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EARTHQUAKES ON THE PACIFIC COAST 163 



in the town shows effects of the shock, which lasted about eight 

 seconds. The temblor was a series of vicious twisters. Pickett's 

 residence and wine cellar at the outskirts of the town were badly 

 damaged, the interior of the house presenting a scene of desola- 

 tion. On S. F. Ringstrom's farm a large chimney fell. Several 

 chimneys in town were also overthrown, but fortunately no one 

 has been injured. Eeports from all over the valley show more or 

 less damage. On the Polpula ranch, which contains a number 

 of warm-water springs, the earthquake caused the water to gush 

 forth in perfect torrents. The first shock of the evening was 

 slight and felt at 9.15. Then came the heavy one, after which, at 

 intervals of an hour or so, there were eight or ten other shocks. 

 More or less damage was done to every building in Sonoma "Val- 

 ley (VIII). 



1891. Petaluma, October 11. 



At twenty-five minutes past 10 the heaviest earthquake shock since 

 1868 passed through Petaluma. Door-bells were rung and some 

 plastering badly cracked. The heavy shock was preceded a few 

 minutes by a light one, and after it came six or seven other 

 shocks, the last one being at 5 o'clock this morning. Many 

 people were kept awake most of the night. The main shock 

 lasted fully nine seconds (VII). 



1891. Napa, October 11. 



The heaviest shock ever felt here was experienced at 10.34 o'clock. 

 The people rushed out into the streets greatly frightened, and 

 the whole town was in commotion. The shock was especially 

 heavy at the insane asylum, and the inmates were almost uncon- 

 trollable. 



The first shock came at 9.16, but it was light. At 10.29 came the 

 heavy shock, which lasted forty-six seconds. It was a twisting 

 motion from right to left. Some people fainted, and all were 

 greatly exercised, but no fatalities are reported. Lighter shocks 

 followed during the entire night. Some say there were twelve 

 shakes, while others profess to have counted as high as seven- 

 teen. Some people remained in the street all night, and others 

 did not sleep for fear of a repetition of the dread sensation. 

 The damage will not be very heavy on any one building, but in 

 the aggregate is considerable. Scores of chimneys are thrown 

 down or turned three-fourths around. Many brick buildings are 

 badly cracked, and the wall decorations in most of the fine 

 houses are badly damaged, while nearly every house had some 

 bric-a-brac and crockery destroyed. The insane asylum reports 

 some damage to the walls and tower, but nothing serious (VIII). 



1891. St. Helena, October 11. 



The heaviest earthquake shock ever experienced here occurred at 

 10.30 o'clock. Houses shook, crockery rattled, and clocks stopped. 



