Stanford Student Letters and Memoirs

[modern notation: Earthquake letter, 18 Apr. '06, p/ 4b]

It is perfectly miraculous that any of us are alive. Sadie's bed collapsed with her. We are all planning to sleep out doors tonight. [illegible] I'll live in mortal terror of another. I forgot to tell you (I got just this far when there was 1 horrid shock & I leaped wildly off the porch - it's over now) as I was saying (Well, another terrible shock & off I leaped - the house was just twisting. I'm on the lawn again now - there are lots of little shakes but I'm so [brave?] now I don't

[modern notation: Earthquake letter 18 Apr. '06, p. 5]

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[preprinted] STANFORD UNIVERSITY, CALIFORNIA [/preprinted]

mind little shocks. I was just about to tell you that the terrific shoke predicted this A.M. didn't come - just slight ones like this P.M. You let the [Haynes?] & the whole bunch of us sleep outside tonight & then they say the Earth is apt to open.

We have heard terrible rumors of S.F., S.J. & all the places around but can get no direct communications of course. I filed a telegram to be sent to you as soon as the wives are in shape.

[illegible] I'm praying you

[modern notation: Earthquake letter 18 Apr. '06, p. 5b]

are all right & only wish you knew I was so. I know you're about crazy - no doubt you've heard terrible rumors. It certainly has never been equalled Dr. [Jordan?] said no where in the world such a demolition of stone buildings.

I had 5 pictures left in my Brownie kodak so took it with me this A.M before they shut off the Quad. [Palie?] is in ruins so guess I couldn't get any more films - I was lucky to have that many.

I don't see when we can begin work - of course they'll have to inspect

[modern notation: Earthquake letter 18 Apr., '06, p.6]

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[STANFORD UNIVERSITY, CALIFORNIA]

all the buildings before we can have class. Lots of the arches that are perfect otherwise have their key stones just hanging so you see nothing is safe.

Madrona is condemned & not a soul can enter - poor homeless girls - I tell you you there are lots homeless. The inspectors are just here.

My, the sky is so dark & the air so spooky & gloomy from the fire & smoke I guess.

Say I want to tell you something really funny

[modern notation: Earthquake letter 18 Apr., '06, p. 6b]

out of all this disaster. One of the big statues in the front of the zoology building took a headlong plung & poked his old head right thru the cement & is standing there heels in air.

I never imagined I'd ever see ruins like these - just like old castle ruins. Who ever thot yesterday that this A.M. Stanford - all its wonderful, massive, buildings - would be in ruins.

The inspector said our house was all right but we're going to sleep outdoors anyway.

Well, guess I'll [quite?] can't

[modern notation: Earthquake letter 18 Apr., '06, p.7]

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[preprinted] STANFORD UNIVERSITY, CALIFORNIA [/preprinted]

do any good to rave on thusly - so good-bye.

We're all right folks & I wish I could let you know. Heavens how I wish I could hear from you. The sky is all overcast with with smoke from S.F. My, it gives the atmosphere a funny, spooky feeling.

Lots & lots of love to all

Babe

Heavens, this semester has been 1 continual round of troubles & to think this should be the climax or maybe something worse will

[modern notation: Earthquake letter 18 Apr., '06. p. 7b]

happen tho I don't see how it could.

[preprinted] STANFORD UNIVERSITY, CALIFORNIA

April 19 - 1906 Thurs A.M.

Dearest Folks

Well I just went & took my telegram off file. Prof. Green is going to Oakland in an auto & try to get them thru from there. Goodness knows I've tried to get you word that I'm still alive. We are simply cut off from all over as if we were on a desert island. No trains no telegraph or telephone wires etc. I don't know whether there'll be any more college or not - am waiting to see before I know what I'll do & can't get home now anyway.

Mr. Hayne went down to [Palie?] [to bring?] everything he could - or else we're apt to be without food - can't

[modern notation: Nana's letter, Apr. 19, '06, p. 1b]

use the stove (still get our meals from the camp fire.) S. F. & S. J. are burned up - the business parts. The S. F. people are panic stricken - walking out coming to [Palie?] those who can get here to get something to eat so we have to watch out or will have a famine.

The business part of S. F. is utterly wiped off everything & the fire has now taken to the residence parts. All day yesterday & today we heard reports of the dynamite where they're blowing up building to kept the fire from spreading. Ashes fell all day too & the air was full of smoke.

We hear mostly rumors of places - some thru autos & this A. M. trains are going between S. J. & S. F.

[modern notation: Nana's letter, Apr. 19, '06, p. 2]

2

[preprinted: STANFORD UNIVERSITY, CALIFORNIA]

I'm wild to hear from you, we've heard good & bad rumors - but chiefly that you're all right in the south. Heaven help it may be so.

We spent yesterday out doors - just running in & out when occassion demanded. There were quakes all day & all night.

Last night we all sat around on the lawn made fudge & read a story by candle light (but I couldn't tell what it was about. too crazy to listen - tho really you never would imagine I could be so calm. I wasn't very excited after the 1st terrific - awful shake [insert] & then I didn't know what I was doing [/preprinted]. It was just like