Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-08-12
Earthquakes tn the United Ssases.
TIE sHAkTNG CT WHICH CALIFORNIA HAS HAp-A
RECORD OF PREVIOUS SHOCKS

TIE SHAKING CT WHICH CALIFORNIA HAS HAD
RECORD OF PREVIOUS SHOCKS
From the New York Tribune
California has always been considered the par
ucuiar thester ofearthQuakes In the United states
Shocks OF more or less violence are felt from two
TO three times every year. so that the Inhabitants
OF san Francisco feel regret II does not happen
when eastern friends are visiting them II was
generally felt that the Jersey Lily, Mis- Ianrtry
was unfortunate In not getting the sensation and
peculiar pleasure OF q mid earth-rumbung. But
there have been numerous times when earthquakes
In tahiornia have been more than PLAYFUL and
have shown the hidden forces OF nature with a
power that was terrifying. In 1889 the Mission OF
san Gabrlel was totally destroyed by an earth
quake This was While the gold fever was at its
height In October SOS occurred the heaviest mani
iestaton OF the Mind on the Pacific slope since the
terrific oscillation in all the little villages and small
towns In Alemeda and adIo,ninG counties living nt
the foot or the Contra Costa range The ctDfrSi
point appeared TO be at Haywards Here small
houses were thrown down. tues OF large size wer,,
twisted and Killed and chimneys were bent and
distorted In the most varied and peculiar fashions
There WAS no wind. but a dead calm: nor was any
rumhling sound heard. The roads were heaved up
and iui1owei IN an extraordinary manner. and the
same phenomenon was repeated over In san Fran-
cisco. on the oher side OF the bay Here no violent
Isolation ,Sc was felt upon the big hiu which was
low IL. on Montgomery and kearney streetA be.
tween certain blocks there was great damage Tho
Bank OF California, which had recently been built
10y Ralston in solid fashion OF stone was sur
mounted 10y heavy cornice OF spelter. This WAS
detached and thrown upon the sidewalk by the vio-
lent oscillation OF the walls How great that osciI-
latlon was may be judged from the fact that small
objects like cups and saucers and glasses were
thrown from tables and broken on the 1oor AT
that time the principal hotels were the occidental
Lick House and Cosmopolitan. Pictures vibraiad
on the walls 50 fearfully and the plaster dropped
IN such masses from the ceilings that the guests
came terrified and many rushed into the Corridors In
complete deShabille, too frightened dress Them
selves and believing the destruction OF the CITY i'm
vrhf
nest.s at the foot OF Contra Costa. the old adobe
church was completely wrecked, but Il was very
Old and In a tuinble-down condition before the
shock The house OF Senior Vallejo the brother OF
Gen. Vallejo, the well-known Californian politician
and also OF adobe. In March, 1872. there WAS an
other severe earthquake. on November 4 1877.
shocks Of considerable intensity and covering pc
ro' OF forty seconds were felt In northern New
York, Massachusetts,, Vermont, New Hampshire
and Ca ada Some OF these were severe. Build
lngs Were shaken, bells rung and considerable
minor damage inflicted.
ON November Is, 1877, earthquake shocks were
felt over Wide area. comprising Ransas Nebraska,
ings were shaken, and In some Instances cracked.
but not thrown down. ON the following day there
was slight shock felt at Knoxville, Tenn.
Early on the morning OF october 5, lSs q severe
shock was felt along both sides the Hudson rver
from West Point 10 Peekskil IL was local vista.
Hudson.
on November 20 OF the same year there wers
heavy earthquake shocks, lasting one minute ten
seconds, extending through Illinois, Indiana, and
as lar south as Little Rock, Ark. They covered an
area OF 10000 square miles Walls OF houses wero
ton WAS made the subject OF extended scientino
research.
There was severe shock felt throughout Florida
on the morning OF January II, 1879 In some OF the
larger cities and towns the vibrations SUM
GENTLY severe 10 crack the walls OF buildings.
throw crockery from shelves and DO other DAMAGE
On December 80 OF the same year there was
Slight shock felt In parts OF Dakota.
on the morning OF January % there was q slight
M q m ms RI M hafn Nm Ar
There were several slight shocks OF earthquake
1eit In Dover, Contocook, Concord and other parts
OF New Hampshire on December 20, lisa The
damage done In each case was slight
on september Is or the same year shocks were
felt In ST Louis, springfield and other points In
was done.