The California Earthquake.
Heavy Damages—Public Buildings Injured—Great Loss at Santa Cruz—A General Smash Up—Eleven Shocks Felt.
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 9.—The damage by the earthquake yesterday amounts to considerable in the aggregate, many houses needing patches or new plastering, and broken windows repairs. The City Hall is damaged to such an extent that a portion must be rebuilt at the cost of several thousand dollars. The old Merchants' Exchange building, opposite the Custom House, will probably require rebuilding. No really substantial, well constructed building was seriously damaged. Santa Cruz felt the shock more severely than any other town of the State. Several brick houses were so badly damaged that partial reconstruction is necessary. A despatch from there says there was a general tumble down of chimneys. Those left standing were turned partially around by the motion apparently from east to west. The ground along the river opened in fissures and spouted water like geysers. People are unable to use some of the wells, which are either dry or filled with sand. The chimney at the powder mill was thrown down and other injury done to the works. A portion of the wall of the new hotel was thrown down, but the foundation is all right. The smash in drug stores was great, and also in other stores. Some very narrow escapes from falling chimneys are mentioned. The tide rose very high at the time of the shock and fell very low immediately afterward. There have been eleven distinct shocks felt since the first shock up to five o'clock this morning; also, a number of smaller visitations. The losses are estimated at about ten thousand dollars, but may exceed that amount.—Chicago Tribune.