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ting into the buildings. I rushed ov^er to a safe deposit bank 

 opposite where I had a box to beg them to take our stuff but 

 there was a line of men half a block long who were there for 

 their money and it was hopeless. When I went back I had to 

 have permission of the officer in charge. 



Porter went to see if he could find an express wagon or auto- 

 mobile. We had to carry all the things across Market street as 

 no vehicles were permitted on the street. I seemed to be the 

 only one v;ith any ready cash. I asked how much would the 

 cost be to take the stuff to where I lived. When the man said 

 it would be a big price my heart sank as I had onl}' fourteen 

 dollars. But he charged only three and I was so grateful that 

 I gave him four. 



I had the janitor with me on the wagon and he helped me get 

 the things into the front hall where they were all day. Towards 

 evening I became uneasy and decided to take them to a friend's 

 house on Russian Hill, which seemed a safe place. Some of my 

 young men friends helped me and we carried them, making sev- 

 eral trips. It was impossible at this time to get any kind of a 

 conveyance without paying a big sum down. I went back to 

 my home but could not sleep though the fire was still distant. 

 I picked up a few things and packed them so as to carry 

 some personal belongings. We could only take what we could 

 carry in our hands. Mr. Worcester, my chief friend on Russian 

 Hill, took the things into his house. He also told me that I 

 could hav^e them taken to Fort Mason with some very valuable 

 paintings and books next day if there seemed to be any danger. 

 Well, they went ne.xt day and that night there was fire raging 

 all around that hill and dynamite almost shot those who stayed 

 into the air, but there were a few houses saved on that hill and 

 Mr. Worcester's is one of them. 



The greatest loss to the city is the loss of all libraries and the 

 scientific collections. Buildings can be replaced but these never 

 can be. 



I do not intend to give up but am making plans already 

 what to do. I may come East in the fall and see how you do 

 things and get ideas. I never had time before and now I have 

 not much money but I am not destitute and am much better off 

 than a great many. 



There was never any panic and you see no signs of repining. 

 The hard time is to come. 



I was taken in by lovely people whom I had never met and 

 am with them yet. It is best not to think of what is lost but 

 of what is saved and best of all to think of the kindness of those 



