The Republican journal., 1872-04-04
san FRANCISCO. March 81

San FRANCISCO, March 81
Dispatches have been received from
the volcanic district in 70 county. 400
miles south of the earthquake disaster
tuesday. Shocks still continue, though
with decreased violence 1t is remarka-
bic that only Slight shock WAS felt in
central and northern California Cerro
Gordo was badly damaged, having sever
al buildings thrown down and one man
killed.
Lone Pine appears to have been direct
lv over the center of disturbance The
first shock is described as resembling
park OF artillery fired directly beneath the
town. Col. Whipple, who was in the
second story OF the Adobe House, states
that ne was lust in time to Jump from bed
and get to the doorway, when the house
appeared to crumble to pieces beneath
him. He was buried beneath ruins, but
succeeded in extracting himself from the
debris, having received several severe
but not dangerous wounds. The scene
beggars description. Nearly the whole
populace was buried beneath the ruins
Cries for help and screams Of pain from
the wounded from beneath the ruins,
filled the air, while those who escaped
were calling for aid to rescue fathers
mothers, wives and children.
The first shock was followed in quick
succession by three others. Over 800 dis
tinct shocks We're felt between half past
two and sunrise. In fact, the earth was
in constant tremhIe over three hours
a chasm was opened, extending IS miles
down the valley, ranging from three
inches to forty feet in width. Rocks were
torn from their places and rolled down
into the valley.
AT Swansea, Col Tregallos, of the
smelling works was killed, and great des-
olation prevails among the inhabitants of
Lone Pine.
Dispatches to-day from Visalia SAYS
several shocks were felt in that city last
night, and were still coming from the
southeast. Persons anticipate finding i'm
mense chasms in the mountains east OF US
as soon as the snow disappears enough
10 permit an investigation. There are
rumors Of volcano in active operation,
seen from the summit of Green Hood
Mountains, sixty miles south Of Visalia
The rumor is considered at least dubious
The Indians in the vicinity have all lett,
fearing recurrence Of the general con-
WILSON'S of nature which occurred in that
region some hundred years ago and Great
ed what is known as Owens river valley,
but which was before chain of noun
tains. The section affected by the earth
quake was sparsely inhab mainly by
! people engaged in working silver bearing
lead mines.
| Additional advices from lingo county
place the number of killed by the earth
| Ia IuQSdaU of
ed. In the desert country stretching from
Owens Lake to the Mexican line are in
numerate craters not long extinct, besides
several mud volcanoes. and it is supposed
some Of the old volcanoes may be in erup-
ton again.
A gentleman from Independence asserts
that smoke and ashes from the volcanoes
were distinctly seen southwark from tina t
place, and word had been brought there
that lava was seen flowing down the
mountain, but the report was not anthem
tlcated. The shocks continued decreasing
In force up to Thursday morning when
over thousand had been counted.
AT 1lbbett's Ranch, Is miles above In
dependence, 40 acres of ground sunk
seven feet below the surface OF the sur
rounding country. Big Owens Lake has
| TlSeU lCuI ltel slIlce INC uFSl SHOCKS. and
Owens river ran over its banks depositlng
shoals OF fish on the shore. Afterwards
it receded. For three or four miles through
Lone Pine the earth cracked, and one
side remained stationary while the other
sank eight feet leaving wall of earth ex
tending over three miles in length where
formerly there was level plain.
lnnumerable cracks were made through.
out the valley. Kern and Owens rivers
turned and ran up stream several minutes,
leaving their beds dry, and finally return
ed with srgely increased volume. There
has been no parallel to this earthquake
since 1872, when the missions OF San Juan.
Copistrano and La Puressema, in southern
California, were DESTROYED.
The earthquake is /. matter of common
conversation throughout California, bu,
creates no apprehensions outside OF tn e
district affected.