p. 18 | Earthquake Special by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Apr 25, 1906

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 17.

Earthquake Special

By Editor

As the journal having the largest circulation in the East of any journal published on the Pacific Coast, we feel that in view of the fact that many of our subscribers and friends in the East have relatives and friends in the West, it is our duty to take this time to present in a special number some of the awful calamities that have here occurred.

Pacific Press Folding-room as Exposed by the Earthquake.

We know that there are thousands upon thousands of families in the East who have relatives and friends in San Francisco, in Oakland, in the beautiful Santa Clara Valley, in Santa Rosa, and in others of the afflicted cities and towns of the Pacific Coast.

We believe that to all these the fullest and most accurate information ought to come from those on the ground.

Our Own Losses

The Signs of the Times is in the center of the earthquake territory. It, too, felt the terrible seismic shock. Its splendid building to which only a few months ago the last finishing touches had been given, is almost wholly ruined.

The spectacle which greeted the eyes of the nearly one hundred employees, as they came to it next morning, was one of sadness and desolation. To a great extent both ends of the building were piles of brick and mortar. But grateful were we to a kind Providence that our machinery is almost wholly left intact.

While our linotypes were put out of commission, our type was very little disturbed. Only a small quantity was pied. Our presses are in good running condition; and we know of no better way to use them than to tell our friends (and this scarcely includes less than all the great East), of the awful calamity that has devastated one of the fairest portions of the entire country.

We shall tell you in this number of the condition of San Francisco, as it was and as it is; of the great Stanford University before and after the earthquake; how the great seismic throb affected the large city of Oakland; also Santa Rosa, one of the fairest towns in California; of how San Jose, Sebastapol, Healdsburg, and other towns were shattered by the shock.

We shall endeavor to tell you what these things mean in the light of sober, common sense, and of the warning duties which God has presented in His Word.

As to the material damages, we shall endeavor to give a plain, unvarnished tale, just as far as we can obtain accurate report.

We are sending our representatives to different towns and cities of the afflicted districts, so as to give them the very best opportunities for presenting accurate reports of the great calamity.

San Francisco Doomed

Since the first page of this number was in print, we have learned from the fire chief of San Francisco that the whole city is doomed; that there seems to be no prospect whatever of saving the buildings that are left.

The magnitude of the calamity is such that no pen can describe it, and those who are witnessing it on every side, as a general thing are so dazed that it is impossible for them to fully appreciate the greatness of the loss in life and property; for while the dead number thousands, all-told, on the Coast, no one knows the broken constitutions, the foundation of premature disease and decay which have been laid in the awful experiences through which the people have passed.

Looking West from the Interior of the Chapel.

Thousands upon thousands are homeless and sleeping out-of-doors without even blankets to cover them; and yet, on the other hand we are grateful to see the many kindnesses on the part of those who have not suffered, as well as those who have to a certain extent. Nearly all are doing all in their power to meet the needs, altho any help which the Coast can furnish will be utterly inadequate.

The date of this

Earthquake Special

will be May 1. Any of our friends in the East who may wish large quantities would better order them direct from the office of publication.

This number will cost us much more than the regular issue. The price will be as follows: Less than 1000 copies to one name and address 3 cents per copy; all over 1000 copies to one name and address 2 1/2 cents per copy.