Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-04-30
CALIFORNIA SHAKEN.
The Worst Earthquake Since the
Memorable One of '68.
The Walls of a Hotel Collapse, But no
Lives are Lost-People Thrown
From Their Beds.


From Their Beds.
The heaviest earthquake experienced in
California since 1868 occurred shortly before
three o'clock the other morning. The country
within two hundred miles of San Francisco
was visited by shock which varied in inten-
sity at different points. In San Francisco
| number of large buildings trembled percep-
IDLY, but the only one to sustain damage was
he cd church building which, until lately,
had been occupied by the Academy of Sci
.nees, and the front wall of which gave way,
earring away the balconies.
The town of Vacayille, situated in the heart
Of the beautiful Vaea valley, sixty-ive miles
rom San Francisco, was the center Of the dis.
turbance. Vaeayille is a town of 2, 700 popu.
lation, and on its main street we're a number
Of brick buildings There were number
badly damaged or totallyi destroyed, as well
as q number OF brick residences in the town
md vicinity. Many of the walls fell outward
INTO the street, which was filled with debris.
but which workmen at once began to clea,
iway,
Many Of the walls we're Of frail character
and succumbed easily to the shock. Very
slight damage occurred 10 frame houses. The
only person in Vscaville reported serious Y
injured was Rev. o. 0. Felkner, of San Jose
who was struck by falling debris and sustained
severe cuts and bruises.
Dixon and Winters towns of about l, $50
inhabitants, o3ated respectively northeast
and northwest of Nacaville and within a few
miles of the latter place, were also the scene,
OF considerable destruction. The Masonic
Hall at Dixon, two-story brick block, was
ruined, and its falling walls shattered the ad.
joining houses. A fire which broke out among
the ruins caused some damage at Winters, but
the danger was lessened by an abundant wa.
ter supply.
The house of John Thiffel, between Vaea
vile and Winters, was destroyed by fire.
caused by an overturned lamp, the occupants
barely escaping with their lives. At Winters
the inhabitants were for awhile panic-strieken.
owing to the severity of the shock. Forty
guests were in the Bliss Hotel at Winters, the
walls of which collapsed, and the fact that no
one was injured by the caving of the walls
was remarkable.
Old and new brick school houses and sew.
eral new brick buildings in Winters were
cracked and wrenched from their foundations.
The banks of Putah creek caved in and fs.
sures opened in the bottom of the creek.
Three miles west OF the town an acre of ground
slid into the GEEK, and small assures were
made in the country road. Several great
boulders were thrown from the hillsides at q
point on the Berryesso road near Winters,
blocking the roadway. Considerable damage
was done to isolated farm buildings, but no
serious personal injuries are reported.
The town of Monticello, seventeen mics
from Winters, was at first reported totally de-
molished, but gentleman arriving from there
reported the damage nominal. The losses al
Vaeavil'e, owing TO the destruction of build.
ings and other property, is estimated at 800,
600; at Dixon $50, 600, aud at Winters nearly
100000. Elmira, Fairfield, Santa Rosa,
Woodland. Dayisville and Benicia report win.
dows and crockery broken and q number OF
chimneys overturned.
Some thirty or forty towns report trifing
damage, though all accounts agree in placing
the intensity OF the shock as greater than Of
any in recent years. The number of shocks
felt differed at various places. At some points
only one shock was registered, while at others
two or even more occurred.
The vibrations extended from north to south
/ and from east to west The single shock is
generally described as being most intense.
vibrations where more than one shock oc.
CURED becoming confused.