Yesterday, I shared some photos from the 1906 Earthquake in San Francisco, the setting for my young adult novel, Shaken.
Photos have helped me imagine the scene, but another thing that has aided my research are letters. In the early hours after the disaster, people immediately began writing letters to their loved ones describing the events. Some of these letters contain very picturesque descriptions. Today I’m going to share a favorite of mine. It’s from the collection of the Bancroft Library, which can be read on-line.
It was written by Archibald Treat, an attorney living in Sausalito, to his younger sister Elanor who was visiting relatives in Nevada. This is just the first section of the letter.
Dear Sis,
I hardly know where to begin in this effort to picture the happenings of the last week. We were awakened on the morning of the 18th about 5.15 by the first shock of earthquake. It was immediately succeeded by the second, and I can best liken my sensations to those of a rat being shaken by a bull terrier, for that second shock was no imitation. The walls of the room seemed to shrink, and all objects came towards me in a mad, jiggling dance. To add to the confusion everything in the house seemed to be churning around in a huge coffee machine, and slowly getting closer to the wheels. This was due to falling chimneys, breaking glass, and the working of the timbers of the house. I held Gus by one arm and steadied myself in bed with the other, she in the meantime shrieking for me to let her go. I thought the bed as safe a place as any, and forced her to remain until the shock had passed. She lost no time then reaching the street, and I carried Van down in his bedclothes. Laura had made good use of her long legs and was not far behind. I brought all the clothes to the front porch, and the family then made itself more presentable. Norah, the girl, was slow in coming from her room, and afterwards explained this by saying that she had not been to church much of late and stopped to say her prayers.
I love this image of a girl (or woman, perhaps?) getting down on her knees to say her prayers shortly after the massive quake. My main character, Wanda, has the exact opposite reaction. She is already furious with God for letting her sister die and the earthquake just deepens her resolve to never speak with Him again.
This is where Wanda’s story begins. Her journey through the burning city is her journey back to God. And she takes it reluctantly — one painful step at a time. If you are not familiar with the story Shaken, you are welcome read the first chapter. You can find the link on the side of the screen.