vivid. The
lower part of the city was a hell-like furnace. Even from that distance
we could hear the roar of the flames and the crash of falling beams. We
were paralyzed for a moment with the wonder of it. Then we began to run,
run hard, down the slope toward the city. It was impossible for us to
see our homes, for many hills intervened. Soon we reached the outskirts
of the town. Fear grew stronger and stronger in my heart as I saw that
all the chimneys of the houses were littering the streets through which
we passed. They were of brick and so was my father's house.

The trip across the city seemed endless, even though we strained every
effort to hurry. I had had no breakfast, and was almost sick with fear
and hunger. We passed a brick church, and it was in ruins, shaken to
pieces by the shock. I almost reeled over when I saw it. The rest of the
way I ran.

As I came within four blocks of the house I looked anxiously over the
roofs of other houses for its high chimneys that had hitherto been
visible from that point. I could not see them! Then I was sure that all
was over, and that my father, mother, and sisters were lost forever.

These last four blocks I fairly flew, in spite of my fatigue. I kept my
eyes on the ground, not daring to raise them as I ran. Then as I reached
the curb before the door I never expected to enter again I looked up.
The house, though shorn of its chimneys, stood staunch and strong--they
were safe. For a second I stood still. Then, like a poor fool, I began
to laugh and shout. That was the most joyous home-coming of my life.

* * * * *

During the day of Wednesday, April 18th, I saw some of the damage done
by the earthquake. The loss to the California-Street cable railroad was
the upper portion of the chimney. I had my lunch at the Pacific Union
Club, corner of Post and Stockton Streets, and noted that building was
damaged but very little; only some few pieces of plastering fell. The
Call Building gave no evidence on the outside. The Commercial Block, in
which my office was located, did not show any damage. The door leading
into my office would not open, but the next one did. My house shows a
few cracks. The tops of the chimneys on my house were thrown off, and
the kitchen chimney had to be rebuilt. But the great loss, the great
calamity, was the fire. After that had raged for three days the havoc
was fearful to see. For miles and miles there was not a remnant of