The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-08-01
HAVOC IN THE HILLS.
Reports of Damage From Earth
quake Continue to Come In.

Los AlamOs, Cal, Aug 1-AlthOugh
no more severe earthquake shocks have
been experienced here since 7:30 last
night, the people are still panic-stricken.
Many of those who have not already
fled from their homes are preparing to
leave in case the seismic disturbances
continue. The damage already done is
variously estimated at from $4,000 to
$50, 600. 1t would have been much greater
had not most of the buildings been
here were not of the most substantial
kind and have been SO badly damaged
that they are not likely to be rebuilt.
Several narrow escapes from death
are reported. Arthur FOxan, young
man, was asleep in room at the rear
of Wickenden'S store when the terrify
ing shock came last night. The fall of
the big safe blocked his exit through
the door. He turned to the window but
could not for moment raise it. That
delay saved his life, for an instant af-
terward the top of the rear wall crash
ed down past the window freeing it's
fastenings and giving him exit.
| DR.. H. C. Bagby of Santa Maria was
sleeping in the home of Mrs. D. p
Whitney when the earthquakes and the
crash of bricks from the Wickenden
usual light and with quick wit he de-
cided that Mrs. Whitney had been read
ing by lamp and that the lamp had
been overturned. Without thought for
MS own SdIoCy ne TuSheQ upstairs ana
found Mrs. Whitney vainly lighting the
flames and seemingly surrounded by
them. Dr. Bagby subdued the flames
with the bedding and thus saved a life
and a large portion of the business sec
ton.
In the destruction Of the adobe home
of Casper ,Orena, boy lay sleeping just
where a great ''Vf' shaped section of
the heavy adobe wall twisted out and
cast aside. but he escaped unhurt. All
Isthe familyxsof Dr. Graham was away
when their house crumbled. They had
gone north to bury one of their little
| ones and so probably escaped death.
Parties from LOmpoc and outlying
| districts have reached Los Alamos with
| stories of havoc in the hills. A great
| landslide carrying down hundreds of
tons of earth, occurred near the Hoover
ranch. The road from Lompoc was
buried for so feet
John r. Dream. mountain farmer,
! reports road destroying landslide in
Drum canyon. The face of the hills are
| charged with noises which Dream de-
scribes as most terrifying sounds he
| ever heard.
! The oil wells around the town of Los
Alamos seem not to have suffered. The
Carraga wells, owned by Los Angeles
capitalists, are located five miles from
here and fears for them filled the minds
of all as the seismic disturbances in
! creased. The casing of the wells, ten
in number are almost 1000 feet into the
GdTtU, yet uOt d we'll WAS injured.
! Since the beginning of the earthquake
shocks, the temperature here has been
most oppressive as much heat apparent
| ly coming from the earth as from the
sun which for the most part of the time
has been shining bright
Miss Mamie Leslie, in charge of the
| telephone Office has remained at her
post, though her family has sought a
place of greater safety.
| NOT DUE TO VOLCANIC ACTIVITY.
| San Francisco Aug. 1.-JOhn H. Conway
who was one of the first men discover
mineral possibilities of the Los Alamos
| district. believes that the disturbances are
| in way due to volcanic activity, but oc-
casioned by local conditions His theory
based upon life study of the geology OF
the county, is that the quakes are occa-
! stoned by subsidences caused by the ac-
tion of the subterranean gases and oils II
| which the region is known to abound.
1t has been known for years that gas
was being generated beneath the earth's
surface in the vicinity Of Los A1amos.
Prof. Sillman of Yale in 1865 put forward
| that theory and added that he had no.
| where seen such evidences of the presenct
| of hydrocarbons This was subStantiated
| lately by F. Mcmillan, a San Francisco
| mining engineer.
For many years there has been a small
| active volcano on the Los Alamos side Of
| the mountain which lies between thai
place and Santa Barbara Smoke ant
steam constantly issue from various ifs
sures along the summit of plateau OF
! shelf near the northern slope of the noun
tain. Viewed from the distance of the ole
| stage road these manifestations appea,
like small camp fires They have never
| developed any alarming tendencies ant
| have attracted very little direct fnvesti
CATION