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REFUGEES GO TO OAKLAND

OAKLAND, April 18,—Thousands of refugees, rendered homeless by the terrible calamity which has overtaken San Francisco, have come to this city to escape from the terrors across the bay. On learning of this the Realty Syndicate at once offered Idora Park for the use of those left without shelter by the earthquake. The offer has been gratefully accepted by the Police and Fire Commissioners, and two hundred cots have been placed in the theater for use of the refugees. Relief stations have also been established at the City Hall, and at the varous public parks throughout the city.

Other relief stations have been established in such of the churches throughout the city as are considered safe for use as such.

Mayor Frank K. Mott has issued the following appeal to the people of Oakland to aid the authorities in preserving peace and order:

“To the People of Oakland:

“The earthquake this morning visited upon our city a great calamity, yet it is a source of much satisfaction that we were spared from a conflagration and a serious loss of life. The officials of the city have the situation well in hand but I desire to appeal to the people to co-operate wth the authorities in maintaining peace and order.

“As many buildings are in an unsafe condition the public are admonished to keep off the streets, and particularly warned against congregating in groups. It is also very essential that precaution be used in the building of fires until the chimneys have been inspected and repaired. Those who have not either gas or oil stoves are advised that danger may be avoided by moving their stoves out of doors.

“FRANK K. MOTT, Mayor.”

Chief N.A. Ball, of the Oakland Fire Department, has made the following suggestions to householders regarding fires in houses the chimneys of which have fallen:
“Build no fires in coal stoves, grates or fire places until the interior of the chimneys has been inspected, cleaned out and put in repair. In many places where the chimneys appear to be all right, they may have cracks in the interior or may have stopped up with refuse, which might cause a blind fire.”
While the earthquake was at its height, the two smokestacks at the gas works at the foot of Grove street fell, crashing through the roof of the works, crushing the boiler and killing one of the firemen, whose identity has not yet been learned.

The force of the earthquake has caused the Twelfth street dam, opposite the boathouses on Lake Merritt, to sink eighteen inches.

A report comes from Martinez that the Martinez Bank Building, one of the finest structures in the town, has been completely destroyed.

It is at present impossible to estimate the amount of damage to property in this city, owing to the fact that practically no inspection has been made of the buildings, except by Fire Warden George McDonald, and this only for the purpose of condemning those where are unsafe and must be torn down. Many of the structures which from the outside show little apparent damage, on closer examination prove to have been so badly twisted and racked by the shock that it is feared they will have to be torn down.

The Call=Chronicle=Examiner
April 19, 1906
Return to the 1906 Earthquake Exhibit.