From the Lawrence Daily World for April 19, 1906: “Word from San Francisco is that a terrible earthquake hit this morning demolishing at least 50 blocks of the main business district. It is estimated at least 2,000 people are dead and fires are raging in the aftermath. In many instances, panic prevailed and many were fleeing the area in any way they could. The quake was felt all along the west coast. Some fear the death toll may eventually top 20,000. :

“Latest dispatches tell that well more than 3,000 were killed by the recent eruptions of Vesuvius in Italy. Fire has occurred in many places after huge ash piles killed many by suffocation. :

“The ‘joints’ in the east bottoms or more specificially on Pennsylvania Street have long been a menace for young men. Under the veil of pro-slavery cooking, ‘Aunt Jane’ Williams has run an open house for the past 10 years and from the list of bartenders and waiters who owe her for their support, it is obvious she has been in the liquor business for years. She is queen of the liquor traffic in the east bottoms.”