Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-06-23
EARTHQUAKE ROCKS
IMPERIAL VALLEY
DAMAGE S25O,0OO
LOOters Searching Ruins In
Mexicah Are Shot By
Troops

FL Centro, Cal, June 22-Earth-
quake shocks which rocked the Imper.
ial valley early today and last night
damaged this district to the extent of
possibly $250,O00, partially destroyed
many brick structures and slightly in
Jured score of people.
No lives were lost in the Imperial
valley, The earthquake itself did not
cause many deaths in Mexicali, ac-
cording to persons who crossed the
Mexican border today, but number of
looters were reported shot there by
troops.
The greatest damage in FL Centre
was due to the buildings occupied by
Baldridges drug store and the Imperial
valley Press. Falling walls carried
down the roof, and the wreckage pre-.
sents picture of utter ruin.
The drug stores demolition was be.
gun when the wall of the Security Saw
ings bank building toppled over on it.
Ensuing shocks completed the destruc-
tion. The drug store was crowded
when the bank building wall came
numbering down, There were no serious
injuries.
Perhaps the biggest single loss in
town is the new Masonic temple. Part
of the floor fell and the building split
in the middle, yOwning open to the
sky.
A larger number of buildings, par
TALLY wrecked, caved in to the streets.
Many thoroughfares are obstructed by
mounds of masonry. At times the earth.
quake shocks, three in number, seemed
to have circular motion, so clouds
Of flying bricks literally sprayed out
in all directions and were scattered
broadcast. That no person was badly
hurt by these missiles is considered
remarkable. The streets were crowded
with evening strollers when the first
shock plunged the town into darkness
and the booming crash of tumbling
walls sounded from every direction.
All wires being down, the whole I'm.
perial valley, Illuminated only by moon.
light, there were numerous small
panics. Families were separated for
few minutes and children ran through
the streets crying for their mothers.
Two thousand contraband Chinese
detained at Mexicali disappeared. 1t
was feared they had taken advantage
of the excitement to cross the border
into the United States.
Crossed wires caused fires in FL Cen.
tro, CaleXico, Brawley and Imperial.
They were quickly controlled citizens
being impressed as fire fighters
When the excitement subsidized hun.
dreds, afraid to enter their houses,
slept on lawns or in the streets. Many
tramped the Uttered streets all night.
A crowd gathered around the new
four story Barbara Worth hotel, as re-
ports had been circulated that it was
about to collapse. Windows in it were
broken and bricks had fallen from the
walls, giving the building the appear.
ance of being partly demolished.
The Holton Power company plant
was shaken up and one of its tall gas
tanks today leans at an angle of l5 de.
grees. A Globe Mills warehouse split
down the side, allowing tons of barley
to pour into the street. One side of
the Holt ice plant split. The Imperial
Valley Banking company building was
twisted and many timbers shattered.
The town Of Hcber was Scared by
the quake. The bank building there
partially collapsed and several wooden
structures were leyeleed like houses Of
cards.
At CalcXico and Mexicali the shakes
were more severe The latter town. on
the Mexican side Of the line, was re.
ported partly destroyed. Bandits at.
tempted to run wild in the debris litter.
ed streets and Mexican troops were
called on, Consequently, there were
many stories circulated of loss Of life
there. In CalcXico an American cavalry
regiment assumed control of the situa.
ton aud preserved order. The brick
structure was damaged by fire.
Slight damage was done to the ir.
! rigation systems.
The quake affected more or less ter.
ritory between San Diego and Yuma
/ Ariz.