Evans-Wentz Incident

2317 W. 20th St.

Los Angeles Cal. 90018

Oct 15, 1967.

cy: Della Van Heyst

David S. Jacobson,

Sec'y to the University,

Stanford, Cal.

Dear "Alum":

Answering your call for help – "If you were there" – in the Alumni Almanac of Oct. 1967, there are two old sayings we should never forget! One is "You never can tell," and the other is "the "Bawl-Out" is always right."

Though I graduated in '07 – sixty years ago – yes, I was there and I am still here, and I have my copies of the "Bawl-Out" for 1905-06, and 1906-07. It is curious that years ago I solved a similar difficulty by referring to these little directories, so I decided to keep them, and my last copy of "Who's Who in the West" identifies you as a Stanford graduate (class of 1930).

At the time of the Quake I roomed with the late Fred Christy '06 in the NE corner room {caret: "(1st floor)"} at the south end of the Encina wing next to the Quad. Our door, and all but one window, were jammed but we jumped from that window and that is where we saw Walter Wentz hanging from the roof. I never knew who dragged him in but you say it was his room-mate. And so, according to the "Bawl-Out" I can tell you that Wentz, that year, roomed in 157 Encina, with R.D. Brook, of Seattle Spokane, who went {Latin letters: "Phi Kappa Psi"], graduated EE '09, and died Dec 7, 1918. If you wish to trace further it might be that the Phi Psi house could put you in touch with his family. Yours for Stanford.

Wendell W. Ward '07

October 17, 1967

cy. Della Van Heyst

David S. Jacobson

Secretary Stanford University

Dear Sir:

Your piece in the latest Alumnus Magazine stirred memory. I knew George Ditz and as I recall it I worked with him on the brick files after the earthquake of 1906. I did not arrive until August of 1906. I heard of the incident from fellow students who lived in Encina Hall. I did not live in Encina until 1907, but I remember being shown the room and window where it occurred.

John Millis now president of Western Reserve U. lived with his father Harry Alvin Millis in Palo Alto and might remember the hero's name. Prof. Ira B. Cross now retired from U of C. Berkley lived in Encina in 1906 and might remember. R.L. Duffers now living in Channing House, Palo Alto was of that time and has a good memory. Charles Leach who now lives at New Fane Vt., Erit Shelton lawyer and & banker in LA. Cal., Clyde Shoemaker also an

a L.A. Cal. lawyer and Louis Steck who lives in Cathedral City Cal. were there in 1906. Walter Hettman a San Francisco attorney was also there. My brother N. P. Bryan who lives in Cont Canterbury Woods an Episcopal house in Pacific Grove might help although he was not there at the earth quake, but immediately before it. I wish you all success in your search and would be interested to know if you solve the mystery.

It comes to my mind that the puller in was a member of the foot ball team and was sufficiently set up for the pull physically.

Somehow I made the same issue of the Alumnus Mag – as your piece to my surprise –

Sincerely

Sam Bryan 1910

2230 Keyes Ave Madison, Wisconsin, 53711

Almanac

Nov. 6, 1967

Dear Mr. Jacobsen,

I can provide you with a lead to the men who pulled Wentz back into Encina.

About 35 years ago a small, jolly, wiry Mexican (Stanford Class of 1906 or 1907 and probably majored in mining engineering) spent the night with my family. At the dinner table he and my Father (Frank C. Squire, Stanford class of 1907 in Civil Engineering) talked about their experiences at Stanford. Both were in Encina at the time of the earthquake.

I do not remember the name, Wentz, but I will use it in the Mexican's story because it seems highly unlikely that there were two, let alone one, who would jump out of a 4th floor window of Encina.

My Father had just described the crashing of the large chimney which stood near Encina and this sparked the Mexican's remembrance and this was his story as I remember it.

Following the crash of the chimney the Mexican heard a shout from a near-by room. Running in he saw Wentz holding onto the overhang of the roof and another chap standing at the window looking out. The Mexican was very small, about 4'9" or 4'10" and evidently the other person was also small. The Mexican said: "You grab one

leg and I'll grab the other." He then called to Wentz and told him each would take a leg - and when he counted to three Wentz was to let go. So he counted to three, Wentz let go and both pulled hard on Wentz's legs. But they were small chaps and couldn't pull Wentz in fast enough - his legs jacknifed across the sill and his body flopped down below the window. But the worst part was that Wentz's head was travelling like a hammer blow. The back of his head smashed the sandstone a terrific wallop.

The two dragged him across the sill and laid him on the floor more unconscious than conscious and not knowing for certain whether he would live.

The Mexican went away to tend to other things and didn't see Wentz again for 3 or 4 days. When he did see him Wentz looked as if he had two heads. Wentz walked right by him and did not so much as say hello. The Mexican felt very hurt about this because he believed that he had helped to save Wentz's life.

Whether or not Wentz eventually spoke to him again I do not know but the Mexican told us why Wentz jumped out the window. Wentz thought that the safest place was The Encina roof so that nothing could