The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, May 10, 1906 Extract from a letter from MISS HARRIET E. SWEET, formerly of Chariton, published through the courtesy of Hon. Edward A. Temple. "Now about the earthquake. I was lying awake when it occurred. First only the ordinary earthquake which is familiar to all. Then I noticed that the horizontal lines in my room seemed to stand at an angle of about 22 1/2 degrees. I lay watching everything fall and break, hearing the crashing chimneys and waiting for what seemed to be certain destruction to all material life. It was all over in something like seventy seconds, so I am told. Then I arose and went to see what had happened. Everything was upset and covered with plastering. An immense tile from the chimney fell through the sky light just as one of our household was rushing through the hall. It just missed his head, but a piece of glass cut his head quite badly. Aside from this we all escaped injury. Soon a friend from the Mission arrived, telling us that all of that part of the city had taken fire and must go, as the water mains were badly damaged and water could not be had at all places. It was hoped t! hat the fire might be checked before reaching the business district, and in the absence of water, dynamite was used. All day and night we watched the fire come toward us, sleeping at intervals. Those most frightened sat upon the front steps or walked the streets.