THE EARTHQUAKE OF MAY 26, 1909 159 
but there is a suggestion that they were noted in Waukegan, where the 
sidewalks were seen to “heave.” A high bridge near Dubuque, fa., 
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 phenomena 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 (38), 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 River. 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- 
