The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, May 10, 1906 (BY ONE WHO WAS THERE -- Part 1a) Thursday morning, when it began to look as though we must go, the men of our family took the most important of the household possessions in trunks to a vacant lot across the street and buried them. Then about eleven o'clock we packed what we could carry and started over the hill to a large Park. Here we stopped and at about eight o'clock in the evening saw our house burn. After midnight we left for Ft. Mason, and on Friday morning escaped on the government tug-boat "General McDowell," to the ferry, all other ways being cut off by the fire. We came direct to Berkley, and with all refugees were nicely cared for by the committee in charge. We soon parted, however, as my friends went among life-long friends and I stayed with these kind people. The RICHARDSON's business was burned out but I believe that their home was saved. I have heard nothing from them yet, but I think that their locality is safe. I saw ANNA MCNEILL just a minute. Her office was burned but her home sav! ed. She has relatives here. Telegrams piled up so that at one time it was said that a letter would go through the mails faster than a telegram could be sent. To Be Continued -- (part 1b) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert October 10, 2004 [email protected]