46 EDWARD M. SHEPARD 



M. L. Fuller, under whose general direction the study of the artesian 

 waters was conducted. The trips presented numerous opportu- 

 nities for the observation of earthquake phenomena, often still 

 clearly visible, and for studying their possible connection with artesian- 

 water conditions. It is with a view to calling attention to this rela- 

 tion that the present paper is prepared. 



PHENOMENA OF THE EARTHQUAKE 



All writers on this subject refer to the earthquake as having been 

 widespread in the then thinly settled region of the Mississippi basin, 

 and express surprise at the exhibition of such violent phenomena 

 occurring so far from the seacoast or volcanoes, and so distant from 

 regions where the earth's crust is known to be in an unstable con- 

 dition. 



Description of the earthquake. — The circumstance of the earth- 

 quake has been graphically described by various observers, and an 

 excellent collection of statements in regard to it has been published 

 by Dr. G. C. Broadhead. 1 In order that the phenomena may be 

 more vividly recalled by all, we quote from these extracts: 



A letter from L. Bringier, which had been published in the American Journal 

 of Science, Vol. .Ill, 1821, states that the shock was felt for 200 miles around. 

 There seemed to be a blowing out of the earth, bringing up coal, wood, sand, etc., 

 accompanied with a roaring and whistling produced by the impetuosity of the air 

 escaping from its confinement, which seemed to increase the horrid disorder of 

 trees being blown up, cracked, and split, and falling by thousands at a time. 

 The surface settled, and a black liquid rose to the belly of the horses, which stood 

 motionless, struck with panic. Afterward the whole surface remained covered 

 with holes, which resembled so many craters of volcanoes, surrounded with a ring 

 of carbonized wood, and sand which rose for about 7 feet. A few months after, 

 these were sounded and found to exceed 20 feet in depth. Now it is covered 

 with ponds and sand hills or monticules, which are found where the earth was 

 formerly lowest. There seemed to be a tendency to carbonization in all vege- 

 tables soaking in the ponds, produced by these eruptions. A lake was produced 

 27 miles west of the Mississippi, with trees standing in the water 30 feet deep. 



Another interesting account 2 of the earthquake is given by God- 

 frey LeSieur, an old inhabitant of New Madrid County. He says 

 that — 



1 American Geologist, August, 1902. 



2 Switzler, History of Missouri, and Campbell, Gazetteer 0} Missouri. 



