Data Source Date Code Remarks
Walla Walla States- December 21, 1872 A observations of man C.C. Cram.
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.
just down from Pen-a-wawa, Snake River, informs us
that the shock of the earthquake at that place
was very severe. A couple of young men, who have
established a trading post at Pen-a-wawa, were
asleep in their cabin at the time of the first
shock, and, thinking that Indians were about,
seized their guns, and rushed to the door.
Looking all around, and failing to see Indians,
they were at a loss to know what the rumpus meant.
Another shock, and the swaying of the wood pile
and they concluded that the Indians were trying
to overturn the wood, and so they discharged
their fire-arms, but still no Indians in sight.
They then went a short distance below, to Mr.
Cram's camp, and there learned that it was an
earthquake they had mistaken for an Indian
attack. Mr. Cram informs us that at Pen-a-wawa
seven distinct shocks were felt, and that the
force was so great as to throw dishes from the
shelves, and generally disarrange domestic ,
utensils. One man, who was resting on the ground,
said that it lifted him two feet in the air, and,
at the moment, confessed to being badly freight-
ened. The accounts that reach us seem to
indicate that the farther north, the greater the
severity of the earthquake. There is a report
that, up in the Spokane country, the earth opened,
and swallowed up a number of Indians and their
horses. This, doubtless, is an exaggeration,
but one thing is certain, the whole interior
basin had a rough shake.
____________________________________________________________ _____________
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 degrees, 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,
1 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.
____________________________________________________________ _____________
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.
*This is page 3 of 5 pages; the succeeding pages describe the events
in Olympia, only, and therefore, are not included in this folder.
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
270, 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,
1 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 u ' o 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.
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
4,
or the firing of artillery, sometimes
accompanies or proceeds the movements.
Territories
Puyallup Reservation, W. T., last Saturday
night the Siwash congregated by the ring-
ing of the bells and endeavored to allay the
territorial commotion by prayer and various
methods of mamooking closh tantum with the
Sakalie Tyee. The water in the river lashed
the banks in a manner frightful to the natives.
Mount Rainier was furiously smoking at
sunset on the 19th inst., as seen from
the Puyallup valley, W.T. On the 14th,
one shock of earthquake was felt and on
the 17th three shocks at the same place.
A friend telegraphs to the Olympia
Transcript that the chimney of Mr.
Baker's house in Stuck valley, Pierce
county, W.T., was thrown down by an
earthquake shock on the 10th inst.
On Thursday, the 22d in t, six shocks
occurred at noon. The thermometer
stood at 59
ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
Pine Grove, Washington
Data Source Date Code Remarks
Walla Walla Statesman December 21, 1872 A Similar description
appears as dispatch in
Idaho Signal, December
28, 1872, not included
in this compilation.
Additional Aftershock Report from Coombs et al, 1976 [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.
Pine Grove, W.T.
Dec. 15th, 1872
Walla Walla Statesman
Dec. 21, 1872
EDITOR STATESMAN:--At ten minutes to ten
o'clock, P.M., a terrible shock of earthquake
was felt at Pine Grove. It threw chickens
from their roosts, and caused large log houses
to oscillate like a ship in a storm on the
ocean. The shock was so terrific, that it
knocked most of my goods off my shelving,
breaking crockery ware, etc., in consequence of
which I am considerably out and injured.
However, I am thankful it was no worse.
Yours, W.L. MONTAGUE
____________________________________________________________ _____________
ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
Port Discovery, Washington
Data Source Date Code Remarks
Puget Sound Daily December 19, 1872 B not plotted
Courier
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.
Port Discovery, Washington
DAILY PUGET SOUND COURIER: Olympia, Washington
December 19, 1872
"...a lady in Port Discovery, sitting by her parlor table, was frightened
wonderfully, I finding one side of her rocking chair rising and
lowering several times in a few minutes.'
____________________________________________________________ _____________
ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
Port Gamble, Washington
Data Source Date Code Remarks
Daily Pacific Tribune December 16, 1872 A
*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.
Port Gamble, W. T.
Daily Pacific Tribune
Dec. 16, 1872 pg 2
Seattle, Washington
Down the Sound the sensations were much the same
as those experienced here. At Port Gamble things
were pretty well shaken up. The Teekalet Hotel
was so jarred and tilted from side to side as to
terrify the inmates, who rushed out of doors fear-
ing the building would fall and crush them. One lady
there from Olympia screamed at the top of her voice
and became incapable of helping herself. She got
half-way down the stair-case when her strength failed
her and she found herself unable either to get up or
down. The people were generally alarmed afraid to
sleep in their own houses, and many thinking it safer,
went down to the ships and steamers at the wharves
to spend the remainder of the night on board.
____________________________________________________________ _____________
ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
Port Madison, Washington
Data Source Date Code Remarks
The Weekly Echo December 19, 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.
Port Madison, Washington
The Weekly Echo
December 19, 1872
Olympia, 'WT
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.
ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
Port Townsend, Washington
Data Source Date Code Remarks
The Weekly Echo December 19, 1872 B
Washington Standard December 21, 1872 B
Oregonian December 27, 1872 B aftershock on 20 December
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 Weekly Echo
December 19, 1872
Olympia, WT
Port Townsend, Washington
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
270, 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 firs
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 and if 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.
Port Townsend, Washington
Washington Standard
December 21, 1872
Olympia, WT
Its Extent
See the Olympia folder for complete article.
Port Townsend, W. T.
Oregonian
December 27, 1872
Portland, Oregon
Port Townsend advises of the 20th report
another slight shock of an earthquake of
that date.
____________________________________________________________ _____________
ACCOUNTS EVALUATED
Puyallup, Washington
Data Source Date Code Remarks
Daily Pacific Tribune December 16, 1872 B
The Weekly Echo December 19, 1872 B
Washington Standard December 21, 1872 A
Oregonian December 23, 1872 A
The Dalles Mountaineer February 1,1873 B
*The Olympia Transcript February 1,1873 c See Weekly Intelligencer
Weekly Intelligencer February 3,1873 B aftershocks
Additional Info and Aftershock Reports from Coombs et al, 1976 [RSL 8/9/1999]
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.
The Puyallup, W. T.
Daily Pacific Tribune
Dec. 16, 1872 pg 2
Seattle, Washington
On the Puyallup, some thirty miles north, we
are informed, the shock was very heavy.
Puyallup, Washington
The Echo
December 19, 1872
Olympia, WT
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.
Washington Standard
December 21, 1872
Olympia, WT
Page 3
Puyallup, Washington
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.
Puyallup, W. T.
Oregonian
December 23, 1872 p. 1
Portland, Oregon
Puyallup, W. T.
The Dalles Mountaineer
Feb. 1, 1873, page 3
The Dalles, Oregon
The-Territories.
Puyallup, W. T.
Weekly Intelligencer
(Seattle) Feb. 3, 1873
(Monday), p 3
PUYALLUP VALLEY.---Earthquakes in the
Puyallup valley continue, and are almost of
daily occurrence. On the 16th, at 2:30 P.M.,
a shock was felt, which, it is stated, over-
threw a chimney on the house of a Mr. Baker,
living in Stuck Valley. On the 18th inst.,
four shocks were distinctly felt, and on the
night of the 19th two shocks were observed by
persons in various parts of the valley. On the
22nd, a series of vibrations were felt, begin-
ning at 12 o'clock and continuing nine minutes,
during which time six distinct shocks were
felt. The Messrs. Stone are earnestly pros-
ecuting the work of removing the obstructions to
navigation in the Puyallup river. As soon
as the river is opened, we understand that
some parties in the valley intend to get out and
ship, to some point on the Sound, cotton-wood
timber in the form of blocks or cord-wood, for
the San Francisco market, to be used as stave
material.---Steilacoom Express, Jan. 30th.