The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-10
EARTH HKAvED AND WATERS ROSE
Details of the Tidal Wave and Earth
quakes in Sonora. Mexico.


YUMA, Ariz., Aug. s.-Cocopah Smith,
an American trapper, accompanied by
Gardner, a hunter, and Espito, Cocopah
Indian, have returned from the Gulf OF
California, and give additional details
concerning the earthquake and tidal wave
of Thursday last. About O'Clock
the country about five miles be-
low the Lerdo colony in the
state Of Sonora, Mexico, on the Colorado
river. The sky darkened and thunder
storm arose, accompanied by great flashes
of lightning. The river rose as the huge
wave from the gulf was driven inland,
and corrals, fences and landing places
were washed away by the rushing waters.
The shaking Of the ground increased, and
the cracking, grinding noise of crumbling
hills was intensified. The second shock
caused the earth to open in many
places, some of the assures being four
TO seven feet wide, and from twenty to
thirty feet long, and seemingly fathom-
less. Men were thrown to the ground by
the force Of this shock. About a mile
from Lerda they noticed a fssure in the
middle of the river bed, into which the
Colorado was pouring with much noise.
The third shock of earthquake destroyed
three small habitations OF the coIonists
and cracked the remaining ones. No
human lives were lost. but large amount
of live stock was killed.
YUMA, Ariz., Aug. s.-The damage done
by the earthquake IN Sonora was princi-
pally in herds of cattle in that region The
settlements there are small, but il IS feared
that J. Milton, G.. Larsen and 7. Thurson,
who went down to the gulf several weeks
ago. are drowned, as no trace Of them can
be found.
YUMA, A. T.. Aug. 9-Reports continue
10 come in from the earthquake region at
the head of the Gulf of California. Two
Cocopah Indians of the tribe that live near
there arrived here yesterday. They tell
thrilling story. Early Thursday morning
hundreds of mud volcanoes, which are
some thirty miles of, burst into violent
eruption. Instead of mud, however, lava
and flames were projected into the air.
The Indians covered, praying on the bank
OF the river. The sair grew denser, and
many infants were suffocated. At last q
violent thunderstorm cleared the air,
only to show tidal waves approaching with
frigntful rapidity. Water rose, s.al-
lowing their cattle. horses, grain and
fields. driving them for life 10 the top of
the Mesa mountains, hundreds Of feet
higher than the river.
Earthquake shocks then began, the
fourth throwing every one down, seriously
iniuring many. Dust darkened the air.
Tie rumbiing Of the earthquake, sharp ex-
plosions of distant volcanoes, believing Of
crazed cattle made an unbearable uproar.
and the frightened Indians broke and fed
wildly up the river. Two only succeeded
in reaching here, who tell the story.
Others dropped exhausted along the route.
Jose Perez, q cattle man from Laredo,
and five men witnessed the scene from the
top of a Hill TO which they had escaped.
They report the tidal wave fully 100 feet
high. and also a river Of blush purple IRE,
which was flowing down the Colorado near
the gulf. This il undoubtedly from the
sulphur mountain which was set on fire
by the volume Of burning material thrown
out by the volcanoes. The existence Of an
immense crevasse IN the bottom Of the
Colorado river Is confirmed. but. although
the river flows into il, considerable water
escapes on each side and flows into the
gulf Much property was destroyed The
residence and all the valuable building.
on the ranch Of Charles Townsend, breeder
Of fine cattle. were leveled by the earth.
quake. Three men VINO lett On trip 70
G1id week ago have not been heard from
and II is feared they have perisned
Sax Francisco, Aug "a Ckronisls
Yuma special says: Peter Burke and two
companions arrived late las: night from
the mouth Of the Colorado. Their boat
was struck by tidal wave and broken
into three pieces. They managed 70 swim
ashore and secure piece of the boat,
which they repaired and came
on 20 this place. The wave came seventy
miles up the river. Three men who lived
near Laredo, Mex, have not been heard
from, and have been given up as lost. The
river at Yuma is falling slowly. Salton
lake Is still rising however. Three-fourths
of the river IS still flowing into the desert.
HoIzlsTER, Cal, Ang. 9-Two severe
earthquake shocks were felt here about
$50 this morning, the last being very
heavy. No damage vas done.