Only 30 patients were quartered in the territory that comprised the
park emergency hospital at the end of the first week. Considering that
over 500 injured people received attention at the park during that
time the record was remarkable.
More than 100 physicians and attendants were serving in the park
within forty-eight hours after the first shock.
Among the many pathetic scenes connected with the work of relief were
others that illustrated the saving sense of humor which keeps people
from going insane in times of great calamity and mental stress.
In the vestibule of a church they were giving away clothes. One
shivering woman was being fitted out. "Here, dear," said the woman in
charge, "here is a nice, good warm waist." "Oh, I couldn't wear it,"
she answered. "You know, I'm in mourning."
Another girl near by said: "Yes, please, I want a waist. I want pink
and white, you know; they're my favorite colors."
Quite suddenly the smile died on our lips. A little mother came up. "I
want clothes for my baby; it's cold," she said.
They took the baby from her, and a man near by said to another: "The
child is dead."
We went down to Broadway to look for friends. Some people were so
dazed they would make no effort to reach the homes of their friends.
On the corner was a dapper youth whom we have long known.
A helpful feature of the relief work was the establishment by the
Southern Pacific company of a chain of information kept by bureaus,
which was served by relays of pony riders carrying the latest
bulletins and instructions relative to transportation facilities,
provided to relieve the congestion in San Francisco.
A committee sent by the Japanese consul, representing the Japanese
relief society, cared for many of the stricken Japanese who still
remain in the city. They rendered assistance to white people wherever
required. They wired to every large city on the coast asking for
supplies to be sent by the Japanese.
It was the desire of President Roosevelt that the work of the Red
Cross in alleviating the distress in San Francisco should be done
wholly without regard to the person and just as much for the Chinese
as for any others.
[Illustration: Copyright by R. L. Forrest 1906.
=REFUGEES ON TELEGRAPH HILL.=
These people sought a safe place and are watching their houses and
the city burning. Many of them carried bedding, pictures, relics,
etc., with them--all they could carry and get to a safe p
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