The 1872 North Cascades Earthquake
Oregon Reporting Localities



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ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
Oro Dell, Oregon


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.


Oro Dell, Oregon
The Mountain Sentinel
Saturday Dec. 21, 1872
Union, Oregon

An Earthquake - at 10 o'clock and 15 minutes last Saturday night the propriety oil 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 shook 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.

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.

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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.

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.



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."



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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 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.

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.



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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.



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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.




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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.

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.



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.



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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.



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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

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.



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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

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 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.



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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.

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.

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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.



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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."



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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."