The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-04-20
AN EARTHQUAKE
Several California Towns Badly Damaged
by the Shocks.

SAN FRANCISCO. April 19-The heaviest
earthquake experienced in California
since 1868 occurred shortly before O'Clock
this morning. The country within 200
miles OF San Francisco was visited by
shocks which varied in intensity at differ
ent points. In this city number OF large
buildings trembled perclptbly; but the
only one TO sustain damage was an old
church, which, until lately. had been occu-
pied by the Academy of Science, the front
wall OF which gave way, tearing away the
balconies.
The town of Vacaville, in the heart of
the beautiful VacavIlle valley, was the
center OF the disturbance. Its brick build
ingS were all either badly damaged, or
totally destroyed. as well as a number of
brick residences in the town and vicinity.
Many of the walls fell outward into the
streets, which filed them with debris. The
only person in Vacaviile or vicinity re-
ported seriously injured was Rev. Mr..
Felkner of San Jose, who was struck by
falling debris and sustained severe bruises.
Several persons had narrow escapes.
Dixon and Winters, towns CT about
1000 inhabitants, located respectively
northeast and northwest OF Nacaville, ami
within a few miles of the latter place, were
also the scenes of considerable deStruc-
tion The masonic hall at Dixon. two
story brick block, WAS ruined, and its
falling walls shattered two adjoining
houses. Fire that broke out caused some
danger at Winters, but the danger was
lessened by the abundant water supply.
The house of John l. Hiffel, between
Vacaville and Winters, was destroyed by
fire caused by AN overturned lamp, the
occupants barely escaping with their
lives. Forty guests were in the Bliss house
at Winters, the walls of which collapsed,
but no one was injured, strange TO say. A
brick school bouse and several brick
houses were wrenched from their founda-
tions The banks OF Pulah creek caved in
and assures opened in the bottom OF the
creek.
Three miles west of town an acre OF
ground slid into the creek, and small fis-
sures were made in country road. Sever
al great boul1ers were thrown from Il hill
side near Winters, blockading the road
way. Considerable damage was done to
isolated farm buildings, but no one was
injured fatally, rs far as known.
The town or Monticello was at first re-
ported totally demolished, but n gentle
mau who arrived from there reports the
damage as nominal The losses at Vaca-
vile are estimated at 500 600; at Dixon.
$50, 600, and aG Win ter s, nearly 100000.
Emra, Fairfield Santa Rosa, Woodland
Davisville aud Benicia report windows
and crockery broken and a number OF
chimneys overturned. Some thirty or
forty other towns report trifing damages,
though all accounts agree IN placing the
intensity of the shocks as greater than of
any in recent years. The number of
shocks differed at various places. At some
points only one shock was registered,
while at others two, or even more, oc-
Cured
WINTERS. Cal, April l9.-An earthquake
shock visited this section at 2;45 O'Clock
this morning, causing a general destruc-
tion OF property. A large brick hotel, the
bank building, BIrtholet's two-story stone
building, and, in fact. everv building in
the town, was damaged. The loss will
reach at least $50, 900. No one was hurt.
The contents of stores and dwellings were
all piled on the floors in promiscuous
heaps. The shock was from east to west,
and lasted about five or six seconds.
VACAvILLE, Cal. April ia severe
earthquake shock at 2;50 o'clock this morn
ing caused serious damage in this city and
vicinity. a number OF brick residences
and stores were shattered, and some of the
occupants injured, but none fatally.
Among the buildings DESTROYED are the
Masonic hall and the Platt block, occupied
by the postofilce and the Vacaville Enter
prise. Fires broke out in the buildings
damaged and added to the destruction of
property. Many wooden buildings were
rocked and injured. The total damage
Will be very heavy.
DIXON Cal, April 19-An earthquake
this morning did considerable damage to
this place. It was followed by fire.
Masonic hall, two story brick, was SO
severely damaged that it will have to be
taken down. John Dugan's dry goods
store and ROckforIs butcher shop, adjoin-
ing were crushed liz by falling walls. To
add to the danger of the situation several
fires broke out in different places. The
flames were soon extinguished, but not
until considerable damage had been done.