THE EARTHQUAKE OF MAY 26, 1909 159 



but there is a suggestion that they were rioted in Waukegan, where the 

 sidewalks were seen to " heave." A high bridge near Dubuque, la., 

 and some old buildings in Plattsville, in Wisconsin, were seen to 

 " sway." But motions of such structures, as well as motions of smaller 

 objects, indoors and outdoors, are merely the effects of the earth's 

 motion and not a part of the earthquake itself. It is unnecessary to 

 enumerate them here. 



Another classification of the earthquake jahenomena takes into con- 

 sideration the different objects giving evidence of the seismic motion 

 and the terms used by the observers in stating how these objects were 

 affected. It presents simultaneously in this case, a study in journalistic 

 diction and in mechanics. Forty reports relate the varied behavior of 

 buildings and houses. These are said to have shaken (17), rocked 

 (7), trembled (4), swayed (3), cracked (3), to have been jarred (2), 

 to have quivered (2) and to have creaked and heaved, respectively in 

 as many cases as indicated by the inserted figures. Observations on 

 dishes, bottles and tinware are next in number. These mostly rattled 

 (15), or were broken (8). Some were dashed to the floor (6), others 

 merely fell (3), some were shaken (3), were moved (2), or they 

 rocked, trembled, wabbled and were disturbed. A crockery store in 

 Dubuque sustained a damage of some eight hundred dollars. The 

 words used in describing the motions of furniture present a turbulence 

 of performances of almost kaleidoscopic variety. Chairs, tables, beds, 

 bookcases, even sedate stoves shook (8), were moved (6), were over- 

 turned (3), swayed (2), quivered (2), trembled (2), broke, were up- 

 set, tipped over, threatened to tumble over, rattled, rolled back and 

 forth, rocked, heaved and " had the glass shattered." Windows and 

 doors rattled (12), and shook (3), and one door was "sprung so it 

 would not close." Hanging pictures and mirrors engaged in a variety 

 of diversions. Some swung (3), some were shaken from the walls (3) 

 and some were thrown from their fastenings. One mirror " trembled 

 on the wall," and another " fell from the wall." One is said to have 

 " jumped around " and one was " demolished." Light fixtures and 

 lamps swayed (4), heaved, shook, were shaken from their rests, were 

 overturned, fell and broke, or were knocked down, and one gas flame 

 was "shaken out." Chimneys fell (4), toppled over (2), were razed, 

 shaken down and cracked. Water and milk in tumblers and pans were 

 spilled (5) and tippled. At Sabula a wave was thrown up against the 

 bank of the Mississippi Eiver. Bric-a-brac was shaken off, tipped off 

 and thrown down from mantles (6) or simply fell to the floor. Four 

 clocks were stopped. Heavy machinery rattled or " shook in good 

 shape." An elevator swayed and some linotype machines swayed 

 violently. Telephone wires were seen to sway, a telephone receiver was 

 knocked off its hook, and a telephone instrument was " put out of com- 

 mission." Other public utilities suffered serious damage, several thou- 



