Originally from: "The Sonoma County Home Page" as of 12/3/2008.
Rewritten and corrected by Sandy Frary 5/2/2016, SRRC archivist.
1906 Earthquake Victim Memorial stone setting on the site where 18 individuals were buried in a common grave after they were killed in the quake.
The earthquake of April 18, 1906, although known as the earthquake of San Francisco, reduced downtown Santa Rosa to rubble. For economic reasons, the full extent of damage to the county was purposely underestimated, including the number of deaths. Historians have since discovered the death toll to be 82. Most loss of life occurred in the hotels and rooming houses of the 52 year old community. A fire immediately followed the earthquake, killing those who were trapped in the wreckage. Of those who died in Santa Rosa, 37 are buried in Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery.
Another 112 people perished when Agnews Asylum, near San Jose collapsed, and 111 were buried on the asylum property. One of those who died in Agnews Asylum (ANNIE M. LEETE) is buried in Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery. Thus, the total number of 1906 earthquake victims who died in Santa Rosa and are buried in Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery is 37. However, the total number of 1906 earthquake victims buried in Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery totals 38 when you add in Annie M. Leete who died in Agnews Asylum in San Jose.
Note: Charles W. Palm was buried at Chanate, but is listed on memorial at SRRC. Contributor arborvitae: #47298569.
"Cemetery Rumblings" story by Sandy Frary, SRRC archivist on 4/29/2016:
Located at the Franklin Avenue entrance to Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery is the cement-covered mass grave of the 1906 earthquake victims. The monument, which sits atop the grave, is inscribed with names of those who lie beneath, including the following inscription:
Four Persons Unknown Nos. 1 - 4 - 6 - 7
Also etched in the cement covering the mass grave are the numbers 1, 4, 6 & 7 to denote the Four Persons Unknown. But how, I wondered, could FOUR Unknown Persons end up being numbered 1,4, 6 & 7? Could this be some type of code or cryptogram?!
Several weeks ago, researcher, Jeff Elliott, and I took up the challenge of trying to crack the “code”— and I believe we have. I was able to review copies of the original death certificates of the Four Unknown Persons, and to my surprise, one of the death certificates lists THREE Unknown Persons —2 adults and 1 child. Ah ha! So there were SIX Unknown Persons who died in the 1906 Earthquake and are buried in the mass grave.
Jeff was able to further substantiate this with a review of the April 30, 1906 newspaper in which it reported that the coroner’'s inquests were held that morning over the remains of SIX Unknown Persons. So this brings the count of Unknowns to 6 and appears to explain the #6. But what about #7?!
Jeff pointed out that the April 30, 1906 newspaper also reported that the coroner’s inquests included an un-named child whose body was found with Miss Excelsa, the gun juggling/sword fighting vaudeville performer who is buried in the mass grave. Again—, ah ha! !
That un-named child is most likely #7. Unfortunately, it appears a death certificate was never made for the child. We aren’'t sure why there are gaps between the number count on the monument, but we don’t think there is any question that there are SEVEN Unknown Persons buried there. Thus, the inscription on the earthquake monument of FOUR PERSONS UNKNOWN is incorrect.
Unfortunately, these 7 Unknown Persons have never been identified. Sad. There must have been families wondering where these missing loved ones were—and never to find out!
-------------------------
List of Unknown 1906 Earthquake victims as published by the Sonoma County Home Page (see above for most recent research and information.)
Unknown little girl Ramona Lodging House
Unknown Indian, Storey Ranch
Unknown Indian, wife of above
Unknown Hotel at Duncans Mills
Unknown Hotel at Duncans Mills
Unknown Rural Cem.
Unknown Rural Cem.
Unknown Rural Cem.
Unknown Rural Cem.
Rewritten and corrected by Sandy Frary 5/2/2016, SRRC archivist.
1906 Earthquake Victim Memorial stone setting on the site where 18 individuals were buried in a common grave after they were killed in the quake.
The earthquake of April 18, 1906, although known as the earthquake of San Francisco, reduced downtown Santa Rosa to rubble. For economic reasons, the full extent of damage to the county was purposely underestimated, including the number of deaths. Historians have since discovered the death toll to be 82. Most loss of life occurred in the hotels and rooming houses of the 52 year old community. A fire immediately followed the earthquake, killing those who were trapped in the wreckage. Of those who died in Santa Rosa, 37 are buried in Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery.
Another 112 people perished when Agnews Asylum, near San Jose collapsed, and 111 were buried on the asylum property. One of those who died in Agnews Asylum (ANNIE M. LEETE) is buried in Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery. Thus, the total number of 1906 earthquake victims who died in Santa Rosa and are buried in Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery is 37. However, the total number of 1906 earthquake victims buried in Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery totals 38 when you add in Annie M. Leete who died in Agnews Asylum in San Jose.
Note: Charles W. Palm was buried at Chanate, but is listed on memorial at SRRC. Contributor arborvitae: #47298569.
"Cemetery Rumblings" story by Sandy Frary, SRRC archivist on 4/29/2016:
Located at the Franklin Avenue entrance to Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery is the cement-covered mass grave of the 1906 earthquake victims. The monument, which sits atop the grave, is inscribed with names of those who lie beneath, including the following inscription:
Four Persons Unknown Nos. 1 - 4 - 6 - 7
Also etched in the cement covering the mass grave are the numbers 1, 4, 6 & 7 to denote the Four Persons Unknown. But how, I wondered, could FOUR Unknown Persons end up being numbered 1,4, 6 & 7? Could this be some type of code or cryptogram?!
Several weeks ago, researcher, Jeff Elliott, and I took up the challenge of trying to crack the “code”— and I believe we have. I was able to review copies of the original death certificates of the Four Unknown Persons, and to my surprise, one of the death certificates lists THREE Unknown Persons —2 adults and 1 child. Ah ha! So there were SIX Unknown Persons who died in the 1906 Earthquake and are buried in the mass grave.
Jeff was able to further substantiate this with a review of the April 30, 1906 newspaper in which it reported that the coroner’'s inquests were held that morning over the remains of SIX Unknown Persons. So this brings the count of Unknowns to 6 and appears to explain the #6. But what about #7?!
Jeff pointed out that the April 30, 1906 newspaper also reported that the coroner’s inquests included an un-named child whose body was found with Miss Excelsa, the gun juggling/sword fighting vaudeville performer who is buried in the mass grave. Again—, ah ha! !
That un-named child is most likely #7. Unfortunately, it appears a death certificate was never made for the child. We aren’'t sure why there are gaps between the number count on the monument, but we don’t think there is any question that there are SEVEN Unknown Persons buried there. Thus, the inscription on the earthquake monument of FOUR PERSONS UNKNOWN is incorrect.
Unfortunately, these 7 Unknown Persons have never been identified. Sad. There must have been families wondering where these missing loved ones were—and never to find out!
-------------------------
List of Unknown 1906 Earthquake victims as published by the Sonoma County Home Page (see above for most recent research and information.)
Unknown little girl Ramona Lodging House
Unknown Indian, Storey Ranch
Unknown Indian, wife of above
Unknown Hotel at Duncans Mills
Unknown Hotel at Duncans Mills
Unknown Rural Cem.
Unknown Rural Cem.
Unknown Rural Cem.
Unknown Rural Cem.
Originally from: "The Sonoma County Home Page" as of 12/3/2008.
Rewritten and corrected by Sandy Frary 5/2/2016, SRRC archivist.
1906 Earthquake Victim Memorial stone setting on the site where 18 individuals were buried in a common grave after they were killed in the quake.
The earthquake of April 18, 1906, although known as the earthquake of San Francisco, reduced downtown Santa Rosa to rubble. For economic reasons, the full extent of damage to the county was purposely underestimated, including the number of deaths. Historians have since discovered the death toll to be 82. Most loss of life occurred in the hotels and rooming houses of the 52 year old community. A fire immediately followed the earthquake, killing those who were trapped in the wreckage. Of those who died in Santa Rosa, 37 are buried in Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery.
Another 112 people perished when Agnews Asylum, near San Jose collapsed, and 111 were buried on the asylum property. One of those who died in Agnews Asylum (ANNIE M. LEETE) is buried in Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery. Thus, the total number of 1906 earthquake victims who died in Santa Rosa and are buried in Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery is 37. However, the total number of 1906 earthquake victims buried in Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery totals 38 when you add in Annie M. Leete who died in Agnews Asylum in San Jose.
Note: Charles W. Palm was buried at Chanate, but is listed on memorial at SRRC. Contributor arborvitae: #47298569.
"Cemetery Rumblings" story by Sandy Frary, SRRC archivist on 4/29/2016:
Located at the Franklin Avenue entrance to Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery is the cement-covered mass grave of the 1906 earthquake victims. The monument, which sits atop the grave, is inscribed with names of those who lie beneath, including the following inscription:
Four Persons Unknown Nos. 1 - 4 - 6 - 7
Also etched in the cement covering the mass grave are the numbers 1, 4, 6 & 7 to denote the Four Persons Unknown. But how, I wondered, could FOUR Unknown Persons end up being numbered 1,4, 6 & 7? Could this be some type of code or cryptogram?!
Several weeks ago, researcher, Jeff Elliott, and I took up the challenge of trying to crack the “code”— and I believe we have. I was able to review copies of the original death certificates of the Four Unknown Persons, and to my surprise, one of the death certificates lists THREE Unknown Persons —2 adults and 1 child. Ah ha! So there were SIX Unknown Persons who died in the 1906 Earthquake and are buried in the mass grave.
Jeff was able to further substantiate this with a review of the April 30, 1906 newspaper in which it reported that the coroner’'s inquests were held that morning over the remains of SIX Unknown Persons. So this brings the count of Unknowns to 6 and appears to explain the #6. But what about #7?!
Jeff pointed out that the April 30, 1906 newspaper also reported that the coroner’s inquests included an un-named child whose body was found with Miss Excelsa, the gun juggling/sword fighting vaudeville performer who is buried in the mass grave. Again—, ah ha! !
That un-named child is most likely #7. Unfortunately, it appears a death certificate was never made for the child. We aren’'t sure why there are gaps between the number count on the monument, but we don’t think there is any question that there are SEVEN Unknown Persons buried there. Thus, the inscription on the earthquake monument of FOUR PERSONS UNKNOWN is incorrect.
Unfortunately, these 7 Unknown Persons have never been identified. Sad. There must have been families wondering where these missing loved ones were—and never to find out!
-------------------------
List of Unknown 1906 Earthquake victims as published by the Sonoma County Home Page (see above for most recent research and information.)
Unknown little girl Ramona Lodging House
Unknown Indian, Storey Ranch
Unknown Indian, wife of above
Unknown Hotel at Duncans Mills
Unknown Hotel at Duncans Mills
Unknown Rural Cem.
Unknown Rural Cem.
Unknown Rural Cem.
Unknown Rural Cem.
Rewritten and corrected by Sandy Frary 5/2/2016, SRRC archivist.
1906 Earthquake Victim Memorial stone setting on the site where 18 individuals were buried in a common grave after they were killed in the quake.
The earthquake of April 18, 1906, although known as the earthquake of San Francisco, reduced downtown Santa Rosa to rubble. For economic reasons, the full extent of damage to the county was purposely underestimated, including the number of deaths. Historians have since discovered the death toll to be 82. Most loss of life occurred in the hotels and rooming houses of the 52 year old community. A fire immediately followed the earthquake, killing those who were trapped in the wreckage. Of those who died in Santa Rosa, 37 are buried in Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery.
Another 112 people perished when Agnews Asylum, near San Jose collapsed, and 111 were buried on the asylum property. One of those who died in Agnews Asylum (ANNIE M. LEETE) is buried in Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery. Thus, the total number of 1906 earthquake victims who died in Santa Rosa and are buried in Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery is 37. However, the total number of 1906 earthquake victims buried in Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery totals 38 when you add in Annie M. Leete who died in Agnews Asylum in San Jose.
Note: Charles W. Palm was buried at Chanate, but is listed on memorial at SRRC. Contributor arborvitae: #47298569.
"Cemetery Rumblings" story by Sandy Frary, SRRC archivist on 4/29/2016:
Located at the Franklin Avenue entrance to Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery is the cement-covered mass grave of the 1906 earthquake victims. The monument, which sits atop the grave, is inscribed with names of those who lie beneath, including the following inscription:
Four Persons Unknown Nos. 1 - 4 - 6 - 7
Also etched in the cement covering the mass grave are the numbers 1, 4, 6 & 7 to denote the Four Persons Unknown. But how, I wondered, could FOUR Unknown Persons end up being numbered 1,4, 6 & 7? Could this be some type of code or cryptogram?!
Several weeks ago, researcher, Jeff Elliott, and I took up the challenge of trying to crack the “code”— and I believe we have. I was able to review copies of the original death certificates of the Four Unknown Persons, and to my surprise, one of the death certificates lists THREE Unknown Persons —2 adults and 1 child. Ah ha! So there were SIX Unknown Persons who died in the 1906 Earthquake and are buried in the mass grave.
Jeff was able to further substantiate this with a review of the April 30, 1906 newspaper in which it reported that the coroner’'s inquests were held that morning over the remains of SIX Unknown Persons. So this brings the count of Unknowns to 6 and appears to explain the #6. But what about #7?!
Jeff pointed out that the April 30, 1906 newspaper also reported that the coroner’s inquests included an un-named child whose body was found with Miss Excelsa, the gun juggling/sword fighting vaudeville performer who is buried in the mass grave. Again—, ah ha! !
That un-named child is most likely #7. Unfortunately, it appears a death certificate was never made for the child. We aren’'t sure why there are gaps between the number count on the monument, but we don’t think there is any question that there are SEVEN Unknown Persons buried there. Thus, the inscription on the earthquake monument of FOUR PERSONS UNKNOWN is incorrect.
Unfortunately, these 7 Unknown Persons have never been identified. Sad. There must have been families wondering where these missing loved ones were—and never to find out!
-------------------------
List of Unknown 1906 Earthquake victims as published by the Sonoma County Home Page (see above for most recent research and information.)
Unknown little girl Ramona Lodging House
Unknown Indian, Storey Ranch
Unknown Indian, wife of above
Unknown Hotel at Duncans Mills
Unknown Hotel at Duncans Mills
Unknown Rural Cem.
Unknown Rural Cem.
Unknown Rural Cem.
Unknown Rural Cem.
Inscription
In memory of those who died in the disaster of April 18, 1906. Mrs. C. Heath - Josephine Ely - Marshall Ely - John Murphy - C.A. Trudgeon - Chas. W. Palm - Nicholas Stampfli - John Murphy - Frank Downing - Four persons unknown - Nos. 1 - 4- 6 - 7.
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