Jennie Tiwena re: 1906 earthquake, 1906-04-20

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SC0206_b06_1906-04-20

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Golden Gate Park 1906 San Francisco Apr. 20

Dear Gussie,

We are alive and not hurt. Thank Almighty God for it. I don't know whether I can write an intelligent or legible letter, but I thought you all would like to know how we fared. Surely, I never expected to be alive and writing to you today. This is a book leaf - if I can get an envelope I will send this, there are no stamps to be had. I wrote to you all on Monday night, before the earthquake and & have been out of doors every since. Wednesday morning 5 or 6 o'clock. We were all packed to leave, the hotel is burned down. It rocked so we could not stand to get our clothes on, it was only eight stories, but we were on the 2nd floor. We got our clothes on and got our trunks in the street. We paid $7.00 to get our two trunks to the park. There are thousands of people here, rich and poor. No one has anything, but a few bed clothes and clothes, the whole town is burned up, you can't tell the streets. We sat in the first park we got to until the fire reached us and saw all the main part of the town burn. Such pitiful sights you never heard of people men and & women carrying their good all day and night. I did not see any of the dead

Last edit over 4 years ago by bcarter
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but there are hundreds dead and & wounded. There was a baby born in the park Wednesday night - we sleep under the trees. The government is feeding us - they deal out rations you stand in a line guarded by the soldiers and are given whatever they have to give - we have a few to eat and drink - Yesterday evening one line was 10 thousand people long - we build fires to cook by, but have to put them out at night - we will leave for Los Gatos as soon as possible, they will issue free tickets to all parts of the U.S. The millionaires are sending food to us - and will send tents as soon as they can be gotten. I am so shakey I can't hardly hold the pencil. But I am so thankful I am alive and not hurt. O, Lord, how thankful I am to be alive. We have not lost anything yet - but don't know how we will get out of here. One gentleman lent us a mattress, two pillows and a blanket and quilt one night. We had nothing but two pillow and a bench. I ache terribly, but hate to complain. I sent you a piece of cardboard yesterday - but don't know whether you will get it. Do write to us when we get to Los Gatos - we have made some friends out here and are getting along very well, if I can only keep well. We have no dews here so I guess we will survive.

- Jennie Tiwena

Last edit over 4 years ago by bcarter
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