The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-02-28
FIRST EDITION
THE CALIFORNIA EARTHQUAKE.


Hotels, schools, Churches, and Public
Buildings.
The San Francisco Bulletin of February 1s
says-
There was q very lively and disagreeably sug-
gestive shock of earthquake yesterday, which,
according to the observation of Thomas Ten
nent, occurred at ~ minutes and % seconds
past ~ o'clock, NJ, with duration OF seven
seconds, and direction of southeast aud nortL-
west. 1t was sufficient to cause general panic,
but no damage was done to buildings, either
public or private so far as we could ascertain at
the time of going to press.
thronged with people, was intense, and gene
raj stampede was made for the doors, as public
confidence in the stability of that structure IS
not very strong In the Police Court, the exami-
nation of a gambling case was about COM
mencing. Lawyers, officers, and prisoners
started for the door, but Judge Sawyer called
out -"It is over; stop these men u The bailif
obeyed, and shut the door. In few minutes
there was not many people remaining In the
hall and it's vicinity was tbronged. The pris-
oners in the basement we're in tight place, and
felt more than ever the value of liberty.
At the hotels in the city the CONSERVATION was
great. There was universal stampede for the
outside. Ladies and children screamed, and
many of the former fainted through fear and
terror. Every street was black with people,
before the shock had fairly ceased.
At the Washington Street Baptist Church there
was large congregation in attendance on fune-
raj ceremonies There was the silence of the
tomb, aud the choir had just struck up ''The
Rock of Ages" when the earth lifted and
trembled All knew instantly what was at hand.
The pastor and congregation were seized with
the impulse to run, and rush was made for
the door. Four or five ladies tainted and fell
down in the aisles; Others screamed and called
for help. Several teams in front of the church
ran away Some of the ladies were put in
carriages and conveyed home in an unconscious
state. Fortunately no one was seriously injured.
Immediately after the earth's trembling had
&c tn1 an t,fn ff,,rr
panorama. The man who was not frightened
but who still trembed from fear-could be seen
talking and making gestures. Then there was
the man who was sure great damage had been
DONE almost dislocating his neck to look at the
upper stories of tall buildings and straining his
eyes to find a shattered pane of glass. To
him every little crevice appeared double its
real size, and every other building seemed out
of plumb.
A buxom matron of about forty-five summers
was vending her way along Battery street. near
Washington, when the shock commenced, and
she was perfectly demoralized for the time
being. Contrary to the general estimate OF
maternal feeling she deposited her cherub on
the curbstone and started off on a keen run.
She subsequently remembered that she had left
something behind, and returned for the babe.
1t was fortunate that the shock occurred about
the time for recess at the schools, so that many
of the children were playing around in the
yards. In the schools which were in session at
the time the teachers generally were cool and
self-pOssessed, keeping the children under
control.
At the branch of the High School and the
Training School in the Jewish Synagogue on
Sutter street, quite panic occurred, and the
shock is said to have been very vigorous.
Several of the misses tainted, but no one was
injured.
There are 600 young ladies attending the
Rincon Girls Grammar School, and we learn
from Mr.. Knowlton, Principal, that not one left
her seat until the school was dismissed.
reporter of the Bulletin was in the Harbor
Police Station on Davis street, near Pacific,
cOnversing with several guardians of the peace.
1t is needless to remark that the shocks changed
. the current of the conversation. The buildings
and piles swayed and creaked, but the waters OF
the bay showed no unusual commotion. The
people around the wharyes seemed little fright
ened, and evidently felt comparatively secure in
their location.
The old Merchants Exchange had some of the
old creyices widened a little, but not enough to
accomplish any harm.
Reading-room, classroom. and magazine
room were quickly emptied of their occupants
at the Mercantile Library, when the shock was
felt, and the terrified men came pouring pell
neil down the broad stairway. Books were
thrown aside, chessnen scattered in all drec
tions, and the idea of take care of yourself
and never mind your neighbor" took lnstanta
neous possession of every one. There was MOI
time even for an exchange OF opinions upon the
probable extent of the danger. The rattling o.
chandeliers first proclaimed the vibration of the
building, and those who gained the street frs
looked up with pallid faces, fearing to see the
bricks come clattering upon them.
Those who were partaking of their midday
meal in the Merchants Exchange dropped
knives and plates and rushed for the doors
From the rooms up stairs the men came rushing
down, and California street was soon full
and the buildings deserted. In the entry
the Bank of British North America, woman
leaned against a wall perfectly paralyzeG
with fear and, by way of shutting out the dan
ger, ostrich-ike, she drew her shawl over hel
head and awaited the coming of the enemy.
gentleman who had been enjoying his batf
in the Occidental HOTEL appeared in the stree
in very natural state ladies in their morning
gowns, forgetting chigDons, etc, joined In th'
stampade, and costumes were forgotten in th'
Il .au,iL.