Data Source Date Code Remarks
Cariboo Sentinel December 21, 1872 B no local felt report, newspaper contains only dispatches from other localities.
A. Period Account: Primary source for evaluation of intensity or felt report.
B. Period Account: Insufficient data to evaluate intensity.
C. Period Account: Item appearing as dispatch, summary or brief des- cription or duplicate data with more complete data available in other sources.
D. Later descriptive account identified with period sources.
E. Later descriptive account not confirmed in period documentary sources.
*Designates duplicate data not included in compilation.
Data Source Date Code Remarks
Daily British Colonist December 17, 1872 A Duplicate citation of the same dispatch appear in numerous period newspapers and are not included in this com- pilation. Mainland Guardian December 19, 1872 A Chilliwack Progress August 19, 1915 D Not a period account, data not used in analysis of landslides.
A. Period Account: Primary source for evaluation of intensity or felt report.
B. Period Account: Insufficient data to evaluate intensity.
C. Period Account: Item appearing as dispatch, summary or brief des- cription or duplicate data with more complete data available in other sources.
D. Later descriptive account identified with period sources.
E. Later descriptive account not confirmed in period documentary sources.
*Designates duplicate data not included in compilation.
THE EARTHQUAKE--IT would appear from the
telegraphic reports that the shock extended
throughout the whole of British Columbia
and Vancouver Island. We heard also that
it has been felt throughout Oregon and
Washington Territory more severely than with
US.
Chilliwack, B. C.
Chilliwack Progress
August 19, 1915
Chilliwack, B.C.
Chilliwack Valley Experiences Shake
Late Sleepers Rudely Awakened by a General Shaking Up of. Surroundings - No Damage.
Chilliwack city and valley experienced a real
shake yesterday morning a few minutes after
six o'clock, which lasted several seconds.
The tremor was the most pronounced experienced
since 1871, and was sufficient to arouse
late sleepers, by the shaking of houses and
and rattling of windows. Whether the shake
was caused by a real earthquake or the fall
of a massive glacier in the mountains
caused by a long season of dry weather
is a matter of conjecture. The latter
view is accepted by many from that the
disturbance appears to have been confined to
the valley, including the Agassiz district.
In 1871 it was discovered after the shock
of that time, that a big slice of Mount
Cheam peak had dropped about one thousand
feet.
Thermometer last night 22 degrees below zero. Weather
to day clear and calm but very cold.
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 sur-
face 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 mountains
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.
COURSE OF THE COLUMBIA CHANGED
Formerly there was a stream or outlet to Lake
Chelan about a quarter of a mile long, by which
the waters of that lake were emptied into the
Columbia--now, however, the river has changed
its course so that it runs right to the lower
end of the lake, and the two bodies of water
unite. Our informant says that the Indians tell
him that about thirty miles below White Stone
a high cliff or mountain which formerly stood
on the right bank of the Columbia river, now
stands on the left, and that they can now easily
ford the river at that point.
A BOILING LAKE
They also say that a lake about fifteen miles
from the mouth of the Okanogan river has been
agitated, and a dense black smoke seems to
issue from its bosom all the time. Mr. Covington
inclines to believe the story, for he says that
at White Stone the sun has not been plainly
visible half a dozen times during the Winter,
because of a
DENSE SMOKE
That hangs over the whole country. From all
that we can
learn, the shocks were more severe in the
country up the Columbia river, and the effects
more noticeable than in any other locality.
NATURAL BRIDGE.
It is also reported that the earthquake made
a bridge across the Columbia river, at or near
Fort Shepherd. This is in British Columbia,
about thirteen miles north of the boundary line.
We have not talked with any one who has seen it,
but hear it from so many sources that there may
be something in it; and it is not altogether
improbable that such a thing might occur, as the
banks are known to be perpendicular in many
places, and a slight disturbance of the earth
might cause them to topple together.
(From Our Own Correspondent)
Kootenay, B.C., Jan. 28th, 1893.
Editor Standard:--We are again in receipt of a mail
after waiting our usual time, "four months". If
this is new
------- article discusses topics -----
THE EARTHQUAKE
We had on the night of the 14th of December, at 10 and 1/2
o'clock, a severe shock of earthquake; it lasted
about 20 seconds; supposed to run north and south.
It astonished everyone. Mr. Indian was badly
frightened; they took to prayer, as they thought the
devil was coming for them. The Chief, Joseph,
informs me that when a boy, about 60 years before
that, there were felt three or four shocks in quick
succession. Never since. The mail messenger
informs me that he felt three or four shocks on the
trip up.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT)
EARTHQUAKE
On the 4th of December, at 10:30 P.M., we had
the most lively shaking imaginable for
about 20 seconds. Such a thing was never
known before in the memory of that noted
subject, the "oldest inhabitant," nor
have any of his forefathers handed down
any-such a thing as an idea of an
earthquake. Yet we had one. Every
one was excited. The Indians were the
worst frightened; their lodge poles
danced and swayed, the dogs howled;
in a minute or so, the old chief,
Joseph, rang the bell and summoned all
to prayers, as he said the devil was
coming for them. Well, we think that
San Francisco is gone, and Portland
burned, and Walla Walla gone down the Columbia
and the balance of the world turned upside
down. I have been informed by a letter
from Perry Creek, that two other slight
shocks were felt.
IT IS FELT ON THE MAINLAND!
Last night, at 23 minutes to 10 o'clock, the
city was shaken by a sharp shock of an earthquake
which rocked houses violently and drove several
families into the streets for safety. The
movement was from east to west. In some instances
door bells were rung, and crockery knocked from
the shelves. The shock lasted about 10 seconds.
The following dispatches show that it was felt
at LaConner in Washington Territory and Matsqui
in British Columbia:
LaConner, W.T. Dec. 14--At 20 minutes to 10
o'clock P.M. a heavy earthquake shock was felt
here, lasting 20 seconds. It was so violent
that people vacated their houses, which shook
like cradles, very quickly. The operator at
Matsqui reports the shock as having been felt.
there very violently.
Weather clear and calm.
Nicola Valley, Dec. 15th, 1872
Editor Colonist. - Last night
about a quarter to ten o'clock
we experienced quite a severe
shock of earthquake which lasted
about twelve minutes; the trees
vibrated to and fro, as under the
influence of a strong wind. And
again at twenty minutes past 10
another slight shock occurred which
lasted about a minute. Since then
there have been no more shocks up
to the time of writing.
OSOYOOS LAKE - The Earthquake etc., Mr. Lowe,
the Custom House Officer at this place,
arrived in town by the Enterprise yesterday
on his way east. He left the lake on the
20th of December and reports cattle and stock
generally doing well, only half an inch of
snow on the ground. But Mr. Robertson, the
Kootenay Mail Agent, on the 24th going to
Kootenay: He was within five miles of Allison's
or about 65 from Hope. Mr. Lowe supplied
the mail carrier with a horse and provisions;
when he appeared to be much exhausted and
fatigued and without supplies. The relief
came very timely. At Hope there were over
three feet of snow and on the mountain it.
was very heavy. On the 14th ult. shortly
after 10 p.m., the earthquake which was felt
throughout the country was more than usually
severe. The ground was cracked in various
places; the chimney of Mr. Kruger's house was
thrown down; cattle became greatly alarmed,
and the fowl evidenced signs of fear.
_________________________________________________________________________
ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
Clinton, B.C.
Data Source Date Code Remarks
Victoria Daily Standard December 16, 1872 A
*Daily British Colonist December 17, 1872 C
Puget Sound Dispatch December 19, 1872 B
Oregonian December 21, 1872 B
*Weekly Mercury December 20, 1872 B
*Cariboo Sentinel December 21, 872 C
A. Period Account: Primary source for evaluation of intensity or
felt report.
B. Period Account: Insufficient data to evaluate intensity.
C. Period Account: Item appearing as dispatch, summary or brief des-
cription or duplicate data with more complete
data available in other sources.
D. Later descriptive account identified with period sources.
E. Later descriptive account not confirmed in period documentary sources.
*Designates duplicate data not included in compilation.
CLINTON, B.C.
Victoria Daily Standard
Dec. 16, 1872 p 3
Victoria, B. C.
CLINTON, Dec. 15--A shock of earthquake was felt,
here at about 9:40 p.m., yesterday. The shock
was so heavy as to waken persons who were asleep
and persons who were standing were staggered
almost off their feet. The vibrations lasted
about 45 seconds. At the lower end of town the
ground is cracked for some distance. It occasioned
considerable excitement and some alarm. During
the afternoon previous to the shock the wires at
times were so affected by magnetic currents as
to render them useless.
CLINTON, B.C.
Puget Sound Dispatch
Dec. 19, 1872 p 3
Seattle, Washington
CLINTON, B.C., Dec. 15--Heavy shock of an
earthquake here last night, at 9:40 p.m.
Thermometer 20 degrees below zero.
CLINTON, B.C.
Oregonian
December 21, 1872
Portland, Oregon
Weekly Mercury
Dec. 20, 1872 pg 3
Salem, Oregon
The Puget Sound Courier has news that the
earthquake was felt at Clinton in British
Columbia, which is four hundred miles north
of Olympia.
_________________________________________________________________________
ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
Fort Shepherd, B.C.
Data Source Date Code Remarks
Data Source Date Code Remarks
Walla Walla Union March 15, 1873 B
The New Northwest April 5, 1873
A. Period Account:
B. Period Account:
C. Period Account:
Primary source for evaluation of intensity or
felt report.
Insufficient data to evaluate intensity.
Item appearing as dispatch, summary or brief des-
cription or duplicate data with more complete
data available in other sources.
D. Later descriptive account identified with period sources.
E. Later descriptive account not confirmed in period documentary sources.
*Designates duplicate data not included in compilation.
Ft. Shepherd, B.C. Canada
Walla Walla Union
March 15, 1873
Walla Walla, Wash.
The New Northwest
April 5, 1873
Deer Lodge, Montana
THE EARTHQUAKE's DELUGE.
_________________________________________________________________________
ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
Kootanai, B.C.
Data Source Date Code Remarks
Victoria Daily Standard March 12, 1873 A
Walla Walla Statesman March 29, 1873 A
A. Period Account: Primary source for evaluation of intensity or
felt report.
B. Period Account: Insufficient data to evaluate intensity.
C. Period Account: Item appearing as dispatch, summary or brief des-
cription or duplicate data with more complete
data available in other sources.
D. Later descriptive account identified with period sources.
E. Later descriptive account not confirmed in period documentary sources.
*Designates duplicate data not included in compilation.
Victoria Daily Standard
March 12, 1873 pg 3 col 4
Victoria, B.C.
Still Further from Kootenay
--more articles then signed--
SINE TREMORE
from p 1 the agent Hope to Kootenai is J. Johnson,
Mail Agent.
KOOTENAI, B. C.
Walla Walla Statesman, Weekly
March 29, 1873
Walla Walla, Washington
KOOTENAI MATTERS
Kootenai, B.C., February 14, 1873
The Canadian Pacific Railroad surveying
party have got as far as Boat Encampment
on the Columbia River, and their stores
are scattered from that place to the
Henry House on the divide of the Athabaska
Pass.
A. Fixture
_________________________________________________________________________
ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
Lytton, B.C.
Data Source Date Code Remarks
Victoria Daily Standard December 16, 1872 A
*Daily British Colonist December 17, 1872 C
A. Period Account:
B. Period Account:
C. Period Account:
Primary source for evaluation of intensity or
felt report.
Insufficient data to evaluate intensity.
Item appearing as dispatch, summary or brief des-
cription or duplicate data with more complete
data available in other sources.
D. Later descriptive account identified with period sources.
E. Later descriptive account not confirmed in period documentary sources.
*Designates duplicate data not included in compilation.
Lytton, B.C.
Victoria Daily Standard
Dec. 16, 1872 pg 3
Victoria, B.C.
LYTTON, Dec. 15--Quite a heavy shock of earthquake
was felt here last night at 9:45 o'clock. The
vibration was north and south, and lasted about
twenty-five seconds. A noise like the rumbling
of a carriage preceded the shock about one
minute.
_________________________________________________________________________
ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
Matsqui, B.C.
Data Source Date Code Remarks
Daily British Colonist December 15, 1872 B
Daily British Colonist December 17, 1872 A
A. Period Account: Primary source for evaluation of intensity or
felt report.
B. Period Account: Insufficient data to evaluate intensity.
C. Period Account: Item appearing as dispatch, summary or brief des-
cription or duplicate data with more complete
data available in other sources.
D. Later descriptive account identified with period sources.
E. Later descriptive account not confirmed in period documentary sources.
*Designates duplicate data not included in compilation.
Matsqui, B.C.
Daily British Colonist
December 15, 1872 page 3
Victoria, B.C.
EARTHQUAKE LAST NIGHT.
Matsqui, B.C.
Daily British Colonist
Dec. 17, 1872 pg 3
Victoria, B.C.
MATSQUI Dec. 15--Two distinct shocks of earthquake
were felt here last night. The first, which
occurred at 9:45 was very severe, causing the
houses to shake violently, and lasted for about
30 seconds. The vibrations were north and south.
The second shock was less severe and lasted about
five seconds, and was succeeded by a loud rumbling
noise.
_________________________________________________________________________
ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
New Westminster, B.C.
Data Source Date Code Remarks
Victoria Daily Standard December 20, 1872 B
Mainland Guardian December 19, 1872 [RSL 8/6/99 From Coombs Report]
A. Period Account: Primary source for evaluation of intensity or
felt report.
B. Period Account: Insufficient data to evaluate intensity.
C. Period Account: Item appearing as dispatch, summary or brief des-
cription or duplicate data with more complete
data available in other sources.
D. Later descriptive account identified with period sources.
E. Later descriptive account not confirmed in period documentary sources.
*Designates duplicate data not included in compilation.
New Westminster, B. C.
Victoria Daily Standard
December 20, 1872 p. 3, col. 5
Victoria, B. C.
Lower Frazier . . . . made a statement that the
earthquake was felt at New Westminster;
there was but a single shock.
_________________________________________________________________________
ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
Nicola Valley, B.C.
Data Source Date Code Remarks
Daily British Colonist December 29, 1872 A
A. Period Account: Primary source for evaluation of intensity or
felt report.
B. Period Account: Insufficient data to evaluate intensity.
C. Period Account: Item appearing as dispatch, summary or brief des-
cription or duplicate data with more complete
data available in other sources.
D. Later descriptive account identified with period sources.
E. Later descriptive account not confirmed in period documentary sources.
*Designates duplicate data not included in compilation.
Nicola Valley
Daily British Colonist
Dec. 29, 1872 page 3
The Earthquake at Nicola Valley
_________________________________________________________________________
ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
O'Damet, B.C.
Data Source Date Code Remarks
Victoria Daily Standard December 16, 1872 A
*Daily British Colonist December 17, 1872 C
A. Period Account: Primary source for evaluation of intensity or
felt report.
B. Period Account: Insufficient data to evaluate intensity.
C. Period Account: Item appearing as dispatch, summary or brief des-
cription or duplicate data with more complete
data available in other sources.
D. Later descriptive account identified with period sources.
E. Later descriptive account not confirmed in period documentary sources.
*Designates duplicate data not included in compilation.
O'Hamet
Victoria Daily Standard
Dec. 16, 1872 pg 3
Victoria, B.C.
O'HAMET(?) Dec. 15--Two distinct shocks of
earthquake were felt here last night; the first
and strongest one commenced at 9:45 and
continued for about 25 seconds preceded by a loud
rumbling noise like the passing of a heavy
wagon. The second one was slighter and only
lasted about five seconds; this last one was
accompanied by four or five loud explosions
in the mountains round here. The shocks threw
down several cattle and scared all the animals
round. The Indians left their houses and took
to their canoes for safety. The direct
the shocks appeared to be from northeast to
southwest.
_________________________________________________________________________
ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
Osoyoos, B.C.
Data Source Date Code Remarks
Mainland Guardian January 9, 1873 A
Daily British Colonist January 10, 1873 A
Victoria Daily
Standard January 10, 1873 A
*Oregonian January 18, 1873 C
A. Period Account: Primary source for evaluation of intensity or
felt report.
B. Period Account: Insufficient data to evaluate intensity.
C. Period Account: Item appearing as dispatch, summary or brief des-
cription or duplicate data with more complete
data available in other sources.
D. Later descriptive account identified with period sources.
E. Later descriptive account not confirmed in period documentary sources.
*Designates duplicates data not included in compilation.
Osoyoos, B. C.
Mainland Guardian
January 9, 1873 p. 3, col. I
New Westminster, B. C.
Osoyoos Lake - the shock of the earthquake
was felt rather severely in this district;
a chimney was shaken down and the earth
cracked in several places. Cattle are doing
well.
Osoyoos, B. C.
Daily British Colonist
January 10, 1873 p. 3, col. 1
Victoria, B. C.
OSOYOOS LAKE, ETC. Mr. W. H. Lowe, who ar-
rived yesterday from Osoyoos reports that
the earthquake was severely felt in that
section. The ground was cracked in several
places, and a chimney of the house of Mr.
T. Kruger was shaken down. The family were
in the house at the time, and, although much
frightened, escaped unhurt. Cattle were
greatly alarmed. Mr. Lowe crossed Hope
Mountain on snowshoes. He met Robertson, the
Kootenay mail carrier five miles this side of
Allison's Ranch. He was out of provisions
and much exhausted from the severity of the
trip having been nine days from Hope. Mr.
Lowe supplied him with provisions, and thinks
that he had no further difficulty in reaching
Allison's. The stock was looking well and
there was only about half an inch of snow in
the valley.
Osoyoos, B. C.
Victoria Daily Standard
January 10, 1873 col. 3
Victoria, B. C.
January 10, 1873 col. 2
CARIBOU AND THE UPPER COUNTRY The earth-
quake shock was felt at Quesnell and Soda
Creek; no damage. On William Creek a
brilliant meteor was seen about the time
of the occurrence of the earthquake.