The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-05-26
A Quake Is Felt Throughout
Northern Illinois.
Extends Into Four Other Ad-
joining States.
Is SEVERE AT AURORA
Buildings Rocked and Fires Fol-
lowed the Disturbance.
The TremOr Lasted From Four
to Thirty Seconds.

Chicago, May ga light earth
shock lasting only few seconds was
felt in the states of Indiana, Illinois,
Wisconsin. Michigan, Iowa and con-
tinguous territory, beginning at
S:42:30 o'clock this morning.
Early reports covered a territory
from Springfield, Ill, through Daven-
port, Ia, and GAINESVILLE, Wis, north
to Muskegon. Mich. Reports of the
vibrations. but recording no material
damage were received from the fol-
lowing cities:
Eeloit, Wis, Peoria, Kewanee.
Rockford, Joliet, Dixon, Streator, Ca
lena, Freeport, Bloomington. Moline.
Elgin. Aurora. Springfield, ILL.,, and
from GAINESVILLE, Wis. Davenport and
Dubuque. Ia, and Muskegon and Kali
amazoo, Mich.
Throughout the territory affected
the only damage reported was of a
minor nature. Several small fires
were started by the overturning of
stoves and many chimneys were
razed. Aurora, ILL.,, is said to have
suffered particularly in this respect
In this city the shock was general
~ felt but in the great majority of
cases was attributed to the ordinary
causes such as the passage of street
cars, elevated trains, blasting in dis
tant quarries or the passage of struc-
tural iron on big trucks on the street.
1t was not until newspapers made
their appearance with the story that
the public learned that it had passed
through a natural phenomenon.
Damage in Chicago as elsewhere,
was confined to the breaking of dishes
and ornaments shaken from the man
tel pieces or tables. No fires of ma
terial consequence were reported In
the outskirts of the city, several small
fires were started, but were easily ex-
tinguished.
During the period of the vibration
it was almost impossible to get correct
telephone communications owing TO
the swaying of the wires, damp from
last nights rain, against each other.
At Beloit, Wis.,, all the college build
ings rocked violently and many per-
sons experienced difficulty in re-
naming on their feet. At Joliet
chairs and other light objects were
overturned and at Dixon gas fires
were shaken out. At South Haven,
and Benton Harbor, Mich, windows
ratified violently and much china was
broken. At Dubuque, Ia. the vibra-
ton seemed to have the effect of two
shocks Davenport, Ia, also felt two
shocks, the first shock being the
more violent.
Beloit, wis, May 26.-The entire
Rock river valley experienced an
earthquake shock this morning al
$40. Reports of a like happening
came to Beloit from Rockford. Ill
No serious damage is reported
All the college buildings rock I'd
violently and houses throughout the
city were shaken. Dishes ratified
and people on the street experienced
difficulty in remaining on their feet.
Peoria, Ill, May 26.-Peoria ex-
perienced its first earthquake in
years at 8:3S this morning. The
shock lasted four seconds and was
recorded on the new weather bureau
seismograph. Many of the larger
business buildings were shaken an6
on the bluffs in the residence section
it was felt more perceptibly than
down town.
The school children at the White
school were about ready to assemble
when a portion of the plastering fell
causing quite panic among the few
children who were in the room.
Kewanee. ILL.,, May 26.-An earth
quake lasting 80 seconds SHOOK
buildings here at $40 o'clock thi:
morning. The windows ratified an(
small articles were shaken from
desks. The tremor was distinct ant
was noticed in all parts of the city.
Aurora, Ill. May 26.-At $40 thi:
morning violent earthquake tremori
lasting ten seconds were felt here