The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-05-16
Eartliqnasses-- Some Curious Stories
about the Manifestations of EIec-
tricity I'm California

about the Manifestations of Elec-
tricity I'm California.
The 1nyo California; Independent of April
10th relates these singular circumstances
" Scientific men everywhere are busy in
investigating the cause Of those terrible cnIl-
vlllsons OF the earth, earthquakes, and there
Is faint hope that something of value NAV
be deduccd from their inquiries. It seems
to be generally conceded that electricity in
some form is the prime cause OF these move
ments Of the earth. 1t is much TO be hoped
that some person or persons possessing the
necessary scientific attainments Will pay this
section visit. No better place or opportt.-
nifty was ever presented to American scicll-
fists to investigate these phenomena on their
own soil than this country has afforded
during the past two or three weeks.
For the information of such we win
mention 4 few facts, mainly relating
to electrical phenomena, that have oc-
Cured within our knowledge. \ few days
after the big shock, so called, ut Cerro Gordo
very loud thunder was heard during vio-
lent snow-storln. With the exception of the
snow, the same thing occurred here and per-
hapS ut other places in the valley. This iS
remarkable, because almost unprecedented.
whose judgment and yeiacity are b.yond
question, while sitting on the ground near
the Eclipse mine, saw sheets Of flame on the
Inyo mountains, but a half mile distant.
These flames, observed in several places,
waved to and fro apparently clear Of the
ground, like vast torches. They continued
for only few minutes. 1t this office one
day last week, while one oi' the proprietors
S.IsI ii,lr 81 Ian,
cap paper through job press, these sheets,
alter leaving the press, were affected by the
movements OF the operators hand us a
strong magnet would affect iron filings.
When his hand was near them the whole pile.
or at least hundred Of them from the top,
seemed to float in the air like tissue paper
III slight breeze. The top sheet would
raise at cach end up To the hand when
held four inches above il, and thus hy attrac-
non be moved entirely away from the
| olilefs. AT times during the night sparks OF
hie were repeatedly emitted from Il wOolen
shawl on being touched bv the hand. At
the hcalSar@c Mill, located ut an altitude of
nearly 5000 feet above the Sea, the following
occurrence was noted by Harry Clawson and
p.J. Joslyn: The former, while sitting with
ms Knee within about three inches of a cast,
iron stove, felt Il peculiar numbing sensation,
ana supposing his limbs were "asecp,"
e>sayed to rub them with his hand. AS soon
Is his hand touched his knee lie felt shock,
and Immediately after and for number oil
seconds a stream of fire ran between both
knees and the stove. We Will here, on the
authority Of il man who had an opportunity
of Knowing, state that the item going the
rounds to the effect that no movement of the
earth was observable 800 feet under ground,
nj the mines, is not correct. At Ccrro GordO,
and also at the Eclipse mine, the rocking
motion was distinctly observed. especially in
the timhcring. Small particles of rock were
detached. and in both places the miners went
TO the surface in alarm, but ut Ccrro Cord,
they soon resumed work as before. No sub
>cqucnt shock has been remarked at that
Grplh.'