Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1906-04-27

the direct means whereby Nature eX-
ponds her forces in perfecting her
changes.
In all countries slight tremors are
numerous. The average number on
the Atlantic seaboard is between so or
30 per year. On this coast, the shocks
! have been moro numerous and even
before the late shake comparatively
more forcibie. Delicate instruments
indicate that still fainter tremors are
much more frequent; in fact they may
be said to he almost incessant
In this country, only three or four
great earthquakes are known to have
occurred since its settlement by civil
lied people. The first was in 1853, in
Massachusetts,, which though very
forcible was mich less 80 than the
other three. The second and most
energetic, was at New Madrid, Mo, in
1911, followed by many forcible shocks
in subsequent months and years. The
third was in Inyo county, Cal, in 1868,
and the fourth in Charleston in 1856.
in the last disaster, from 5000 to 1000
lives were lost and several million
dollars worth of property was de.
stroyed,
At Galveston, Texas, only a few
years ago, a tidal wave from the gulf
drowned 5000 people and destroyed
property to the value of $4,000, 900.
1t is very probable that tidal waves
owe their origin TO q submarine earth.
quake that has not otherwise made its
occurrence manifest on land. In 1872,
Caracas, Venzuela, was destroyed by
earthquake. with the usual attendants
OF total destruction, large loss OF life
with that of property.
The greatest destruction OF life from
an earthquake and attendant horror,
a tidal wave, OF comparatively modern
times, was that of Lisbon, Portugal, in
1855. when 10000 people rush ed to the
marble quay for safety. and tidal
wave swept over them burying them
all forever.
The eruption of Mount Pelee, in the
West Indies, q couple Of years ago,
killed about $4,000 people and de.
stroyed, of course. everything within a
radius Of many miles.
The city of YOUNGSTOWN, destroyed by
a broken dam across Conemaugh Lake,
a mile away, May 31st, 1889, releasing
the pent.up waters to the valley below,
was another appalling event, not how.
ever attributable 10 the cause under
consideration, but is noted as affording
a review of the effect produced upon
the charitable world by these great
calamities, for the sufferers of the
Conemaugh valley we're not only kept
from want, but Johnstown was largely
rebuilt from outside contributions.
The destruction of Herculaneum |
and Pompeii A. D. 70 by dense clouds |
OF ashes from Vesuvius, seem to have
been complete, and that idea is con.
frmed by discoveries in the excavated
portions of the latter city, where re.
msins Of victims were found 10 various
attitudes Of everyday life. which were
in such perfect form as to be capable
of use for plaster molds, from which |
the most life.like casts were made.
Had death been slow Or painful, as
might be inferred from gradual fall OF
ashes, this would not have happened,
and the figures would doubtless been |
found PROSTATE, and with various pos. |
lures OF agony and despair. It may
have happened that death came in
simultaneously from some noxious OK.
halation of the burning mountain,
enabled the ash TO form most perfect
and enduring casing for every outline,
Of each individual, at tho precise mo.
ment when Nature put her signet on
their record not to be revealed for
nearly twenty centuries. In the ab.
sence OF any other details, therefore,
it may be inferred that the loss of life |
was OF the whole population, which
must have been large, for the single !
theater that has been excavated shows
. seating capacity of many thousands !
of people.
About the first devastating power Of
volcanic energy was shown in scrip.
tural times, by Sodom and Gomor.
rah, and from what may be inferred,
the destruction OF both life and prop
erty was complete. This disaster took |
place 1898 B. C..
On the whole. visitation OF this mys.
terious power of nature is about as
infrequent in this country as any
other area of like extent. Those who
nave sunered most, are countries on
the Mediterranean, the whole Andean
region of Central America, and Japan
where earthquakes seem to be more
frequent and of . more destructive
character than those which afflict the
'' rest OF humanity"
ELLENsBURG is TO have . million
dollar beet.sugar mandatory. Sew.
eral capitalists of Seattle and Tacoma
are in the list Of incorporstors. While
the chief object stated is to make gu.
gar, it admits OF production of mo.
lasses, syrup, alcohol, vinegar, glue,
glycerine, acetate of lime and other by
products. The company can, likewise,
supply electric power, lighting plants,
and engage in realty ventures-in fact
is go comprehensive as to be in reality
. general utility organization, that