Spokesman Review
January 8, 1906
"...in 1872 a series of 60 distinct shocks was felt here."
COLVILLE, W.T.
Oregonian
Portland, Oregon
January 15, 1873
A private letter, dated Fort Colville, W.T., Jan. 6th, to a
gentleman in this city, says, the earthquake which began at that
place on the 14th, continued at brief intervals for ten days, and
that it was very severe, both at Colville and points to the north
of that place. In Colville glass ware was thrown from store shelves
so frequently that merchants were compelled to either take down
their goods of that kind or put a guard around the shelving to hold
the crockery in. It was reported by Indians that two houses north
of Colville were shaken down, and that mountains had sunk away out
of sight. The inhabitants of the entire region were in a state of
considerable fright from the numerous repetitions and violence of
the shocks. Quite a severe shaking up was experienced on the 4th
inst.
COLVILLE, W.T.
Walla Walla Union
March 15, 1873
Walla Walla, W.T.
LETTER FROM FORT COLVILLE
THE EARTHQUAKE LEGACY - REMARKABLE
PHENOMENON - THE NEW INDIAN RESERVATION -
THE WINTER AND ITS PASTIMES - IMPROVEMENTS -
ETC., ETC.
Fort Colville, W.T., March 2, 1873.
Editor Union: I ventured to express a hope
in my last that we should experience no more
"shocking" effects of the late earthquake,
but we have felt several shocks since then
at intervals. The most remarkable phenomenon
is a
LOUD REVERBERATION
which has been heard continually in some
parts of this Valley every night with but
very few intermissions. Through the kind-
ness of a friend I had an opportunity of
passing a night in a farm-house where these
nocturnal noises were reported to be nightly
heard. I am free to confess that, in common
with many others, I was a little skeptical
about the affair, being inclined to attribute
it to fancy and an overwrought imagination-
However, on the occasion above mentioned,
I most distinctly heard a succession of
loud noises, similar to thunder, or the
discharge at short intervals of heavy
ordinance. Strange to say, the reports
(if I may so describe them) were, and are,
only heard in a few particular localities,
most notably at the residence of Mr. 0.
White, from whom I first heard of the cir-
cumstance and who kindly gave me the oppor-
tunity of satisfying myself by oracular
demonstration that it was no myth as had
been supposed, but a bona fide "noise." By
what theory to account for it, I know not.
Some are inclined to think it is produced
by some distant volcano: but then why
should the noises always occur in the night?
I leave it to some of your readers more
conversant with the freaks of nature to
solve the question of this nightly serenade
than the humble individual who now addresses
you.
THE WINTER
We have had a long Winter, but have not
experienced any unusual degree of cold,
although some of our farmers are getting a
little anxious to see the snow move off, so
that feed for the horned stock may not run
short. Many have turned their horses out
on good feed on the hill-sides, which have
been bare in many places for some time, as
horses can paw and scratch round for a
living where horned cattle would perish.
THE AMUSEMENTS
There has been the usual amount of "shin-digs,"
''corroborees," or by whatever other name you
like to designate the social dance, in which
the Colvillites delight. Sleighing has been
good, and the young people have been kicking
their heels to the cheerful accompaniment
of the violin, and occasionally assuaging
thirst and laying the dust with a little of
the ardent.
DEATH's DOINGS
On the other hand there has been an unusual
amount of sickness, and Death has knocked at
more than one door in Colville during the
Winter. Mr. Jno. Duplessis, an old resident
farmer, died last week, after a protracted
illness. His funeral was largely and
respectably attended.
NEW FLOURING MILL
Mr. Meyers has built a new grist mill on the
site of the one formerly run by him, which
was in a very dilapidated state. Although
I have not seen it, I am informed that the
new structure is well and completely
finished and fitted with some useful improve-
ments on the old edifice, and is altogether
a credit to the owner and builders.
THE NEW RESERVATION
The Indian Reservation is, I believe, decided
on, the site to be at Killespelm. The
Indians are more favorably inclined toward
the proposal than they were at first, and if
they do not again (with the versatility
peculiar to great minds) change their "tums--
tums," I presume no difficulty need be appre-
hended in carrying out the proposed measures
of the Department, under the supervision of
Mr. Simms. I learn that work will be commenced,
on the Reserve during the coming Spring,
but beyond that. I can at present furnish
you with no more definite information con-
cerning the future intentions on the part
of the Government towards Mr. and Mrs. "Lo."
I fear you will find this rather a stupid
letter, but things are a little slow here
just now, and I have to cudgel my brain for
materials even to fill up such a yarn as
the present, but I hope you will take the
will for the deed, and when any more news
turns up you shall hear again from
CULTUS NANNITCH.
THE DALLES, OREGON
Daily Oregonian
Portland, Oregon
December 16, 1872
"...four or five shakes last night."
Weston Geophysical Research Note: Date of article is uncertain,
report may refer to main event, December 14.
FORT SIMCOE, WASHINGTON
Pacific Christian Advocate
Portland, Oregon
December 26, 1872
"...there was not a half hour passed without a visible trembling
of the earth."
Weston Geophysical Research Note: Refers to 14-15 December 1872.
LAKE CHELAN, WASHINGTON
Washington Standard
Olympia, Washington
October 18, 1873 p 1 col 1
"A letter from Kittitas says: The earthquake that was felt
all over this country a little less than a year ago has its echo
still in the neighborhood of Lake Chelan. There is almost a daily
repetition of slight shocks. Some places the earth has sank, in
other places lakes have formed where there was no sign formerly of
water, and along the banks of the Columbia River large masses of
rock has become, detached from the banks and tumbled into the river,
causing it to cut new channels. The seat of the earthquake seems
to be just below the lake and 15 or 20 miles from the Columbia.
The Indians say the noise resembles thunder, and is of almost
daily occurrence, and at one time there was an issue of salt water
from a fissure in the earth, that covered the ground knee deep,
which too, was charged with the most horrid smell. Perhaps it was
sulfurous.
LAKE CHELAN, WASHINGTON
Walla Walla Union
Walla Walla, Washington
March 15, 1873
THE EARTHQUAKE's DELUGE
Mr. Covington, who has a trading post on the Columbia river, at
White Stone, informs us that he spent the Winter in that country,
and was there at the time of the earthquake last Fall. He says that
he counted
ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-TWO DISTINCT SHOCKS,
continuing at irregular intervals for forty-two days. At one place
he saw a crack in the surface of the earth which is now open for
about one hundred and fifty yards in length, and is from two to
three feet wide at the top, and is from two to six feet deep. At
another place he saw where the bank of the Columbia river had
CAVED OFF AND SETTLED DOWN
for two or three hundred yards in length, and for a width of about
fifty yards. The mountain and cliffs were so shaken up and appear
to be so greatly agitated and disturbed that large masses of rock
are still constantly falling, tumbling and sliding down.
OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON
Washington Standard
Olympia, Washington
December 21, 1872
... for a period of twenty four hours succeeding the first
shock, the vibration appears to have been felt at intervals of a
few hours."
HOPE, BRITISH COLUMBIA
Cariboo Sentinel
Barkerville, B.C.
January 4, 1873 p. 3
From Yale, dated January 3, reads:
Bristol, the expressman, reports that on the evening of
December 31st, while passing a mountain five miles below Hope, he
saw three flashes of fire issue from the mountain, lighting up
everything around as in the day time. The light was distinctly
seen here by several parties. Several slight shocks of earthquake
have been felt here during the past week.
PUYALLUP VALLEY
The Olympia Transcript
Olympia, Washington
January 25, 1873
There was one shock of earthquake on the 16th inst., and three
shocks on the 17th in the Puyallup valley.
A slight shock of earthquake was felt here last Saturday, about
two o'clock, and another on Wednesday.
PUYALLUP VALLEY
The Olympia Transcript
Olympia, Washington
Feb. 1, 1873 pg 3
There were six shocks of earthquake on the Puyallup on the
22d ult, commencing before twelve and ending 9 minutes after
twelve o'clock.
PUYALLUP, W.T.
The Dalles Mountaineer
The Dalles Oregon
Feb. 1, 1873, page 3
The Territories.
Mount Rainier was furiously smoking at sunset on the 19th inst.,
as seen from the Puyallup valley, W.T. On the 14th, one shock of
earthquake was felt and on the 17th three shocks at the same place.
A friend telegraphs to the Olympia Transcript that the chimney
of Mr. Baker's house in Stuck valley, Pierce* County, W.T., was
thrown down by an earthquake shock on the 19th inst. On Thursday,
the 22d in t, six shocks occurred at noon. The thermometer stood
at 59 degrees.
*Vicinity of Tacoma, Washington
PUYALLUP, W.T.
Weekly Intelligencer
Seattle
Feb. 3, 1873
(Monday), page 3
Earthquakes in the Puyallup Valley continue, and are almost of
daily occurrence. on the 16th, at 2:30 P.M., a shock was felt,
which, it is stated, overthrew a chimney on the house of a
Mr. Baker, living in Stuck Valley. On the 18th inst., four shocks
were distinctly felt, and on the night of the 19th two shocks
were observed by persons in various parts of the valley. On the
22d, a series of vibrations were felt, beginning at 12 o'clock
.and continuing nine minutes, during which time six distinct shocks
were felt.
SNOQUALMIE, WASHINGTON
Weekly Pacific Tribune
Seattle, Washington
December 21, 1872
"We had thirteen more shocks before daylight, but none (?)
as heavy as the first."
Weston Geophysical Research Note: Refers to Dec. 14 main shock.
"Since then, we have had ten."
Weston Geophysical Research Note: Period of 15-17 December.
WALLA WALLA, W.T.
Walla Walla Union
Walla Walla, W.T.
June 14, 1873 page 3
STILL SHAKING -- A gentleman just down from the upper Columbia
informs us that a week ago they had quite a severe shock of earth-
quake, and that the earth has continued to shake and tremble at
short intervals ever since the big shake up last fall. He says
that there is a large number of Chinamen working on the bars along
the Columbia, but that the mines are paying only small wages.
WALLA WALLA, W.T.*
Oregonian
Portland, Oregon
January 10, 1873
page 1
Earthquake shocks are still felt or supposed to be, at Walla
Walla.
*Report Uncertain: No account of continued shocks relative to this
date is cited for Walla Walla papers.
WALLA WALLA, WASHINGTON
Walla Walla Union
Walla Walla, Washington
March 15, 1873
"...he counted one hundred and forty-two distinct shocks,
continuing at irregular intervals for forty-two days."
(14 December to 25 January.)
WENATCHEE-CHELAN AREA, W.T.
Washington Standard
Olympia, Washington
Jan. 11, 1873 page 2
He declares that the shocks, which lasted until five o'clock
Sunday morning, December 15th, were sixty-four in number, eight
being severe.
Mr. McBride says the shocks continued at intervals until the
16th ult.
WESTON, OREGON
Oregonian
Portland, Oregon
December 30, 1872 page 4
Another shock - we are informed by a letter that on last
Saturday evening, about 10 o'clock, there was quite a severe shock
of an earthquake experienced in and around Weston on the river.
No further particulars are given.
Weston Geophysical Research Note: Entirely separate event unrelated
to December 14 aftershocks.
Daily British Colonist, Victoria, B.C., March 7, 1873, p. 3, col. 2.
", The Lower Frasers
"The shock of an earthquake was felt at Yale on the 27th ult:"
Mainland Guardian, New Westminster, B.C., March 6, 1873, p. 3, col. 1.
"EARTHQUAKE. -On Thursday Feb. 27th, -earthquake was felt at
15 minutes past 9--, at Yale, and Hope, but was not felt at
--- son+ River nor New Westminster; it -qual to the one in December
last, some --- more severe, so much so that the telegraph operator
at Yale had to stop working the instrument."
+Probably Thompson River
The Victoria Daily Standard, Victoria, B.C., March 21, 1873,
pg 3, c 1. 1.
"Cariboo and Upper Country
"Shocks of earthquake were distinctly felt at Yale and Hope
about the 27 ult. mo. No damage has however resulted."'
Weekly British Colonist, Victoria, B.C., March 12, 1873, p. 2, col. 5.
"The Lower Fraser
"The shock of an earthquake was felt at Yale on the 27th ult."
Same also: Cariboo Sentinel 3/l/73.
YALE, BRITISH COLUMBIA
Cariboo Sentinel
Barkerville, B. C.
March 1, 1873 page 3 col. 1
By Telegraph
Yale
Yale, Feb. 27 - A slight shock of earthquake was felt here
this morning.
- - - more
Hope
Hope, Feb. 26--A very heavy shock of earthquake was felt
here at about 9:15 a.m. today. No damage done except a
general shaking of the inhabitants.
WALLA WALLA, WASHINGTON
Walla Walla Union
Walla Walla, W. T.
Jan. 4, 1873 page 3
More shocks - Ever since the big shock of earthquake that we, and all
surrounding country for hundreds of miles, felt, it seems that things have
not fairly settled down. Since that time, we hear that both here and
elsewhere, light shocks have been felt almost daily, in one place or
another. The most interesting question just now is, whether these are
the last efforts of the old earthquake or, are they the preliminaries to
a good shake-up yet to come.