"Oh, Lord, Thy ways are past finding out, but we still have faith in
Thee. We know not why Thou hast visited these people and left them
homeless. Thou knowest the reason of this desolation and of our utter
helplessness. We call on Thee for help in the hour of our great need.
Bless the people of this city, the sorrowing ones, the bereaved, gather
them under Thy mighty wing and soothe aching hearts this day."
The women were crying again, and one big man dug his knuckles into his
eyes without shame. The man who could have listened to such a prayer
unmoved was not in Golden Gate Park that day.
CHAPTER VII.
The Frightful Loss of Life and Wealth.
While multitudes escaped from toppling buildings and crashing walls in
the dread disaster of that fatal Wednesday morning of April 18th in San
Francisco, hundreds of the less fortunate met their death in the ruins,
and horrifying scenes were witnessed by the survivors. Many of those who
escaped had tales of terror to tell. Mr. J. P. Anthony, as he fled from
the Ramona Hotel, saw a score or more of people crushed to death, and
as he walked the streets at a later hour saw bodies of the dead being
carried in garbage wagons and all kinds of vehicles to the improvised
morgues, while hospitals and storerooms were already filled with the
injured. Mr. G. A. Raymond, of Tomales, Cal., gives evidence to the same
effect. As he rushed into the street, he says that the air was filled
with falling stones and people around him were crushed to death on all
sides.
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