Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-04-17
SHOCKS AND SMELLS.
Particulars Ofthe Recent Earthquake
i'm California.
San Francisco Chronicle.

Probably the severest earthquake
ever felt in this city since the great
one IN 1868, occurred last week. Tt
was perceptible in all parts of the
city, but varied in the effect it pro
duced IN different localities. On the
made ground from Montgomery
street TO the bay, it was most violent;
on the hills 1t was felt less severely,
0elng only a gentle rocking motion.
On the bay there was q sudden swell.
was felt on all the vessels. and espec-
lalIy ON the ferry boats. There were
two distinct shocks, at an interval of
nall an hour. The vibration of both
was from northeast to southwest. The
first shock consisted of three tremors
the tlrst was an upheaval. the sec
ond a setting back and the third
waVy vibration. The second shocl
consisted of short vibrations. which
seemed to cone from opposite direc-
tons and clash together. The first
shock continued eight seconds, and
the second, although not so violent
gas much longer in duration. lasting
fifteen seconds.
The earthquake was the theme of
conversation In homes and nublic
places for several hours afterwards
Every one in the hotels was discus
sing 1t, and those who arrived Ina the
city later were especially excited by
it.
IS nearly as could be learned the
shocks were felt with greatest violence
IN the great business blocks on Mar
ket street, below Montgomery, and in
the old city hall and the Western
Union building. At the latter place
the entire battery in the telegraph
rooms was shaken up and the acid in
the 1000 cups spilled on the floor. If
the shock had been a trihe more severe
1T would have completely destroyed
the batteries. AS it was, the connec-
tions between the cups held them to-
gether and guaranteed them from be-
ing thrown over. TGlegraphic COM
was not seriously inter
rupted. The telegraphic wires along
Montgomery street, which are about
six inches apart, FLASHED together in
their vibrations. The rickety old CITY
nall was perhaps shaken up more than
any other building in the city. The
windows ratified, the floors trembled.
the walls shook. The police officers
at once started for the street to arrest
the disturber, but he was not to be
found. An officer who was standing
on Merchant street, at the doorway of
the police station, talking to a gentle
man, was thrown forward four feet
and fell against his companion. Judge
Ferral left his court room without
much ceremony.
A great deal of damage was done
to number of buildings on Market
street. Marcus @. Hawley's hardware
store, on the corner of Main was
cracked from the ground to the roof.
Some of the rents in the wall were an
inch wide. The store of Holbrook,
Merrill & Stetson, on Market and
BeaIe, was shaken up and one of the
walls cracked. The foundries in the
Of Main and Beale SITS.
felt the effects of the shocks, piles of
frames and loose materials being over
turned. The buildings were reported
to the Fire Wardens as being made
unsafe hy the earthquake
On the bay high swell suddenly
rose, which broke against the sea-walI,
Passengers on the ferries felt sudden
heaving Of the boats, as though they
had been struck by heavy sea. Sail
ors on the vessels in the barber per
ceived at once that an unusual swell
passed over the water
At o'clock yesterday afternoon
terrible earthquake shook Oakland TO
its center, and caused lofty buildings
to rock like a ship in storm. The
shock was preceded by a
very mild tremhle, which was follow
ed by low rumbling noise, and then
came the grand climax. So great was
the oscillation that pictures hanging
upon the walls of houses two stories
in height banged against the walls
like castancts, erockeryware ratified
on the shelves in the closets, and in
one or two Of the boarding houses a
momentary panic prevailed. The res
idents Of Oakland were IN mOmentary
of more shocks, but none
came during the evening.