Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-10-31
AN EARLY SHAKE.
Rock islanders Have an Unus.
ual Eye Opener.
An EARTHQUAKE PLAINLY FELT.

Terra Firma Rocks For . Few Seconds
This Morning and Causes General
Observation-Disclosures Rattle and Houses
wsbble- Where Arc We At:
Rock Island experienced the sem
sations Of a seismic phenomenon this
morning and people whose slumbers
were abruptly broken at 5 O'Clock
were unable to realize whether old
mother earth was re.lly rocking or
whether the quiet domici,e Of rest
had been rudely shattered by an ex-
plosion or the unusual conditions
were due to some violent disturb
ance on the part of the elements in
which this celestial orb was not an
active participant. Consequently
when business men came down town
this morning each seemed reluctant
to mention what he thought had
happened until some one else spoke
about it first, but when the anxious
inquiry was once started as to who
felt the earthquake. all joined in the
chorus Of experiences.
Vibrations Plainly OBSERVABLE.
Three distinct vibrations were
plainly discernable early this morn
ing. The first shock was felt about
5 O'Clock, followed at intervals of not
more than a few seconds by two
other similar disturbances. One
citizen living in Edgewood park gave
a description of the sensations exper-
fenced by those generally who were
awakened, when he said: II was
awakened by a strange shaking of the
house. knew it was something un-
usual and l arose and looked at my
watch. 1t was 5 o'clock, and as I
started toward the window to look
out to see if storm was approaching
l felt distinct shock. In word it
seemed as if my feet were going
from under me. The windows Jared
and crockerv on the washstand rat
tied. Still l could not believe that
it was an earthquake and as reached
the window l saw that while the sky
was overcast with clouds. there was
no storm prevailing. Then ] looked
down toward the railroad track, inn
agining that a train might be going
out and the locomotive laboripg I'M
der unusual exertion had produced
the effect. There was no train in
sight, and while l stood at the win
dow. 10! l felt another quake. was
no longer in a quaudary as to the
nature of the phenomenon. The SEN
sation l shall. never forget. 1t was
the sickening swaying of ship in a
storm. OF but a moments duration,
but it was quite enough to strike
terror to ones soul. was thorough
ly alarmed, l confess. and did not
rest until l got down town this
morning. when l FASTENED to tele-!
phone The ARGUS the inquiry if any
thing unusual had happened during
the night. Up to that time l had
not asked il anyone else had expert
enced what l had. When 1 learned
that there had really been an earth
quake and that others had gone
through what had. l made bold to
relate my own experiences more
freely"
All Over the City.
From the various sources of infor-
nation which The ARGUS has
availed itself of the earthquake was
felt throughout the city. although in
some localities there appears TO some
reasons to have been more people.
disturbed. All agree as to the time,
however, and all report three dis
tinct shocks. The chief characteris-
tic invariably was the Earring of
windows and the rattle of crockery.
IN South Rock Island a number of
families arose and dressed and much
apprehension was felt. The force
seemed to affect localities. as stated
before, and brick houses rather than
frame were more sensitive to the
tremble. In several houses doors
slammed shut with jar I'll at slook
the building. Along Third ard Sec
ond avenues west of Fifteenth street
in the resident portion the effect
was particularly marked, and
families were awakened and
in many instances arose and dressed
in anticipation of some impending
catastrophe. No little excitement
was created and fear manifest in
different parts of town, and the un-
usual experience was one that will
not soon be forgotten. 1t was more
perceptible than the earthquake of
four years ago, when this section of
the country Ielt the tag end of the
shaking up which so seriously
affected Charles ton.
At Augustaua college the main
building was shaken considerably,
evidently. as books from two differ
ent shelves were found on the floor
this morning.
In Moline and Davenport muc the
same sensations are reported as were
experienced here.
Extent and Force.
The government signal service
station at Davenport has no seis-
mometer and hence the exact force
and effect of the shake cannot be de-
termined. Reports indicate that the
shock was pretty general in Illinois.
being felt at Chicago, Peoria, SPRING
field and East St Louis and as far
west in Iowa as Iowa CITY, where con-