Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-10-27
Earthquake at San Francisco.

The following dispatches give an account Of
the terrible earthquake which has taken place
at San Francisco:
SAN FRANCISCO, October 2l.-The streets
are crowded this evening with an excited multi
tude, discussing the particulars of the disastrous
earthquake. Twelve shocks were felt during the
day. The direction of the shock was from the
north to the South--some descriptions give a
rotary motion. The greatest damage extends in
belt several hundred feet wide, and running
about northwest and southeast, commencing
near the Custom house, and ending at Folsom
street wharf, injuring and demolshing about
twelve buildings In It's course. At the corner
of Market and First streets the ground opened
several inches wide and about forty and forty
five feet long. The City Hall may be consider
ed perfect wreck. The courts have all adjourn
ed, and the prisoners have been taken from the
station-houses to the county jail. All the pa
tents in the United States Marine Hospital
have been removed. the building having been
declared unsafe The chimney of the United
Enlistment is closed for repairs Hager's type
foundry suffered greatly.
The Lincoln School house is badly damaged
and the large statue in front of the building
completely buried. All business at the General
Delivery Postoffice is temporarily suspended
The San Francisco Gas Works suffered severely
the tall chimney having been thrown over, fell
through the roof The Mission Woollen Mills
is considerably damaged. The large chimney
of the sugar refinery on Eighth street is badly
cracked. The gable end on the girls side Of
the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institute fell in
crushing through the ceilings. Many chimneys
in the southern part of the city were thrown
| down, but no one was seriously injured by them
Only four lives have been reported lost, although
| numbers are seriously injured by the falling
debris. The water in the bay was perfectly
| smooth at the time of the shocks, and no per
ceptible disturbance took place. The shock wa
felt aboard the shipping in the harbor, as if the
vessels had struck upon rock f'.p
The earthquake was severe In the interior
| Shocks were felt at Sacramento and Stockton
| The Central Coast and Alameda Company
building was thrown down, and some lives lost
The Mare Island Navy Yard experienced twt
heavy shocks. Several buildings were thrown
down, and some of the buildings considerabl,
shaken; but no serious injury occurred.
| At Red Wood City the large brick court hous
is little better than wreck, and all the count,
| officers have moved out
| At Marysville light shock was felt, and a
Grass Valley the shock was severe. At Sonor
the shocks were light, but they continued near
ly all day. elt
Another shock was felt at seven P. M. 9
NEW YORK, October 3D. Private despache
from San Francisco say that the total loss b
the earthquake will not exceed $500, 900.
| SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 23.-215 P. M.-An
other severe shock of an earthquake has sen
the people shrieking into the streets in thei
night clothes.
The atmosphere is thick and the weathe
| warm.
Three O clock Il. M-The excitement ha
somewhat quieted, but the people evince n
desire to return to their houses,
Second Dispatch
| SAN FRANCISCO, Oct 3.-Euening.-On
thirty five persons so far have been seriousl
hurt by the earthquake, and five killed. A yer
slight shock occurred at 7 80 this morning.
Business is proceeding as usual The weathe
is very thick, with slight rain