Data Source Date Code Remarks
The Mountain Sentinel December 21, 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.
This is the third shock, we are informed, that.
has been experienced in this section since
the Settlement of the country one occurring
about twelve months since, and the other about.
three years ago, both however being very light.
This is the third shock, we are informed, that
has been experienced in this section since
the settlement of the country- one occurring
about twelve months since, and the other about
three years ago, both however being very light.
Portland visited by a slight earthquake
last Saturday night for the first time
in her history.
Oregon has long enjoyed an immunity
from visitations from plagues,
epidemic, storms, earthquakes
destructive fires, which have for years
distracted other portions of this
continent. By a singular and pro-
vidential interference, many of
these calamities have been averted
from this particular section of the
Pacific Coast. Twice within the
last year, have sweeping conflagrations
wrapped in their destroying embrace two
of the largest, most wealthy and
important cities of the Union.
Chicago, the queen city of the great
west, has indeed rose, Phoenix
like, from the ashes which, but fourteen
months ago, marked the spot of
her former wealth and commercial pride; but
Boston still stands with its blackened
and charred ruins - and monuments of
its former self - and fresh with
the lingering traces of the remorseless
destroyer. Several times within the
past three years has California been
convulsed with earth shocks attended
with more or less destruction of
property, considerable loss of life, and
that natural state of quietude and
apprehension in the minds of the people.
If the earth, our natural mother
turns against us, where can Mortals
look for refuge.
For the first time in the history of
this State, the knowledge of the
oldest inhabitant to the contrary
notwithstanding, a very slight shock
of earthquake was experienced in this
city last Saturday evening about
20 minutes before 10 o'clock. The shock
lasted about fifteen seconds, and was
distinctly felt by a great number
of people. With many persons it was
confounded with the steamers gun
and the shock was attributed to the
detonation of the charge. But the
steamer's gun was distinctly heard a little
past 8 o'clock, a few minutes before
she reached the wharf. The shock produced
a variety of effects on the people.
Some it awoke out of a sound slumber,
and others, who were gathered at
the meetings of various societies
throughout the city, were more or
less startled by the jar. But the
shock was of insufficient duration
or intensity to crack buildings or
topple over chimneys, and no general
panic ensued. The jar came and
went so quickly that it was gone
before persons were fairly aware of
what the trouble was.
Incidents
The most notable effects of the shock
were the oscillation of chandeliers
and the stopping of pendulum clocks.
At a social meeting of the lodges of
the Odd Fellows at their hall in
East Portland, on Saturday evening, the
shock was clearly felt, but attracted
no particular attention among the
members. The lamps suspended from
the ceilings were violently
agitated, and rocked to and fro for
some time after the shock passes away.
No panic was excited and the affair passed
off jestingly.
The lamps of the saloon on L Street,
near the ferry landing, were violently
shaken, and some commotion was
produced. A fellow under the influence
of liquor, who was fast asleep in
a chair by the stove, on felling the
jar sprang to his feet and uttered
a loud cry from fright.
The sleepers in the Clarendon Hotel were
startled by the jar, and numbers of
the ladies and gentlemen were seen
flitting lively around through the
halls in a condition strangely
suggestive of our first parents in
Eden. The shock was probably more
severely experienced at that hotel
than any where else in the city, owing
to the foundation being less solid
than most of the buildings. The
excitement, however, soon subsided,
when it found that no serious damage
had been done. The scene was one
calculated to arouse the risibility
of the spectators.
When the shock was first experienced
at the Good Templars' Hall, corner
of Front and Alder streets, the Lodge
was in the midst of its session. The
room was first felt to rock gently
to and fro, and the gas burners
commenced to oscillate. The Secretary
clutched the table convulsively, and
cried out "Earthquake!" in a loud
tone which brought the Lodge to its
feet in a twinkle. Order was
restored in a moment, and to the
general interrogatory of "What was
that?" the Worthy Chief announced, with
great mock gravity, that the "chair
decided it was a genuine earthquake
which had visited them". The momentary
fright passed away and the assembled
members soon laughed at their previously
excited fears. The hall is situated
in the third story of a brick building,
and had the shock been long and severe
the results might have been attended
-with disastrous consequences.
A gentlemen having occasion to come
down into the business portion of the
city returned to his residence
about 11 o'clock. He found to
his surprise his wife and children
all up, and greatly perturbed by the shock,
for which they were all unable to
account. The gentleman was equally at
a loss to tell, as he had not felt the
shock at all.
We have heard of numerous other ludicrous
incidents connected with this slight
"brush" of the ages, but space forbids.
The shock seems to have been felt simultan-
eously east of the mountains and up the
valley. Very naturally this first
throe of old mother earth has produced
a world of conjecture in the public mind.
Seattle, December 15. - Last night at about
twenty minutes to 10 o'clock, the citizens
of this place were suddenly startled by the
heaviest earthquake ever felt so far north
on the coast as this. With the exception of
the earthquake at San Francisco in 1865 it
is doubtful whether so violent and long
continued a one has been felt for years on
the entire coast. No damage was done, but
frame buildings swayed to and fro like small
crafts at sea. There were three series of
shocks.
Olympia, December 15. - A sharp shock of
earthquake was felt here at 23 minutes to 10
last night. No damage was done further than
the cracking of ceilings and breaking of a
few window panes. The motion was from
southeast to northwest.
Victoria, December 15. - Last night at 23
minutes to 10 o'clock this 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
ten seconds.
Wallula, December 15. - Capt. J.C. Ainsworth:
At 20 minutes past 9 o'clock last evening we
were visited with quite a heavy shock of earth-
quake, lasting about fifty seconds. I
should judge, followed by five lighter
shocks at intervals of about fifteen
minutes, after which a heavy, rumbling
sound was heard as distinctly as a heavy
peal of thunder. The thermometer fell from
30 degrees to 26 degrees. The shaking mania that had
attacked terra firma continued at irregular
periods until 4 o'clock this morning.
Although the first shock was violent enough
to shake buildings, and their contents up
pretty lively, yet no damage or in injury was
sustained by any one, that I am aware of.
December 15. - Weather this morning
cloudy; no wind; thermometer 30 degrees.
Walla Walla, December 15. - Two heavy
shocks were felt here last night. Clocks
stopped at 10 minutes before 10.
Umatilla, December 15. - Weather cloudy;
thermometer- 400; had an earthquake last
night; three shakes; no damage.
Dalles had four or five shakes of earth-
quake last night.
On Saturday evening last at about half past 9
O'clock, this section of country was visited by a
shock of earthquake, which, as far as we are able
to learn, did little or no damage. The
vibrations lasted probably thirty seconds, and
seemed to be from the east to the west. The
sensation we felt was a very peculiar one and had
a tendency in a moment to destroy the illusion
and faith we have always had in the stability of
the surface of the earth. Animals, especially
cows, dogs, and swine, seemed to experience the
disturbance if we judge from the commotion they
made at that time.
This we believe is the second one that has ever
been felt at The Dalles, the former being some
six years ago and was quite light. It has been
supposed by many that a calm, an oppressive heat
and a misty horizon are always the fore runners of
this phenomenon; but, we are happy to say that
in this instance these signs all failed, for we
did not observe anything peculiar, either in the
air, or otherwise, about that time. The cause of
earthquakes is supposed to come directly from
volcanic force. For instance when a volcano is in
active operation, or as we might term it,
off steam," there is no danger of an earthquake;
but should it quiet down for a length of time and
be followed by a large fall of rain, terrible
explosions and quaking of the earth may be expected.
The wave of an earthquake is said to travel at the
rate of several miles in a second, until it
expends is force. From this fact we are led to
suppose that . the wave we experienced may have
come from Mount Vesuvius in Italy, or from the
great Piahincha in South America; but not knowing
can't say. However, we expect to hear soon of
some place having been very much shaken on the face
of the earth, as in our opinion, the little quake
we received in this latitude was only the tail end
of one of immense magnitude that took place in
some other part of the globe.
Up to the present time, it has been ascertained
that the shock was felt simultaneously as far
south as Eugene City, in Oregon, north as
British Columbia, and east as Lewiston,
Umatilla and Walla Walla, the intermediate
region, of course being affected at every
place from which reports have been received.
At Victoria, Port Townsend, Seattle,
Steilacoom, on the Puyallup, at Kalama,
Vancouver, and many other points the des-
cription of time and manner is identical with
that of this place. A gentleman living on
the Puyallup informs us that the effect
upon the tall fir trees was startling and
grand. They were swayed to and fro by the
irresistable force, their entertaining
branches rustling with the agitation as if
shaken by some giant hand, while the earth'
appeared to be moved by the passage of ail
elastic wave of motion, resembling billows
of the ocean. The area affected by the
shocks is probably much greater than the
limits described, and on some portion of the
coast it may have been attended by the
usual horrors, but we have yet to learn of
a casualty or loss of any importance from
the dread phenomena.
ATTENDING PHENOMENA
The approach of an earthquake is said to be
heralded by several premonitory symptoms.
People are sometimes affected with dizziness,
the sun appears red and fiery, and dumb
animals frequently utter cries of distress.
This is attributed to an electric charge
in the atmosphere, which produces a feeling
of uneasiness. The wind lulls and rains
pour down in torrents at times. The atmos-
phere is generally very still, while the
surface of the ocean or lakes is usually
disturbed. A sound as of distant thunder
or the firing of artillery, sometimes
accompanies or proceeds the movements.
This is the third shock, we are informed, that
has been experienced in this section since
the settlement of the country one occurring
about twelve months since, and the other about
three years ago, both however being very light.
_________________________________________________________________________
ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
Pendleton, Oregon
Data Source Date Code Rema
rks
The Mountain Sentinel December 21, 1872 A
Oregonian January 7, 1873 B
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.
Pendleton, Oregon
The Mountain Sentinel
Saturday Dec. 21, 1872
Union, Oregon
An Earthquake - at 10 o'clock and 15 minutes
last Saturday night the propriety of virtuous
maidens and bashful men received a severe
shock from a quaking of mother earth, which
forced them from their downy couches in a
twinkling. The shock, or wave rather, seemed
to assume a northeast and southwest direction,
and lasted from ten seconds to one minute, own-
ing to the condition, mentally of the party
giving the information. We are inclined to
the belief that the shock lasted a minute. In
this county no damage was done, no clocks
stopped, nor no crockery smashed; not so
however at Walla Walla where both of these
events transpired, and at Wallula the same
results were effected. At Pendleton in
Umatilla county the shock was about the same
as here. At Baker City in Baker county and
at Union in this county, cracks or openings,
of very limited extent however, were left in
the earth, unlike those made by the frost.
One single thing in connection with this
shock ought to be mentioned. Within a radius
of three miles, taking this place as a center,
the shock at different points was much greater
than at others - for instance, at Oro Dell
people were awakened from sound sleep and
frightened by the rattling of furniture and
dishes, while at other points the commotion
was not sufficient to attract the attention
of persons not yet retired for the night.
Pendleton, Oregon
Oregonian
Jan. 7, 1873
Portland, Oregon
A gentleman writing from Pendleton says,
"As to the earthquake, about which so
much has been said and written, I would merely
add that Pendleton came in for a full share,
and had a fair shake with the rest of the
towns in Eastern Oregon."
_________________________________________________________________________
ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
Portland, Oregon
Data Source Date Code Remarks
Daily Oregonian December 16, 1872 A
*Daily British Colonist December 17, 1872 c
Daily Oregonian December 17, 1872 B
*Victoria Daily
Standard December 17, 1872 c
Daily Oregonian December 19, 1872 B
*The Weekly Echo December 19, 1872 c
*Daily Oregonian December 20, 1872 c
*Cariboo Sentinel December 21, 1872 c
The Catholic Sentinel December 21, 1872 A
*Democratic Times December 21, 1872 c
*The New Northwest December 21, 1872 c
*Weekly Corvallis
Gazette December 21, 1872 c
*Idaho Tri-Weekly
Statesman December 24, 1872 c
*The New Northwest December 28, 1872 c
Oregonian December 30, 1872 B
ADDITIONAL ACCOUNTS 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.
PORTLAND, OREGON
Daily Oregonian
December 16, 1872
Portland, Oregon
"The First Shock"
Portland, Oregon
Daily Oregonian
Dec. 17, 1872 -p 2
Portland, Oregon
Our neighbors of Washington Territory and
Vancouver Island, it appears, were shaken up in
a manner decidedly more lively than was
accorded to us. While many of our citizens did
not perceive the shock at all, and others felt
it so slightly as not to be able to distinguish
it from the ordinary effect of the steamer's
gun, the people along the Sound and at
Victoria had some of their window panes broken,
their crockery tumbled from the shelves, and
their frame buildings rocking in faint imitation
of a vessel at sea. We do not wonder that some
of the people should have fled to the streets
for safety. That is the orthodox thing to do
in a first class earthquake. It is true,
those who remained in their houses escaped
harm, while many of those who ran out, got more
or less injured by falling cornices and such
like; but then the regular thing to be done
on such occasions, is to run out into the streets:
and the regular thing should always be done,
even if it is a little dangerous.
PORTLAND, OREGON
Daily Oregonian
December 19, 1872
Portland, Oregon
Cracked - For the first time a crack
was observed last Sunday morning
extending across the three steps
at the western entrance of the Court
House. The fissure did not exist
before Saturday and the most
reasonable explanation of its
appearance is that the seam was
produced by the earthquake on
Saturday evening.
PORTLAND, OREGON
The Catholic Sentinel
December 21, 1872
Portland, Oregon
A NEW ERA - The people of Oregon and
Washington Territory have a new
era from which to date certain events.
The earthquake era. Last Saturday
evening, about half past nine o'clock
many people felt the earth trembling
under their feet in nearly all portions
of the state and the neighboring
Territories. The vibrations in this
city seemed to be more severe in the
upper part, several persons averring
that the shock was heavy enough to
move furniture out of place. The
daily papers relate some amusing
and highly colored incidents which are said
to have happened during the few seconds
of earth's convulsion in these parts.
Many are those who are yet dubious
about there being an earthquake at all,
not having felt the slightest sensation
of its presence, but though we ourselves
did not feel the shock, we cannot
doubt of its occurrence. It
was felt over a wide region according
to accounts received. At the Dalles
it was perceptibly felt. There
were four of five distinct vibrations.
At Walla Walla two shocks were
felt. At Wallula there was quite
a heavy shock, followed by
lighter ones. The thermometer fell from
30 to 26. Slight vibrations were
felt at intervals until 4 o'clock in the
morning. It was also perceptibly felt
in San Francisco and throughout California.
From this time forth we may expect
to hear of earthquakes every now
and then timid people, every time they
get a little qualmish, crying earthquake.
Portland, Oregon
Oregonian
Dec. 30, 1872
Portland, Oregon
It is rumored that the earthquake shook the
spectacles from the nose of a somewhat
distinguished professor at the Forest Grove
University.
_________________________________________________________________________
ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
Rainier, Oregon
Data Source Date Code Remarks
Daily Oregonian December 17, 1872 B
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.
Rainier, Oregon
Daily Oregonian
December 17, 1872
Portland, Oregon
Not Felt--Although the shock was felt uncom-
fortably plain at the Dalles last Saturday
evening, the residents of the Cascades, it
appears, were in blissful ignorance of the fact
until the OREGONIAN reached there yesterday
morning, which contained an account of the shock
in this city, and also dispatches from east of
the mountains. If the earthquake visited that
place at all it must have been so slight that
its pressure was not detected.
Shook Up - The earthquake which was felt here on
last Saturday evening, was sensibly experienced
at Columbia City, St. Helens, Rainier and other
points along the Columbia. It is said that the
trembling was not noticed at Kalama at all. On
Lewis river the ' vibrations were so violent as
to shake the chickens from the roost, and to
unnerve the confidence of the strongest.
_________________________________________________________________________
ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
Roseburg, Oregon
Data Source Date Code Remarks
*Plaindealer December 20, 27, - No data indicating a
1872 local felt report for
this locality.
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.
_________________________________________________________________________
ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
Salem, Oregon
Data Source Date Code Remarks
*Portland Oregonian December 17, 1872 c
Willamette Farmer December 21, 1872 A
Weekly Mercury December 20, 1872 A
ADDITIONAL ACCOUNTS 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.
SALEM, OREGON
Willamette Fanner
December 21, 1872
Salem, Oregon
Earthquake On Saturday evening last,
about twenty minutes to ten o'clock, a
slight earthquake shock was sensibly felt
by a number of people in this city. Dis-
patches from different parts of the coast
north represent the shock as quite alarming
to some people. The heaviest shocks appear
to have been at Wallula , Victoria, and on
Puget Sound.
SALEM, OREGON
Weekly Mercury
December 20, 1872 pg 3
Salem, Oregon
THE EARTHQUAKE - The light shock of earthquake with which we were
visited last Saturday evening enjoyed no little recognition among people who happened to bee in the upper stories of brick buildings, though the shock was so light at this point that few people who were on the ground were aware that there was anything wrong with the equilibrium, electricity or otherwise, of mother earth, and many knew nothing of the shaking we had had for two days after it occurred. Although hanging lamps, chandeliers, etc. .[illegible]... clocks stopped and the walls of buildings cracked, the vibration was not as perceptible here as at other pints on the couse of the shock, which appeared to be from northeast to southwest.
_________________________________________________________________________
ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
St. Helens, Oregon
Data Source Date Code Remarks
Daily Oregonian December 17, 1872 B
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.
St. Helens, Oregon
Daily Oregonian
December 17, 1872
Portland, Oregon
Not Felt--Although the shock was felt uncom-
fortably plain at the Dalles last Saturday
evening, the residents of the Cascade, it
appears, were in blissful ignorance to the fact
until the OREGONIAN reached there yesterday
morning, which contained an account of the shock
in this city, and also dispatches from east of
the mountains. If the earthquake visited that
place at all it must have been so slight that
its pressure was not detected.
Shook Up - The earthquake which was felt here on
last Saturday evening, was sensibly experienced
at Columbia City, St. Helens, Rainier and other
points along the Columbia. It is said that the
trembling was not noticed at Kalama at all. On
Lewis river the vibrations were so violent as
to shake the chickens from the roost, and to
unnerve the confidence of the strongest.
_________________________________________________________________________
ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
The Dalles, Oregon
Data Source Date Code Remarks
*Daily Oregonian December 17, 1872 c
*The Weekly Echo December 19, 1872 c
Willamette Farmer December 21, 1872 B
*The Catholic Sentinel December 21, 1872 c
*The New Northwest December 28, 1872 c
*Victoria Daily
Standard December 17, 1872 c
*Daily British Colonist December 17, 1872 c
*Cariboo Sentinel December 21, 1872 c
*Weekly Corvallis
Gazette December 21, 1872 c
Weekly Mountaineer December 21, 1872 A
ADDITIONAL ACCOUNTS (and aftershocks) 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.
The Dalles
Willamette Farmer
December 21, 1872
Salem, Oregon
December 15. Weather this morning
cloudy; no wind; thermometer 30 degrees.
Walla Walla, December 15. - Two heavy
shocks were felt here last night. Clocks
stopped at 10 minutes before 10.
Umatilla, December 15. - Weather cloudy;
thermometer. 40 degrees; had an earthquake last
night; three shakes; no damage.
Dalles had four or five shakes of earth-
quake last night.
The Dalles
Weekly Mountaineer
Dec. 21, 1872 p 2
The Dalles, Oregon
THE EARTHQUAKE
_________________________________________________________________________
ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
Umatilla, Oregon
Data Source Date Code Remarks
*The Weekly Echo December 19, 1872 c
Washington Standard December 21, 1872 B
*Willamette Farmer December 21, 1872 c
*The New Northwest December 28, 1872 c
*Daily British Colonist December 17, 1872 c
*Victoria Daily December 17, 1872 c
Standard
*Cariboo Sentinel December 21, 1872 c
Weekly Corvallis December 21, 1872 B
Gazette
ADDITIONAL ACCOUNTS 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.
Umatilla, Oregon
Washington Standard
December 21, 1872
Olympia, WT
Its Extent
This is page 3 of 5 pages; the succeeding pages describe the events
in Olympia, only, and therefore, are not included in this folder.
See the Olympia folder for complete article.
Umatilla, Ore.
Weekly Corvallis Gazette
Dec. 21, 1872 pg 2
(from: Oregonian, Dec. 16,
1872)
Umatilla, Dec. 15--Weather cloudy; thermometer
40 deg; had earthquake last night; three
shocks; no damage.
_________________________________________________________________________
ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
Union, Oregon
Data Source Date Code Remarks
The Mountain Sentinel December 21, 1872 B
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.
Union, Oregon
The Mountain Sentinel
Saturday Dec. 21, 1872
Union, Oregon
An Earthquake - at 10 o'clock and 15 minutes
last Saturday night the propriety of virtuous
maidens and bashful men received a severe
shock from a quaking of mother earth, which
forced them from their downy couches in a
twinkling. The shock, or wave rather, seemed
to assume a northeast and southwest direction,
and lasted from ten seconds to one minute, own-
ing to the condition, mentally of the party
giving the infomation. We are inclined to
the belief that the shock lasted a minute. In
this county no damage was done, no clocks
stopped, nor no crockery smashed; not so
however at Walla Walla where both of these
events transpired, and at. Wallula the
results were effected. At Pendleton in
Umatilla county the shock was about the same
as here. At Baker City in Baker county and
at Union in this county, cracks or openings,
of very limited extent however, were left in
the earth, unlike those made by the frost.
One single thing in connection with
shock ought to be mentioned. Within a radius
of three miles, taking this place as a center,
the shock at different points was much greater
than at others for instance, at Oro Dell
people were awakened from sound sleep and
frightened by the rattling of furniture and
dishes, while at other points the commotion
was not sufficient to attract the attention
of persons not yet retired for the night.
_________________________________________________________________________
ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
Weston, Oregon
Data Source Date Code Remarks
Oregonian December 30, 1872 B
ADDITIONAL ACCOUNTS 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.
Weston, Oregon
Oregonian
December 30, 1872 p. 4
Portland, Oregon
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 earth-
quake experienced in and around Weston on the
river. No further particulars are given.
_________________________________________________________________________
ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
Willow Creek (Head of), Oregon
Data Source Date Code Remarks
Willamette Farmer December 28, 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.
Head of Willow Creek, Oregon
Willamette Farmer
Dec. 28, 1872 pg 4
Salem, Oregon
SEVERE--From a gentleman who arrived in Salem,
last Sunday, from the head of Willow Creek,
Umatilla county, we learn that the late earthquake
shock was so severe at that place, that. he was
nearly thrown out of his bed, and that articles
suspended on the walls oscillated like a clock
pendulum. The animals, cattle and horses, seemed
to be greatly terrified. The shock appeared to
come from towards the Three Sisters, and our
informant said he believed they had "waken up
and shaken themselves."
_________________________________________________________________________
ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
Willow Forks, Oregon
Data Source Date Code Remarks
Willamette Farmer January 4, 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.
Willow Forks, Ore.
Willamette Farmer
Salem, Oregon
Jan. 4 (Sat) 1873 pg 4
UMATILLA COUNTY.--A letter to us from A.C. Pettys, at
Willow Forks, Umatilla county, Dec. 25th, has the
following: "Today is as fine and warm as an April
day. The contrast between this and last Christmas
is striking--one warm, and the other cold. I think
now our winter will not be very heavy, which we have
all been so fearful of. Stock are doing well. The
peaceable people of Willow Forks and vicinity were
very much disturbed on the night of the earthquake.
A few got mad and showed fight, as they thought some
were playing tricks on them by rattling their
windows and doors, and otherwise disturbing their
peace."