EAKTHQUAKES ON THE PACIFIC COAST 79 



each other in rapid succession, lasting- from ten to fifteen seconds. 

 Light shocks for four hours afterwards. — Petaluma Journal and 

 Argus, October 22, 1868. 



1868, October 21, Sacramento. Severe earthquake. The water of 

 the river receded, and in a short time returned in a wave at least 

 two feet in height. — Sacramento Bee, October 21, 1868. 



1868, October 21, Santa Cruz Mountains, near Pescadero. (ireat 

 damage done to the redwood trees. Limbs fell to the ground, and 

 large pieces of rock rolled down the mountains. It is said that 

 the waters of Pescadero Creek became muddy in a moment, and 

 that the surface was covered with bubbles, which biirst with a 

 slight report and a small flame when a match was applied to 

 them. — Grass Yalley Union, October 29, 1868. 



1868, October 21. See brief report on the cause and effect, by the 

 committee of merchants in San Francisco Chamber of Commerce 

 report, 1870. See also Alta, December 1, 1868. 



1868, October 21; about 8 a. m., in San Francisco. Killed five persons 

 by throwing loose bricks from the tops of buildings upon them, 

 and no person w^as severely injured in a house. The better class 

 of structures was not damaged. A dozen brick buildings, w^ith 

 •weak foundations on made ground, were cracked, so as to be 

 untenable. — Hittell, Eistory of San Francisco, pp. 370-7. Hon, A. S. 

 Hallidie reports the interesting fact that the air was filled with 

 horizontal layers of smoke and dust with layers of clear air be- 

 tween. The appearance was striking. 



1868, October 21. Brick and concrete buildings in Pacheco were 

 destroj^ed. The shocks were severely felt throughout Contra 

 Costa County, except at Antioch. There no chimneys were thrown 

 down, nor were any walls cracked. — Pacheco, Contra Costa County, 

 Gazette, October 24, 1868. 



1868, October 21. Three heavy and distinct shocks were felt in 

 Nevada City. The most severe known up to this time. — Nevada 

 City Daily Transcript, October 22. 



1868, October 21. The shock was severe, or very severe, at Martinez, 

 Alameda, Alvarado, San Lorenzo, Haywards, ]\rare Island, Vallejo, 

 Redwood, Grass Vallejo (" quite a severe shock "), San Mateo, San 

 Jose, Gilroy, Santa Cruz, Healdsburg, Woodland (Yolo County), 

 Centerville, Stockton, San Rafael, Petaluma,- Santa Rosa, Contra 

 Costa County.— H. Ms. Yolo County. — B. Ms. 



1868, October 21. The shock was light at Marysville, Sonora, and 

 Amador Valley. — H. Ms. No shock was felt at Los Angeles, San 

 Diego, etc. — H. Ms. For a complete account of this shock in Ala- 

 meda County, see Halley, Centennial Book of Alameda County, 

 pp. 257-269. Articles on this earthquake may be found in the fol- 

 lowing places (from the Bancroft Ms.) : S. F. Times, October 22, 



