrs. Finley was quite well known In this city, having visited here at different periods some years ago. He fore her marriage she was a Miss O' Ma I ley. She was a cousin of Mrs. JO. A. Nolan, of flailroad street. The fu'ieral id to be held Friday afternoon at 11 o'clock and will be private. mited Must be Paid For Today's reports from the city of San Francisco? stricken with earthquake and tire, but intensify tlie horrors of the situation. The numerous tires which started yesterday, soon after building after building toppled as a result of the upheaval of the earth's surface, have''continued to spread. Despite desperate attempts to stay the progress of the tlames/by dynamiting buildings in their path, the lire, leaps across the gaps as though they were but doors or windows. Bv nightfall last night the business section of the city had been reduced to ruins, the Mint alone escaping the fury of the flames, and the tire has since been sweeping through I lie shipping and residence sections. The flames have reached as far as Nob Hill, the magnificent residence section, and block after block of the finest residences in the city are being laid in ruins. Kvery report (hat comes adds to the indications that the whole city is doomed to destruction. The dynamite having become exhausted, less than before can be done to withstay the progress of the flames. Chaos prevails in the city. Martial law has not been proclaimed, but the federal troops are co-operating with the civil authorities to maintain order and afford relief. The inhabitants are leaving by thousands as rapidly as means can be provded to take them away. But two buildings of the Leland Stanford University ratnain intact. San Jose suffered a property loss of 000,0(X). I lundreds lost their lives in the destruction of an asylum at Santa Clara. Other towns below San Francisco suffered much damage and some loss of life. Congress today made an appropriation of $600,000 for the relief of the sufferers and other generous subscriptions are pouring in from individuals all over the country. New York, April 10.—Never were fire underwriters so bewildered as to their probable loss in a catastrophe as when they tried to estimate the magnitude of their liability for the "California earthquake. Several conservative underwriters agreed that the property value of the collapse and burned areas will probably aggregate $100,000,000. :igc "occasioned by earthquake Offi- cials of these companies were busy yesterday examining the question as to how far this clause would exempt them from loses by resultant tires. The general disposition. however, was that the companies Would raise no technicalities, but wherever there could be the slightest question the benefit of the doubt would he given to the policy holder. BEAT FOREIGNER WITH IRON BAR Two Itupont PolaiHles Sent to the A comparison with the Baltimore fire of Feb. 7. 1904, was instantly drawn in insurance circles, in that conflagration, $70,000,000 worth of property was destroyed, and the loss which eventually fell upon the insur- One official of the New York Board of Fire Underwriters said: enacted Hint are causing' brave and strong hearted men to bow and weep. Strong men were driven baek by the police while their homes were Roln* The latest dispatch from the stricken elty in tCD tin- elTVet Two Itnpont Polundcrs Sent to the "Buildings partly demolished by earthquake and then destroyed by fire are no doubt entitled to Investigation by the companies, which wherever possible will give policy holders every benefit, as they did in the Johnstown flood. In that disaster one building was carried a mile away by the flood and then took fire. Despite a flood clause, the Insurance upon (lie building was paid. . uji In stnoki Keating, that the llamos are now moving to the eastward ance companies was $39,000,000. approximately Mre liruilMs NolD Hill Michael and Stanley Poraeh, two Dupont I'olanders, were sent to the county jjiil last night by 'Squire Keating In default ot $500 ball each. The charge against the brothers was assault and battery with intent to kill. The prosecutor was John Hrandis. who claimed that the defendants beat him with an Iron bar. He was so severely Injured that it was necessary to use eight stitches on his scalp. Between that disaster and yesterday's there was the one great difference In the fact that I be fire underwriters are not liable for losses caused by (he earthquake itself. But as for the damage to buildings which collapsed partly and then look tire underwriters were uncertain during the day. As to the blocks of buildings which escaped the earthquake and then were burned the estimates were clearer. Han Francisco, April It*.—Kire has reached Nob Hill, tile cent city's most fashionable residence district, and there Is Imminent danger tliat immense damage will be dona. as there Is still no means for the staying of .If till llu- Ilium The Falrmount Hotel, a magnificent new li-•«••( erected by llio Oelrlohs, in now In (lames, "According to the California statutes. when the municipal authorities decide to blow up buildings with dynamite to stay a fire, the companies arc liable for the dynamited buildings as well." )Dis|uilC'li IY0111 (iciH'ral Fmiston Washington, April lit.—The following was received from General Funston this morning: "Han Francisco, April 1!D.—To the Military Secretary. Washington: Your dispatches received. Have already tiled several to you. Impossible to inform you as to the full extent of the disaster. The city is practically destroyed. Troops have been aiding the police. Martini law has not been declared. We are working in conjunction with the civil au- QUIET WEDDING. California is not what is called among Insurance men a "standard policy" Stale, and for many years most lire insurance policies Issued upon tile Few companies had any information here beyond the meagre news dispatches. but so far as they could estimate the extent of the damage the losses upon insured property were not expected to exceed 30 per cent, of the total damage by earthquake and fire. When the tire has been conquerer and the insurance officials are able to open their vaults in the ruins the first exact knowledge will become available.Ilnrry Pursell antl .Miss Josephine Barber Took Marriage Vows property there contained a specific clause exempting from liability for wreckage through earthquakes. Within a few years most of the companies writing the bulk of San Francisco Insurance ha\'e used the New York standard policy, which contains only one clause in any way bearing upon liability for earthquake damage. That clause is as follows: You cannot send too many tents or rations. About 200,000 Food Is vohy scarce. Provisions in the houses nil destroyed, government buildings in the city except the? mint are gone." thorltlcs. at Home of Hrlde, homelcs: Harry Pursell. of Cornelia street, and Miss Josephine Huber, of Mill street, were married last evening at 8 o'clock at the home of the bride. The ceremony was a quiet one and was Witnessed by the relatives of the bride and groom and a few invited friends. Rev. Theophllus 55uber, pastor of St. John's Lutheran church, was the officiating clergyman. The home was prettily decorated for the occasion with (lowers and greens. The bride wore a handsome gown and made a charming appearance. Her maid was Miss Elizabeth Huber, her sister, who was also very prettily dressed. The groomsman was Joseph Newton. The bride is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Huber and has been a lifelong resident of this city. Mr. Pursell is a machinist at Coxton. Mr. and Mrs. Pursell will shortly commence housekeeping and in the meantime will reside at the bride's home. The D1 iiii itiiililing Savi'd Washington, April 19.—Director Roberts, of the mint, received a telegram this morning telling of the gallant fight which resulted In the saving of the Kan Francisco mint and its contents of three hundred millions worth of coin, and bullion. The mint building, according to lhe telegram. Is the "If a building or any part thereof fall, except as the result of fire, all Insurance by this policy on such building or its tenants shall immediately cease." At the top of the list of ninety-seven fire insurance companies, which are licensed to do business in the State of California, is the Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, of San Francisco. The other big California Company, the Home Fire and Marine Insurance Company, Is also heavily affected. only building standlpg in thai part of the town Dead and Injured May Number 10,000. The following dispatch from Superintendent Leach tells how the Mint building was saved: "Mint building is not damaged much by shock, but the big smoke stacks were badly shaken and may have to come down, but not sure about it now. Every building around the mint burned to the ground. It is the only building not destroyed for blocks. I reached building before worst of fire came; finding a lot of our men, then stationed them at points San Francisco, April 19.—It looks now as tf the entire city will be consumed. The Are is sweeping the residence section and threatens to destroy all property which escaped the earthquake. Five thousand are dead as a result of the terrible holocaust. Soldiers are shooting down many ghouls caught robbing the dead or looting the wreckage of property. The loss is increasing hourly and will reach $.10(1,00(1,Odd. Earlier estimates of the dead now seem to have been sadly underestimated. Many believe I he roll of the Some companies have an old-fashioned policy which exempts from dam- ier Towns Suffer. Jose the Vendome hotel annex was Ten or fifteen persona were killed. The Doherty block was enwoman being killed. Every business building- is de- San .Iusb ami Ot April of vantage from roof to basement, and with our fire apparatus and help from fire department, we successfully fought the fire away, although the windows on Mint avenue and back side third story were burned out IvO.x AngoleK, At San Fire wrecked tirely consumed dead and injured will reach lO.ifMO coming in drove us back for a time. Adjusting rooms and refinery damaged some, and heavy stone cornice on that side of the building melted off. The molished Martial law has been declared. It is estimated that 50 were Passengers arriving from other villages bring tidings of death - at Santa Cruz, Monterey, Gilroy and Holllster. Congress Votes $C100,000 for Relief killed hen Washington, April 19.—-Immediately after convening this morning the House voted an appropriation of $600,00(1 for the relief of the San Fran ciseo sufferers, to be expended under the direction of the Secretary of War roof burned some and disaster Pendulum Indicated Trouble A prll The City In Chaos. from. Pittsburg:, April 19.—That the vibrations caused by the San Francisco earthquake were distinctly felt in Pittsburg was demonstrated by the large Foueault pendulum. which hangs from the ceiling of the laboratory of the Carnegie Technical school, Schenley Park. At 8:52 yesterday morning the students and professors were surprised to see the pendulum change Its usual easy motion, caused by the movement of the earth, to short, spasmodic vibrations, Dwfjich caused the big pendulum to swing rapidly back and forth. The professors announced this phenomenon was caused by some disturbance of the earth's surface, and soon afterward came news of the disaster. Injured People Humeri to IK'atli. who is authorized to employ steamers and other means of transportation to carry supplies to the stricken city. . / haustion [ire sleeping under wagons. The water supply is nil anit dynamite has given out. so that buildings cannot be blown up In the effort to stop the flames. Excitement Is greater this morning than yesterday and the people are helpless from fear. Women and men are fainting in the streets, while families have become separated, driving parents to distinction for fear of the safety of their little ones. Everything Is chaos. The situation could not be worse unless u volcano began pouring lava over the striek" Oakln nd SojnC 19.—Firemen are dropping at every point ex- San Francisco, April 1!».—Soldiers with fixed bayonets are now preventing refugees from leaving the city. Many injured have been burned to death as they lay helpless on cots In the hospitals. It Is feared that within the next twenty-four hours the city will be but a waste of smouldering ucnerul Story of tlie Disaster Los Angeles, Cal,, April 19.—At least 2,000 lives have been list as a result of yesterday's earthquake in Han Francisco and the lires that followed the disturbance of the earth's surface in that city. It is with great difficulty that the hospitals, asylums and various other charitable institutions that have thrown open their doors are able to care for the Injured. Many hundreds, with more or less serious injuries, hftve been treated already. A state of panic still prevails among the people of the city who have escaped thus far bodily Injury. Even those whose homes or business places have not yet been affected by the earthquakes or tires have been infected with fear, and they are fleeing from the city, leaving behing their property, as rapidly as accommodations can be provided for them. Every means of transportation leading out of the city is being crowded to its utmost capacity by the refugees. The (lames 1iave run along a path in a triangular circuit .since they started morning. The lire jockeyed as the day waned, leaving the business section of the city devastated, and skipped in a dozen different directions to thin residence section of the city. By nightfall last night it had made its way over to what is known as the North Beach section. This Is the shipping section, down by the bay shore. Prom this district, the fire went over the hills toward the Third and Townsend street warehouses and manufacturing establishments, many of which fell a prey to the flames. This completed the work of destruction In the territory south of Market street. How far south the flames extended 'has not yet "been ascertained, as that part of the city Is rou'i' off from the main part of the city and there Is no means of communication. After dark last night thousands of people, who had been driven from their homes by the disaster, made their'way to Golden Gate Park. Some of ashef Mrs. Herman (Tail-) Oclrit-lis Rnineri Financially en metropolis. April 19.—"Practically all my properly is In ruins. I can't give aid. because now I'm as poor as any one else." Thus spoke Mrs. Herman Oelrichs this morning, who, before her marriage, was Miss Fair, of California. She is prostrated today at her Fifth avenue home over anxiety flor her relatives and friends and the loss of a great part of her fortune In the Han Francisco disaster.. Now York A Scene of Ifc-uth aiul Destruction New York, April 19.—The Hock Island railroad received the following from San Francisco: "Day dawned on a scene of death and destruction. The tlamrs have consumed the city's finest structures and have skipped in a dozen different directions," I Malls WIN bo Delayed, Hundreds Dead in ltiilns of. Asylum. $50,000 . Olft to Itolicf Fund. New York, April 1ft.—Railroad and mall service from San Francisco will be delayed for several days as a result of the damage to railroad property wrought by the California earthquake. Coupled with damage to rallf-oad property i.s the destruction of the city's new postofllce building, making the handling and dispatching of mail a problem which the department Is bending every effort to solve. Reports received at the Southern Pacific local offices slated that tracks arid equipment were badly damaged. Information reached E. L. West, superintendent of the railway osall service, that conditions In the stricken city were worse than at first reported in Chicago. "Mail service from San Francisco will be hampered almost beyond description," said Mr. West. "Incoming malls from China, Japan and other foreign malls will have to be landed at some other port. Tljls will result In a delay of several days on malls for eastern points. There -are two main dispatches of mall .from San Francisco dally. Los Angeles, April 19.—Advices received here state that all but two of the university buildings at Iceland Stanford university are in ruins. One huridVed and fifty bodies have been recovered from the ruin* of the St. Agnes insane asylum, near Santa Clara. As many more are in the ruins. New York, April 19.—M. Guggenheim's Sons, the copper magnates, this mornjng wired $50,000 to ths Oakland bank, in Oakland, Cal., with instructions to place it at the disposal of General Funston for relief purposes. Fire Engines Useless. Washington. April 19.—The Western Union Telegraph company has received the following telegram from San Francisco: "Outside cities have been sending engine#, to assist in subduing, the flames, but It has been found useless on account of there being no water, and the engines are being returned to Oakland and other points. The firemen report the city to be Americans in Txindoit Will Subscribe. London, April 19.—'The Arherlcans In London will hold a meeting tomorrow and subscribe to the fund for the relief of the sufferers in San Francisco. United States Ambassador Held will collect the subscriptions. doomed."