Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-04-18
The Disturbed Territory,

Inyo County, which adioins San Ber-
nardne and Tulare Counties, in South
eastern California, and which was the
scene OF the late earthquake, lies entirely
east of Sierra Nevada, comprising ter
ritory which unites the base Of our great
range with the Nevada plateau. Its
name is derived from minor range run
ming through the center of the county,
nearly north end south, and forming u
continuation of the White Mountain
range, in Mono County, on the north.
The main crest of the Sierra forms the
western boundary of the county, and is
dominated by Mounts Tyndal and Whit
ney, respectively from $4,000 to l5,0 900
feet high, the latter being the highest
known peak in the Union. The Pana-
mint and ArmOgosa ranges lie to the
eastward OF the Inyo range, and are sim.
liar in character to the mountains which
rise above the level Of the rest of the
Nevada plateau. The famous Ovens
Lake, u body of salt water twenty-one
by eight miles in extent, which is sunk
at least 100 feet below sea level, and is
probably the bed of an extinct salt lake.
The general features Of the country are
rug9edness, sterility and volcanic desola'
ton, ending at the south in a complete
desert. Along Ovens River, however,
there is considerable arabic land, where
few settlements have been made, as
centres of supply for the rich vein mines
OF silver and gold being developed in
the mountains.
Lone Pine is the centre of mining
district of that name, situated on the
western base Of the Inyo mountains, not
very far cast of Mount Whitney, and
containing population Of probably not
more than 500. Like all other mining
camps, the buildings Of Lone Pine, com
prising about twenty shops in addition
to dwellings, are slight frame structures,
on cabins. The earthquake must have
been very severe that could PROSTATE
and ruin fifty such houses in one place,
and destroy twenty-three lives. The de-
called accounts, which may be expected
in a few days, will doubtless possess
thrilling interest. At Independence,
the county-seat of Inyo, the brick Court
house was prostated, a child killed, and
the earth cracked for distance of fifty
miles.
Previous to the catastrophe at Lone
Pine, there had been no earthquake in
California attended by loss of life since
the great shock of 1912, which destroyed
the Mission of San Juan Capistrano, in
Los Angeles County, and the Mission of
PuriSsima, in Santa Barbara County,
which are about ITO miles apart, and are
both near the coast. These Missions
were built Of adobes, the churches being
large and heavy, but not very strong.
The shock occurred on q sunday in Sep
TENDER, and the first shake Frustrated
the Church at San Juan, buryins in its
ruins many who we're there worshi ping
at the time, the number of lives lost be-
ing variously stated at thirty to forty
five. A number OF lives were lost at the
Purissima Mission. Two or three deaths
resulted from the earthquake Of October,
1868, at San Leludro and San Francisco.
but they were caused by the falling Of
brick parapets upon persons passing in
the street, There is no reason to sup
pose that the shock Of 1872 was more
severe than that of 1868. The buildings
Of thai time were not capable Of much
resistance, yet had the shock occurred at
any other time than Sunday, when peo
pie were assembled in the church, no
lives would probably have been lost.
The Tnyo-shocll was both more heavy,
prolonged and extensive than that of
1912, and the locality of its origin is
very different in character.-C California;
Puper.