A REAL "AGONY COLUMN."

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LI, Issue 9138, 10 July 1906, Page 6

A REAL "AGONY COLUMN."

The real tragedy of San Francisco (says the Tribune) was not the crashing buildings or the unconquerable flames, but the flight of families, the inevitable separation of wife from husband and of parents from children, the agony of suspense in the absence of news of missing ones, the frantic grief of survivors for victims, and the cry of rich and poor alike for mere bread. And it is the story of this worst feat/UTe of the appalling calamity which is told in a page of advertisements in a copy of the San Francisco Examiner that has reached us.

The page contains seven columns of real "agony" notices. Information as to whereabouts is asked for and given, and people are told where to go for shelter. One brief announcement is "Arthur Trout, your wife is with her mother." A contrast with this message of safety is : "Information Wanted of whereabouts of ThosBowes. Address his mother, 829 San Pablo Aye." Among other messages are the following : —

"Will J. W. Anderson come to assistance of his grandchildren, who are destitute?— Answer to 554, 35th, Oakland."

"Supervisor " Daniel Coleman. — With Dena ; get me home some way ; must come. Mts Logan, 1085, Fifty-third.

Sam Stephens. — Come to my house with your wife and work. — E.T.M."

"TUlie, Minnie, George, or my mother, please let a bToken-heaxted daughter know. J. F. Klear, 1600, West Bth street."

"Mrs A. M. Paul, Edith, or Edgar. — If you are in need come to Berkeley. — Annie and Walter Paul."

"John Orvo, we are safe at St. Mary's Church, corner of 7th and Bfch."

"Is Jasen family safe — Octave, Oakland."

"If any one can let nle know the wjoereaboute of a daughter, Annie Merillie, please let me know at 920, Franklin street. —Mrs Jessie Rosine Blanchard."

"Harry Baker.— All OK in Oakland.— N. K. HSU." "Howard Shaver can find parents in

Oakland at tent city."

"L. Therkelsen wishes to find Mrs M. A. Caohot and John McHenry and family. Sacred Heart Convent." "Family and friends come to Mrs Riegelman. 1154, Brush street." "Dr A. S. Brackett and wife, there is (room at 1521, Telegraph Aye., Oakland,

for you." "Dear Rose } let me know where you ate. — Miss Henry." "For Mr W. 0. Gregg.— The children and Mrs Gregg are safe at 1410, Oak street. Johnny Hanna is iniormed that his relatives and friends fear Jbe is dead or seociousJy hurt, and is asked to call at th» Examiner office. A curious advertisement is : "J. E. Kerr, Laura, daughter, Coorwin, welcome at 16, Capp street, Upper Fruitvale. No Postmortems." Another announces the finding of a little Italian boy. And interspersed among announcements telling their own tale of acute distress arc others showing the indomitable courage of the San Francisciarus in" the crisis. Workpeople are summoned to centres ; rebuilding; is announced; "Welsh and C 0.," it is stated, "have opened offices 10, Washington street ; employees .report there Monday morning" ; a roll-top desk is offered for sale cheap ; and finally a man with a few hundred dollars and lots of grit (the dollars are apparently the first consideration) as wanted to take fifth interest in Manhattan mines, is tempted witih "great opportunity," and is advised to "forget earthquake and fire."