The 1872 North Cascades Earthquake
Washington Reporting Localities



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ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
Lewis River, Washington.


Data Source             Date                            Code        Remarks

Daily Oregonian December 7, 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.




Lewis River, Washington
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
New Dungeness, Washington.


Data Source             Date                            Code        Remarks



The Olympia Transcript February 1, 1873 A Time noted in account is 10:22 P.M.



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.


New Dungeness, W.T.
The Olympia Transcript
Olympia, W.T.
Feb. 1, 1873 pg 3

CLALLAM COUNTY ITEMS-- A correspondent of the Pacific-Tribune, writing from New Dungeness, under date of Jan. 24th, says:

"In reading your paper, I notice a great deal about the earthquake. I think perhaps we got the most lively shaking on this long neck of sand, running five miles into the Straits. It commenced vibrating at 22 minutes past 10 P.M., gradually increasing to such violence that the tower rocked to and fro, most alarmingly. The tower and dwelling were very badly cracked.





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ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
Olympia, Washington


Data Source             Date                            Code        Remarks


Data Source Date Code Remarks
Daily Pacific Tribune December 16, 1872 A Same appears in Weekly Pacific Tribune Decem- ber 21, 1872. Daily Pacific Tribune December 17, 1872 A Capt. Lawson Observations: Same appears in Weekly Pacific Tribune December 21, 1872 *Daily Pacific Tribune December 18, 1872 c Same appears in Weekly Pacific Tribune December 31, 1872 Daily Pacific Tribune December 18, 1872 A Same appears in Weekly Pacific Tribune, December 21, 1872. *Morning Oregonian December 19, 1872 *Puget Sound Daily December 19, 1872 Courier *Puget Sound Express December 19, 1872 Weekly Echo December 19, 1872 *Morning Oregonian December 20, 1872 Capt. Lawson observations *Oregonian December 20, 1872 *Plaindealer December 20, 1872 *Cariboo Sentinel December 21, 1872 Notes "Considerable damage was done to the Bank and other brick buildings;" see Washington Standard, December 21, 1872.

*Eugene City Guard December 21, 1872 c Same appears in Oregon State Journal December 21, 1872 *Morning Oregonian December 21, 1872 c *Oregonian December 21, 1872 c *Oregon State Journal December 21, 1872 c *The Olympia Trans- cript Olympia, Washington
Puget Sound Weekly December 21, 1872 A Same appears in Puget Courier Sound Daily Courier, December 16, 1872. Washington Standard December 21, 1872 A "No damage has been done in this vicinity, the bank and the county jail, the only brick buildings, not showing a crack..." see Cariboo Sentinel, December 21, 1872. *Willamette Farmer December 21, 1872 c *Idaho Tri-Weekly December 24, 1872 c Statesman *Puget Sound Dispatch December 26, 1872 c Capt. Lawson observations *The Weekly Echo December 26, 1872 c *Idaho Signal December 28, 1872 c *The New Northwest December 28, 1872 c
Additional References and Accounts from Coombs et. al, 1976 Includes info about aftershocks felt in Olympia [RSL 8/9/1999]

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.


Olympia, WT
Daily Pacific Tribune
Dec. 16, 1872 - page 2
Weekly Pacific Tribune
Dec. 21, 1872 - page 4
Olympia, WT
AN EARTHQUAKE!

A Lively Shaking up - Fright of Women and Children - Universal Con- sternation - Laughable and other Incidents.

From about fifteen minutes to 10 o'clock, on Saturday night last, to the hour of going to press, this evening the all-absorbing topic of conversation in Olympia and vicinity was the earthquake. Unlike Cali- fornia and South America, earthquakes here are of such rare occurrence, (having visited Puget Sound on two occasions only in four years, prior to which they were unknown to the oldest inhabitants) that very natu- rally they create great consternation, especially among women and chil- dren and the more timid of the stronger sex. Such was the effect of the last trembling fit of mother earth.

At about the hour above mentioned our citizens were disturbed in their slumbers, (those of them who had retired) in their meditations, avo- cations and pastimes by a rumbling and quaking of the earth such as few had witnessed before. For some moments all were at a loss to account for the phenomenon, as unusual as it was startling. When the real character of the disturbance became known, alarm succeeded sur- prise, and many women and children gave vent to their terror in shrieks and screams. one instance is related to us of a lady in Swantown fainting through excessive fright.

The first shock was followed, at intervals of a few minutes each, by two others, very distinct but not so violent. These were succeeded by a slight trembling of the earth, hardly perceptible, several times repeated. During the whole night the shocks continued; one, about one o'clock in the morning, being the second heaviest of the number. Several were very slight tremors, perceptible only to those who were wide awake. The last shock is said to have occurred a little before five o'clock Sunday morning. The course of the shocks was north and south. We have witnessed a number of earthquakes in San Francisco, one of which threw us off our feet and another out of bed, but, never have we experienced one of equal duration. Many are of opinion that the first shock lasted two minutes; a very long period to people of weak nerves.

Rarely are we vouchsafed a night so beautiful as the one in question. Not a cloud was visible, save near the horizon in the northwest, while the vault above was brilliantly illuminated by a full moon and bright stars. Prior to the earthquake the temperature was not uncomfortable, being scarcely low enough for frost; afterwards it grew rapidly colder, until at midnight it was as keen as we have felt this season. During the night there was no wind observable.

A number of ladies and gentlemen were in St. John's church, rehearsing for the Old Folks' Concert. Among their selections for the occasion is the familiar anthem,

"Joy to the world! the Lord has come,"

which words they had just sung, we are told, when the earthquake was felt. Several of the company thought surely the event proclaimed in the anthem was then transpiring. The hanging lamps in the church were agitated to such a degree by the shock that it was deemed prudent to extinguish the lights, when the assemblage dispersed.

In one of the saloons a party of men were intently engaged in gambling. The first shock startled them, but did not break up the game. When the second shock was felt, they concluded they had a call outside, and left the table in such haste that they forgot to carry off the stakes, which remained on the table until their alarm had subsided. An earth- quake is a game of chance which they were not prepared to encounter.

In some localities chickens came down or were shaken down from their roosts, while nearly all quadrupeds betrayed much alarm.

on the cessation of the first shock, it was observed that all the clocks with pendulums moving east and west had stopped. Other clocks were not affected by the earthquake.

It is said that in one of the Masonic Lodges, in session at the time, a gentleman was being initiated. He did not suspect the cause, think- ing the rumbling and shaking a part of the initiation ceremonies; but the members were so alarmed that they sought safety in flight, leaving the candidate alone in the hall.

Chimneys were cracked, milk thrown from pitchers on shelves, animals startled, everything pendent set to swing, doors rattled, and every animate and inanimate object was agitated more or less. People moving on the streets at the time did not experience any motion, but witnessed the swaying of street poles, etc., in every part of the town.

The steamer North Pacific was lying in the mud alongside the wharf, and experienced the shock most violently. If it had come from the east or west, she would have been dashed against the wharf and sustained serious damage; but, coming lengthwise of the boat, she was moved in an indescribable manner, creaking at every joint. Everything movable was thrown about, like the furniture of a vessel in a storm, and her lamps set to blazing so that it became necessary to extinguish the lights to prevent the boat taking fire. The wharf and warehouse alongside swayed in a drunken and dangerous manner, which continued until long after the cessation of the shocks, and was renewed at each repetition of it. On board of the brig Fauntleroy, afloat in the



OLYMPIA, WT
Daily Pacific Tribune
December 17, 1872, p.2
Seattle, WT

Earthquake

On Saturday evening last, at twenty minutes to eleven o'clock, our citizens were sur- prised and startled by an earthquake that shook the buildings until everything rattled and creaked and strained like a ship in a cyclone. The night was clear and frosty, the thermometer indicating 27 degrees, the moon shining brightly. Its coming was not announced by any supernatural sounds said to frequently proceed them, but a deep, rumbling noise, like a heavy wind rumbling through the forest, commenced about 10 seconds after the first jar was experienced and continued to its close and left a profound impress, a feeling of awe, on the minds of all. The quake lasted quite two minutes, the vibrations being from the south-east and northwest. It began and ceased with a light movement, but during the time two shocks were very sharp. A variety of sensations were experienced, a disagree- able one being like a nausea or seasickness, while all things human appeared to dwindle into insignificance when compared to the mighty throes of the earth. A few moments after the subsidence of the first heavy shocks, two light ones were felt: lighter ones were also felt at 12 o'clock, 1 and 5 making ten distinct shocks during the night. No damage was done but many laughable incidents transpired that it is not the province of this article to speak of.



Olympia, W. T.
Weekly Pacific Tribune
Dec. 21, 1872 pg 2
Seattle, Washington

MORE OF THE EARTHQUAKE

Capt. James S. Lawson took a scientific observation of the earthquake on Saturday night last. Its direction was from the south to the north, at first; subsequently it changed around to a course from the southwest to the northeast. It was timed with a chronometer watch, absolutely correct, and the direction noted by a swinging lamp. In an unofficial report to Prof. Davidson, at San Francisco, Capt. Lawson says:

Dec. 14' 1872.---Shock occurred precisely at 9h.40 1/2m. P.M. It commenced with a light movement gradually increasing for eighteen or twenty seconds. Then came the heavy shock, lasting four or five seconds; then it gradually decreased. In six minutes after the first shock there was another, followed by two others one minute apart. At 10h. 12m. 40s. There was another shock, and after 11 P.M. there were five others.

During "the night other shocks were reported, (I did not feel them) at 3 and 5 o'clock.

On Sunday evening, at 6h. 37 1/2 m.,. a light shock Dec. 16, at 9h 17m. A.M., another light shock. The shock was felt as far south as Eugene, in Oregon, and north far up into British Columbia, probably even in Alaska. In Victoria and else- where on Vancouver Island the shock is said to have been heavier than at any other point heard from.

In Olympia we have heard of but a single article broken or damaged by the shock. This was a statuette; which was thrown from the top of a what-not and smashed on the floor. in the Seattle stores, we are informed, considerable quantities of crockery and glassware were smashed.

From what is so far known, the earthquake was confined mainly to the Puget Sound basin, thence extending north and south with a gradually de- creasing force, until it disappeared in a distance of four or five hundred miles.



Olympia, W. T.
Daily Pacific Tribune
Dec. 18, 1872 p 3
Weekly Pacific Tribune
Dec. 21, 1872 p 3
Olympia

MORE EARTHQUAKE--AT 10 minutes after 11 last night we were again visited by our earthquake, which made its coming known by a very sharp shock. Its stay was very short, not exceeding ten seconds in duration. It was said to have come again two hours later in the night, but as we were asleep and did not notice it, we won't mention it further. The 11 o'clock quake came suddenly, breaking on us like a clap of thunder, gradually dwindling down to nothing. Several clocks were stopped, swinging lamps put in motion, doors jarred, restless people waked up, timid people kept awake, everybody set to talking, Some to trembling, others to laughing and editors to writing- No one nor anything was hurt, and people sighed with relief at its cessation. We have always con- tended that this Territory was peculiarly favored, and this is but a verification of that claim. Our shock of Saturday evening would have been a good one in the best earthquake country, and seldom if ever, have there been more shakes or quakes in any land in the same length of time than we have had here in the last four or five days.



Olympia, W. T.
Weekly Echo
Dec. 19, 1872 pg 2
Olympia, Washington

Olympia, W. T.

EARTHQUAKE,

On Saturday evening last, at twenty minutes to eleven o'clock, our citizens were surprised and startled by an earthquake that shook the buildings until everything rattled and creaked and strained like a ship in a cyclone. The night was clear and frosty, the thermometer indicating 27 , the moon shining brightly. Its coming was not announced by any supernatural sounds said to frequently precede them, but a deep, rumbling noise, like a heavy wind storm rushing through the forest, commenced about 10 seconds after the first jar was experienced, and continued to its close and left a profound impress, a feeling of awe, on the minds of all. The shock lasted quite two minutes, the vibrations being from the south-east and north- west. It began and ceased with a light movement, but during the time two shocks were very sharp. A variety of sensations were experienced, a disagree- able one being like a nausea or sea-sickness, while all things human appeared to dwindle into insigni- ficance when compared to the mighty throes of the earth. A few moments after the subsidence of the first heavy shocks, two light ones were felt; lighter ones were also felt at 12 o'clock, 1 and 5, making ten distinct shocks during the night. No damage was done, but many laughable incidents tran- spired that it is not the province of this article to speak of. To the northward it was felt equally as severe, so far as we can learn, at Steilacoom, Puyallup, Seattle, Port Madison, Port Gamble, Port Townsend and Victoria, also on the main land of British Columbia, until lost in the un- inhabitable wilds of the north. It was an un- welcome visitor at the southward, remembering Kalama, Portland and several places up the valley slightly, Cascades, the Dalles, Umatilla, Wallula, Walla Walla and other places beyond the mountains; in no case was damage done. The time from the north and southeast seems to have been a little in advance of the first shock here, together with other evidence, seems to indicate that it came from that direction, perhaps from the volcano region of the Rocky Mountains. This earthquake appears to be exclusively ours at the north, California claiming no interest in it whatever, it not extending much towards the southward. While no harm was the result, further than fright, a repetition of the experience is not desirable.



Olympia, WT
Puget Sound Weekly Courier
Dec. 21, 1872 pg 2
Olympia, Washington
Puget Sound Daily Courier
Dec. 16, 1872 pg 2
Olympia, Washington

OUR EARTHQUAKE VISITATION

"Deceased nature often times breaks forth In strange eruptions oft the teeming earth, Is with a kind of colic pinch'd and vex'd By the imprisoning of unruly wind Within her womb; Which, for enlargement striving Shakes the old beldame earth and Topples down steeples and moss grown towers.

King Henry IV

We have always understood and believed that earthquakes were preceded by symptoms and indica- tions of warning, which although different in character, were certain to make their appearance before the final shock. A surcharge of electricity in a hazy atmosphere for months, through which the sun looks red and fiery, sudden changes in the wind from fierce and fitful gusts, to sullen, dark and ominous calms, a terrible feeling of oppression and a sensation resembling vertigo pervading all animal creation, and many other characteristics are noted among the premonitory symptoms which herald the approach of an earthquake.

But the phenomena which made a visitation to this section on Saturday night, sent no such "avant coureur". For days and days we have had the golden sun shining in cloudless skies, the pure sweet airs, and clear white moons culminating in a series of peerless days and nights, falling on all creation like a benison. But at 9:40 P.M. on Saturday eve, a shock came sudden like a peal of thunder or a flash of lightning, first seeming to lift everything upward and then for the space of 55 seconds rocking forward and back, a little faster than the pendulum of an ordinary clock or like the motion of a small craft in a choppy sea. This vibrating movement was of sufficient severity to seriously alarm our people. Books were thrown from shelves, chinaware and dishes rattled furiously, in some houses, the plastering cracked and fell to the floor, the houses seemed to be afloat and were thrown back and forward as by the passage of an irresistible wave beneath them, chandeliers and hanging pictures were swinging violently; the shade trees were in strong motion as if grasped by some invisible power and shaking and bending from north to south, a feeling akin to sea sickness seized many people, and all were at least momentarily alarmed. A great many seriocomic incidents, bordering on the ludicrous, occurred during the first shock, which we, however, leave to be related in the proper column. As it was, no serious harm was done; but we have no doubt but that the severity of the shock, if experienced in San Francisco or other cities, where the structures are high and top-heavy; with thin walls and insecure foundations, would have resulted in loss of life and great destruction of property. A gentleman living near the bay observed that the water had receded much more than usual, apparently leaving the bed of the bay high and dry, but this recession was not followed by the usual tidal phenomena, which immediately propels back the waters with redoubled force. The first shock was followed at intervals during the whole night by seven others of more or less violence,' but none equaling in force the first, the last one occurring at 6:40 yesterday morning.



Olympia, WT
Washington Standard
December 21, 1872
Olympia, WT

The Topic of the Week

The all-absorbing theme of the past few days has been the startling verification on last Saturday night. All appear to have felt a lively interest in the mysterious power and to have exhibited so little con- cern for the result of the unusual phenomenon. It was a profitable visitation from at least one point of view. The people have shaken off the lethargy peculiar to this season and have talked almost incessantly; our brother quill-drivers have exultantly, piled up quires of manuscript, descriptive of the event and its attendant incidents; while the clergy have seized upon the occasion to accentuate their warnings with a solemnity inspired by the grand and mysterious throes of Mother Earth.

The shocks occurred precisely at forty minutes and thirty seconds past nine o'clock, chronometer time, and lasted about thirty seconds, increasing in intensity until near the close of the vibration. Its direction was from the South to the North, and subsequently from the Southwest to the Northeast. In six minutes afterwards, three shocks were felt about one minute apart. At ten and eleven o'clock and on Sunday morning at three, five and half past six o'clock other light shocks were experienced. In fact for the period of twenty-four hours succeeding the first shock, the vibration appears to have been felt at intervals of a few hours, but not of sufficient intensity to create alarm, or even to attract the attention of those engaged in active vocations. No damage has been done in this vicinity, the bank and county jail, the only brick buildings, not showing a crack, and not even a chimney has been overthrown, although the shock has been pronounced as heavy as many in San Francisco that have caused no small damage to property.

Earthquake Incidents

The shaking of old "terra firma" was produc- tive of a firmer terror in the breasts of some of our citizens than any previous experience. One good lady quaked in such perfect sympathy with mother earth that her head is yet swimming. Another most estimable person, awakened at the first shock, made of herself a spectral tableau under the moon's pale light, her robe of d'nuit glistening in the frosty air. At St. John's church, a large choir, assembled to practice ancient hymns, had commenced to the noble tune Antioch,

"Joy to the world, the Lord has come,"
when they heard
"The rolling of his car,
The trampling of his steeds from far."

and rushed pell-mell into the street, when the ladies enjoyed a faintingbee, until the chorister, agile from long experience in the Barnes Hook and Leader company, jumped over- Ellis' fence, and made a point of turning the hose stream upon them. One gentleman remained in the church with his jaws expanded from which the "world" had just issued and watched with dazed eyes the jib performed by a kerosene lamp over his head until the shock was over. One little boy became sea-sick on short notice, another seized his little overcoat, and wrapping it around the baby deposited the snug sleeper on the undulating sidewalk. Many clocks stopped at the same moment that the door bells commenced to ringing. One young lady was met rushing wildly along the sidewalk near the public square, carrying her hat and cloak in hand. We might multiply incidents indefinitely, but these are enough to show that our citizens were somewhat excited by the shake.

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 from by the irresistible force, their intertwining branches rustling with the agitation as if shaken by some giant hand, while the earth appeared to be moved by the passage of an 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 change 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.

THE CAUSE

of earthquakes is defined by Mr. R. Mallet, who has made the matter a subject of much thought and research to be "a wave of elastic compression, produced either by the sudden flexure and constraint of the elastic materials forming a portion of the earth's crust, or by the sudden relief of this con- straint by the withdrawal of the force, or by their giving way and becoming fractured." The theory that the center of the earth is a molten mass subject to constant agitation, affords the most reasonable solution of the cause of earthquakes. Prof. Rogers attributes the movement to a pulsation engendered in the molten matter, giving vent to elastic vapors, escaping either to the surface or into cavernous spaces beneath. That the electric current which pervades the earth, the subtle fluid of which so little is known, should vary or respond in some degree to the changes that occur at the time, is not surprising; but it does not conflict with the theory or afford material upon which to base another recognizing it as the primary agent or cause of these convulsions of nature.

HOW WE FEEL ABOUT IT.

These instances of the effects of convulsions of the earth ranging through eighteen centuries, are not cited to create alarm, but to familiarize the mind with the phenomena in its various forms and shapes. Taking the length of time into consideration, the mortality from this cause is insignificant compared with the many other casualties to which humanity is liable. More lives have been destroyed by war or the ravages of prevailing epidemics, and more property by fire in a single decade, than by all the earthquakes that have occurred during the Christian era. We daily pass through dangers without realizing their presence. The wide-spread nature of the recent shake- up would appear to indicate that there is no cause for apprehension of danger from local causes. There is scarcely a day that passes but what there is a sensible distur- bance somewhere of the earth's surface. A large proportion of these shocks pass unnoticed, and it is safe to infer that many even occur that are attributed to other causes than their true origin. Only those that have been attended with great devasta- tion are chronicled, and their effects lose nothing by narration or the lapse of time that has intervened. Our advice to all is: Rest contented. There is no more danger now than has existed from time immemorial and the mortality record would appear to indi- cate there is really less. Cultivate amicable relations with your neighbors, keep the conscience clear, and trust in Him who holds the waters of the earth in the hollow of his hand and who has promised that not a swallow shall fall to the ground with- out His knowledge, and all will be well in time and eternity.

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ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
Oysterville, Wn.


Data Source             Date 	          	Code        Remarks


The Weekly Echo December 19, 1872 - See under Olympia, Weekly Echo December 19, 1872. Item beginning "On Saturday evening last is preceded by line "Earthquake,".Report pertains to Olympia. Oysterville dispatch is a separate event occurring on December 10 at 10:30 P.M.
*Morning Oregonian December 21, 1872 Same appears in The Weekly Echo, December 19, 18 7 2 .
*Olympia Transcript December 21, 1872 Same appears in The Weekly Echo, December 19, 1872.
*The Oregonian December 21, 1872 Same appears in The Weekly Echo, December 19, 1872.

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.




OYSTERVILLE, WT
The Weekly Echo
December 19, 1872
Olympia, WT

Weston Geophysical Research Note: *Remaining Description Pertinent to Olympia

We learn by private letter from a gentlemen in Oysterville, that Pacific county was considerably shaken up by an earthquake on Tuesday night, December 10. The shock commenced at 10:30 lasting about 10 seconds, the vibration being north and south. No damage done, but the people were somewhat scared.

On Saturday evening, last, at twenty minutes to eleven o'clock, our citizens were surprised and startled by an earth- quake that shook the buildings until everything rattled and creaked and strained like a ship in a cyclone. The night was clear and frosty, the thermometer indicating 27°, the moon shining brightly. Its coming was not announced by any supernatural sound said to frequently proceed them, but a deep, rumbling noise, like a heavy wind storm rushing through the forest, commenced about 10 seconds after the first jar was experienced and continued to its close and left a profound impress, a feeling of awe, on the minds of all. The shock lasted quite two minutes, the vibrations lacing from the south east and northwest. It began and ceased with a light movement, but during the time two shocks were very sharp. A variety of sensations were experienced, a disagreeable one being like a nausea or sea sickness, while all things human appeared to dwindle into insignificance when compared to the mighty throes of the earth. A few moments after the subsidence of the first heavy shocks, two light ones were felt; lighter ones were also felt at 12 o'clock, I and 5, making ten distinct shocks during the night. No damage was done, but many laughable incidents transpired that is not the province of this article to speak of. To the northwest it. was felt equally as severe, as far as we can learn. At Steilacoom, Puyallup, Seattle, Port Madison, Port Gamble, Port Townsend and Victoria, also on the main land of British Columbia, until lost in the uninhabitable wilds of the north. It was an unwelcome visitor at the southward, remembering Kalama, Portland and several places up the valley slightly. Cascades, the Dalles, Umatilla, Wallula, Walla Walla and other places beyond the mountains; in no case was damage done. The time from the south and southeast seems to have been a little in advance of the first shock here, together with other evidence, seems to indicate that it came from that direction, perhaps from the volcanic region of the Rocky Mountains. This earthquake appears to be exclusively ours at the north, California claiming no interest in it whatever, it not extending much towards the southward. While no harm was the result, further than fright, a repetition of the experience is not desirable.