The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1856-04-05
Gbt weeklg Miunesptlan.
LAYER FROM CALIFORNIA:
ARRIVAL OF THE NORTHERN-LIGHT

LATER thOM NAAAG VnNxAs
ARRIVAL OF THE NORTHERN-LIGHT.
Particulars of the Earth nakes- in Jeddo, Japan,
and San Francisco!
From the Alta California, February 20.
The schooner Page, Capt. Morehouse, sail
ed from this port October 10, for Japan.
touched at Honolulu, Nov. 3; arrived at 81
monda Dec. 2, and sailed on the 10th for
Hakodadi; entered the latter port on the
18th, and sailed from thence January 3, TOR
San Francisco.
EARTHQUAKE IN JEDDo.
On the 18th of November, at 10 o'clock,
P, NJ, violent earthquake occurred at jed
do. which destroyed 100000 buildings, 81
temples, and 80 900 inhabitants. Fire broke
out at the same time in thirty different parts
of the city. The earth opened and closed
over thousands Of buildings with their in
habitants. The shock was severe at Simoda.
Although the distance from Jeddo to Simo-
da is but 60 miles, it appears that no officia!
account of the earthquake had been received
at the latter place at the time of the sailing
of the Page, December 10. The news was
obtained through the Dutch interpreter
The japanese seemed to attach but;little inn
portance to the catastrophe. The inhabit-
ants of the portion of the city destroyed
were forewarned of the disaster, and many
of them escaped. The buildings at Jeddo
are chiefly one story and constructed of very
light material. The temples of worship,
however, are lofty, and in some instances are
constructed heavy masonry.
EARTHQUAKE IN SAN FRANCISCO.
From the San Francisco Herald.
MI. ,l,ooJ- of 90 10 ovor ov-
rienced in this vicinity since the settlement
of California by Americans, occurred ON Fri
day morning at just "a minutes past five
o'clock. In this city and vicinity every build
ing shook to it's foundation, and in some
quarters the houses were swayed and rolled
as vessel in heavy sea. The inmates OF
every house were awakened, and some OF
them were thrown from their beds, so VIC
lent was the shock. Many persons rushed
into the streets; but that the circumstance
of their sudden appearance was of charac
ter to produce senations of terror rather thar
merriment, the scene would have been most
ludicrous. The large hotels were depopula
ted instanter and in the general rush articles
of furniture were thrown, occasioning noises
which added considerably to the clatter anC
confusion caused by the earthquake.
In the upper stories of the large brick bull
dings the violent motion produced a general
commotion among crockeryware. Vessels
containing liquids were turned over, either
by the shock or in the hurry Of the inmates
to escape. Every disturbance was credited
earthquake, however, and it appeared to be
an almost unanimous opinion that San Fran
cisco was about to share the fate of Jeddo
The bowling of dogs and fearful believing
of cattle in the suburbs, produced fitting
accompaniment to the scene. Even the pigs
broke from their pens and ran away grunt
ing with fright. The horses tied in stalls
fairly shrieked with terror and tried to break
their halters. Indeed, every animate and in
animate thing was more or less affected by
the shock. We hear of some very remarka-
BILE Incidents of birds seeking refuge from
the Impending danger by fight throug Oh open
windows. From night-watchmen and 9th.
ers whose duties kept them from sleep, we
learn that there were several slight shocks
previous to the shock.
VIOLENCE OF THE SHOCK.
Some estimate may be formed of the VIC
man sleeping on the third floor of the Gus
tom House building, was thrown from the
bed to the floor. The walls of this building
are composed of masonry capable of resist
ing brcadsidc from ship of the line. Not
outstanding it's immense bulk and strength
the building was tossed like feather on the
wave.
SCENE IN MONTGOMERY BLOCK.
There was a scene of unusual excitement
and terror in Montgomery Block, the large
and substantial building on Montgomery st
AS soon as the first movement in the build
ing occurred, the inmates of the various
rooms were awakened and leaped to thei
doors in the greatest imaginable haste.
The different halls in the successive stories
of the building were soon filled with the ter
ror-stricken occupants-running hither ant
thither in their sleeping habiliments towards
the various stairways which lead down into
the street. Some of those who occupied
apartments in the fourth or highest story
rushed from their rooms regardless of theil
nudity, and came jumping and tumbling down
the stairs, clearing them in bound or two
at the most, and with white lips and chat
tering teeth, held their way until they reach.
ed the ground. The building was certainly
jostled with great violence by the quake, but
it moved as though it stood on elastic springs
Not the slightest cracking or evidence of :
collapse was heard or seen in any part Of it
An amusing incident occurred when til,
commotion was at its greatest height. A
gentleman who occupies room on the thirt
story, and is perhaps blessed with more thar
an ordinary share of resignation and forti
tude, was aroused by the shock and was seer
leisurely opening his door as the inmates were
flying down the stairways. He calmly ask
ed what was the matter, and was answered
by the flying occupants in this wise:
can earthquake ! an earthquake Run
the building is coming down. Don't 70,
feel it?"
Mr.. -, with the greatest apparent as
constituent, replied:
can earthquake Oh, d-n it, is tina
all2 Pm going to bed again." and slammins
the door violently as if indignant at tn,
alarm of his friends, retired, and was seer
no more until 10 o'clock, A. M
SCENES AT THE HOTELS.
The CONSERVATION among the inmates O
the large hoteEpceasioned icehas vhtch:n,a,
be better Imagined. than desciibed.: :Tlt
population Of the .Rassette House rushed
tthbled Of :precbitated itself, down stair
ways and. int tho street; ana such an:artaj
of beauty unadorned was never before wit
messed in San Francisco. This edifce, it is
said, shows no marks of injury by the shock
The scene at Wilson's Exchange, St. Nicho
Las Hotel and International Hotel were equal
y remarkable. The occupants of Wilson's
Exchange took refuge in the Tehama House
winch is frame and consequently in less
danger than the other. MANY of the inmates
,cl ~