The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1856-04-03

From the Ats Csliiosnisa.

The residents OF this city were aroused this
morning. at 70 minutes past D O'Clock. BY q
shock Of an earthquake, which was felt 10 every
portion Of tho town. The vibration appeared
10 DO from N. L. TO s. w. aud a far as Va
can learn not single building escaped the ter
rible shock. The first movement OF the earth
vas very sudden. and the buildings swayed "a
and fro heavily Afterwards. and finally the VI
braiions were short and rapid. Evidences Of
tho violence OF tho shock we're visible 10 differ
ent portions Of the city this morning. and il is
surprising, that there was not much more dam
age done. The Gre wall on the top Of the store
occupied by Messrs. GOODWIN 4 Co., on From,
street. was entirely thrown from the north side
tho building into Oregon street. The store Is
newly built. and the mortar appears to have
been Of an inferior quality, or greatly injured
from the recent rains, 80 that there was but lit
lie adhesive quality left.
Two buildings at the corner Of Battery and
Washington streets, occupied by Sweetzer
Hutchngs 4 Co, and the bank OF Messrs Bur.
goyne & Co., were separated about three inch
nate Is bad II been 10 direction parallel with
the streets either way, itseiiect would have been
more disastrous.
The occupants Of large brick hotels and
boarding houses were terribly frightened, and
in many cases rushed wildly Into the street for
safety. The Rassctte, which Is small town
in itself. was the scene Of great excitement
Men. women and children were seen rushing
through the halls Ia their night clothes, seeking
safety from the supposed danger
In nearly every portion OF the city we hear
Of houses being Injured more or less. The plas.
A. .I~.l - IN
from the walls Of Wilson's Exchange. Interna.
tonal Hotel. fremont House, st. Nicholas Ho.
tel. the Merchants Exchange building and the
City Hall.
The shock WA more severely felt at Oakland
than here, aud various rumors arc ahoat OF
damage to the government works at Fort Point
and Alcatras Island; aud also tho Faraones
are said to be affected very materially.
The vibrations were attended with heavy
report resembling the discharge OF distant ar
tiilery but were continuous and produced q
deep. low rumbling sound.
This earthquake has been the only theme Of
interest on the street to-day, and We have yet
TO meet the Grst person who was not affected by
tho shock. II appeared to be most sensibly felt
on, towards Fort Point than any locality we
have heard from. The small dwellings in ,ha,
vicinity were rocked like cradle. and persons
were Dearly thrown out Of their beds II is by
oil means the nest violen, earthquake that has
been known in San Francisco since its settle
mept by the Americans.
There were several slight shocks felt during
the night. bat did not attract particular atten-
tiou. The fnt one occurred about 3 O'Clock,
aud ths second shout o'e.ock, and were fol.
lowed BY the grand convusiou mentioned
above.
The double cylinder sssAm prsss Of the Alta
California once was in iun motion. but the
shock 20 disturbed the working Of the engine
a,d other machinery, that for Q moment every.
thing cone to complete stop. The eogine,
however. soon revived. struggled. and finally
commencsd operations in good earnest, and the
pres returned to its duty, throwing Oh sheets
- usual. at the rate Of six thousand per hour.
Instances Of persous being thrown out Of
bed, Of clocks stopping, brrskipg Of Window
cracking Of walls and aisarranging Of household
things geo&rally are entirely too Numerous to
mention. The whole city was in uproar. and
the entire population q good deal alarmed,
while many were nearly frantic. People rush
Cd wildly into the streets in their night clothes
and stood smascd and astoanded at what bad
hapPsped.
The markets bad just opened, and those with.
IN len their stals untended 70 ssek refuge IN
the open streets.
Many amusing incidents are related Of the
occupants Of the large public houses. The sud
den alarm Of IRE could not produce half the
that prevailed in them. All
Ages and sexes rushed pe'l nell to the avenues
Of esrvss. in their cagernsss to get out Of the
bulldiuyS Withont ever stopping 10 rather up