4

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