New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-04-25
PACIFIC COAST SHAKEN.
AN UNUSUALLY VIOLENT EARTHQUAKE IN
SAN FRANCISCO.
1T CAME TOO LATE TO RESTORE THE CREDIT OF
THOSE WHO HAD PRoPHEsIED DISASTER
AS MANY AS THIRTEEN VIBRATIONS
PERCEIvED-THE SAN JUAN MIS-
SION CHURCH DAMAGED.
IBY rELEGRApH TO TIE TRIBuNE.I


San Francisco April 24-An earthquake shock
that would have made the fortune OF Prophet Erickson
and the doom m-scalers if it had occurred on April
"a reused san Flanciscans from their slumbefs al
half past O'Clock this morning. 1t began WIN
shock that brought three quarters of the sleeping
population out of bed. Then before the people knew
just what had happened began a series OF violent
movements, ending with twisting motion that madc
walls crack, chandeliers sway and loose crockery
and pictures tumble to the floor. 1t was the
sevcrcst shock since the great earthquake of 1853 and
though few will admit 1t. the greater part OF those
who live in tall buildings rushed cut into the corrlsors
and down to the street TO seek safety.
The first shock light, coming at twenty SIX
minutes past and lasting only five seconds. Then
q minute later began the big shock. which continued
for twenty seconds the direction teing from cast TO
west. The clock was stopped in the Coast survey
Office and the door-be rung at the house OF
Professor Davidson the expert on scismoogy this
coast The professor was fully prepared for the
occurrence. lie took note of the duration, ana
extent Of the shock the instrument which he Keeps
at the head OF his bed.
The large number Of guests at the Palace Hotel
seriously disturbed by the shock, and many
udicrous scenes were witnessed in tie corridors.
one old gentleman at the Occidental Hotel, who had
been restrained with difficulty from fleeing to the
mountains ten days ago, when the Oakland crnks pre-
dccd tidal wave, now thought his time had come He
rushed downstairs in his nightshirt, and had
several blocks toward the ferry before he was
caught by a ncctfootcd nightwatchman and brought
back. The work Of the earthquake is plainly obserV-
able at the United states Appraisers building. which
had two Cracks widened. These now extend from the
sidewalk tD the roof. There a visible settlement
of the huge pile in the centre The ancient postofce
she'd plastcrng and loose bricks that had been waiting
to fall ont for years. Water pipes burst in
several parts OF the city, in sver-st doing con-
siderable damage TO the street.
The major in charge Of the salvation Army wandered
from his bed and ordered the long roll to be sounded
before he assumed his regmentals. As the drum
rolled brethren and sisters poured in. arraycd in raj
mcnt only fitted for angels AS prayer about
TO be offered Gabriel Antonell Italian fish ped
Ter. who was very drunk. straycd along the street,
and excited by the shouts IN the salvation head
quartcrs gave a lusty blast Of hi, fish horn. Down
went the soldiers on their knees with prayers and
lame ,tatIous.
"That j., Gabriel that IS Gabriel all shouted.
They were right about Gabriel but he went on
footing hi, horn until policeman took him in for
drunkenness. and he paid fine Of - this morning.
Dispatches from many points Of the state show
that the shock was general. Tie chief damage was
cone 10 the railroads the Santa Clara and salinas
Valleys. The bridge at the Raiara River was thrown
on, Of line two feet and the approaches to 1t were
dsuagcd necessatng A construction train for repairs.
rhe Monterey and santa Cruz morning trains were
unable to connect. Considerable damage Is reported
from san juan OF falling chmneys and some also
at Camp sargeant.
Reports from Mayhcd near the site OF Leland stan
ford University say "The plastering was cracked 10
many buildings The temperature was II degrees
and not breath of air stirring when the sioc !,
Samc Tall trees swayed TO and fro, making loud
Kissing noise The railroad track south OF ere nsaa
pe.ralero moved few inches out OF line The bridge
j. npassaic al both ends The piers. which are sixty
o.. th and a
,hc raIls we're pulled a foot further apart.
The ground settled from six TO twelve inches In some
places. - p,. ,.o,r,v
savS Thirteen distinct shocks were felt and during
the entire two hours, a continuous rocking notion
va, oi-crvabc.'
Al san Juan ten we'll defined shocks Of earthquake
were felt The north wall of The convent was thrown
nuf causing panic among the ninety children. Ihey
zero removed In safety. The old Mission Church was
cracked In several places The vibration was so great
that tile bells tollcd In the beliry.