Mr John Daly, hailing from Killaculleen, Abbeyfeale, recently returned from California after spending a few months there. Familiar with the landscapes of San Francisco and even the unsettling tremors of earthquakes, which he encountered during his stay, Mr Daly has now received a message from his brother, Michael Daly. Michael, a saloon and restaurant owner in San Mateo, a city situated 20 miles south of San Francisco, shared his firsthand account of the recent earthquake’s impact on their region.

In his communication, Mr Daly recounted attending a bustling ball, attended by 250 couples, in one of the city’s institutions. Remarkably, he left the venue at 1 o’clock in the morning, mere hours before the entire building was reduced to rubble. Despite the devastation, no lives were lost in the incident. San Mateo, a city home to representatives from nearly every county in Ireland, boasts affluent citizens, including bankers, lawyers, and jewelers. These professionals often reside in lavish homes around San Mateo, traveling daily in automobiles or carriages.

Mr Daly shared further grim news, stating that Redwood City, located 8 miles south of San Mateo, also suffered substantial damage. Amidst the destruction, he expressed optimism about the future of the region. Stanford University, which had cost millions to build, is set to be reconstructed. The impact of the earthquake was felt all along the Pacific coast, from the renowned “Golden City” of the West, San Francisco, to San Jose, famously dubbed the “Garden City.” Although cities and towns were affected, the resilience of their inhabitants shines through, as they believe that these once-prosperous places will rise again from the ashes.

Mr Daly added a reassuring note, mentioning that Michael P. Sheehan’s hotel in Tournafulia, County Limerick, emerged unscathed from the catastrophe, allowing its popular owner to escape unharmed.

Kerry News – Wednesday 09 May 1906