USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Los Angeles County, California, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, residences, fine blocks and manufactories > Part 17
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22, 1850, we find the following order entered on the minutes of the Court of Sessions :-
"Ordered, that iu addition to the existing regulations, whether pos- itive or customary for the government of the Judges of the Plains, the following rules «hall be observed:
First-The Judges of the Plains shall hold their offire for the term of one year, commencing on the first day of Jaunary of each year. In case of a vacancy from any canse, the same shall be filled by this Court at its next regular term, or by the County Judge.
Second-For the residne of the present year the Judges now iu office slrall continue to hold the same, being paid eacb for his services at the rate of one hundred dollars per annum, payable ont of the ('ouuty Treasury.
Third -For neglect or refusal by any such Judge to perform any duty under the laws and regulations pertaining to his office, and satisfactory proof thereof being made to the Court of "casions, he may be suspended from office, or such sum may be deducted from his compensation, as tbe Court may judge proper.
Fourth-When any part of the plains shall he discovered to be on fire by any such Judge, or notice thereof shall be given him by any person, it shall be his duty iu any town where sueb fire may he, to repair to the spot where the fire is, and summon immediately a suffi- cient number of the population of such town to aid him in the extinguisliment of the firc.
l'ifth-Every person who purchases cattle for the purpose of being butchered within the limits of this county, shall either have a certifi- cate of sale from the owner thereof, or procure tbe legul tento to be put upon such cattle by the owner thereof.
Sixth-Every person, before butchering cattle within the limits of the conuty for the purpose of selling again, shall give notice of his intention to do so to the nearest Judge of the l'lains, who shall examiuc the brand or iron of the same, and if the same shall be found not to be vented, or uo certificate of sale be produced to sucb Judge, such Judge shall give immediate information thereof to the person whose iron aucb cattle hears.
Seventh-All horses, mares and mules, when sold, must, by law, be vented by the raiser thereof, or a certificate of sale accompany such sale.
Eighth-The following persons are the recognized Judges of tbe Plains, for the residue of the present year, to wit :-
For Los Angeles Town-Pedro Lopez, Maledonia Aguilar, Juan Maria Olevera, Juan Ramirez, Felipe Lugo.
For San Gabriel Town-Vincente Lugo, Ysidro Alvarado, Ricardo Baker.
For San Bernardino Town-Jose Maria Lugo.
For San Juan Capistrano Town-Juan Avila.
Ninth-Every person wbo violates Article Fifth, shall pay into the County Treasury the sum of ten dollars for each offense, to be recovered before any Justice of the Peace of the proper town.
Tenth-Every person who violates Article Sixth shall pay into the County Treasury the sum of twenty dollars for each offense, to be recovered before any Justice of the Peace of the proper town.
Under date June 21, 1856, we find the following in the Los Angeles Star :-
JUDGES OF THE PLAINS.
The Board of Supervisors, at their last meeting, appointed the fol- lowing gentlemen Judges of the Plains for the term of one year from date :-
Abel Stearns, for county at large.
Felipe Lugo, for the Rancho of the Mesa.
Francisco Rodriguez, Rancho of the Alamitas.
Juan Maria Sepulveda, Rancho of Cienega.
Julian Charvis, Pueblo of Los Angeles.
Ignacio Pulomares, Raucho of San Jose.
Ramon Yharra, Rancho of Puente.
Bias Aguilar and Juan Abila, for the Township of San Juan Capis- trano.
Pedro Lopez, Precinct of San Fernando.
Cyrus Lyon, Rancho Cahnenga. Manuel Feliz, Township of Santa Ana.
Ysidro Alvarado, Rancho Los Coyotes.
Edwardo Pulloreno, Rancho San Gertrudles.
Macedonia Aguilar, Rancho of the Balluna.
Jose Rici. Rancho of l'erritos. Agustin Machado, Pueblo of Lus Angeles.
Alexander Gody, Fort Tejon and the Sebastian Reservation. James Reid, the Ranchos uf Lake Elizabeth.
William M. Stucktou, the Mission of San Gabriel Township. M. Whistler, the Monte.
Henry Dalton, the Rancho .Azusa.
Vicente de la Oss, Rancho of Eucino.
The first really complete record of election in Los Angeles county, now in existence, is that of September 5, 1855. Prior to that time, aml at intervals since, the records are so very incomplete that it has been with great ilithiculty and at an outlay of much time and labor, we have succeeded in making the annexed lists of the several officers who have filled the various elective offices of the county, from the organization thereof, down to the present time. We have, however, the satisfaction of believing that said lists are absolutely correct, which we count a sufficient reward for the toil expended npon them :-
DISTRICT JUDGE.
1850-52. 0. 8. Wetherby .* 1868-71. Murray Morrison.+ 1853-63. Benj. Hays. 1872 73. R. M. Widney.
1864-68. Pablo de la Guerra. 1874-79. Y. Sepulveda.#
*Appointed by a joint vote of the Legislature, at its first session, in 1859, Court opened June 5, 1850. +Died December 18, 1871. #January 1, 1880, this Court was succeeded by the Superior Court, Y. Sepulveda and V. E. Howard elected Judges.
COUNTY JUDGE.
1850-53. Agustin Olvera. 1870-73. Y. Sepulveda.
1854. Myron Norton. 1874-77. 11. K. S. O'Melveny.
1855. K. H. Dimmick. 1878-79. A. M. Stephens .;
1856-69. Win. G. Dryden .*
*Died September 10, 1869, A. J. King appointed to fill vacancy. #January 1, 1880, this Court was succeeded by the Superior Court, Y. Sepulveda and V. E. Howard elected Judges.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
1850-51. Wm. C. Ferrell. 1864-67. Volney E. Howard.
1832. Isaac S. K. Ogier. 1868-69. A. B. Chapman.
1853. K. H. Dimmick. 1870-73. C. E. Thom.
1854. Benj. S. Eaton. 1874-75. Volney E. Howard.
1855-57. C. E. Thom.
1876-77. Rodney Hudson.
1858-59. Ezra Drown.
1878-79, C. E. Thom.
1860-61. E. J. C. Kewen.
1880.
Thos. B. Brown.
1862-63. Ezra Drown.
SHERIFF.
1850. Geo. T. Burrill. 1857. Jas. R. Barton.+
1851-55. James R. Barton. 1858. Wm. C. Getman .*
1856. D. W. Alexander .* IS59. Jas. Thompson.
-
RESIDENCE OF A.W. POTTS, COR. HILL AND COURT ST'S., LOS ANGELES, CAL.
.
PUBLISHED BY THOMPSON & WIST
C.L. SMITH & CO LITH OAKLAND CAL
51
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
1860-67. Thos. A. Sanchez. 1876-77. 1). W. Alexander.
1868-71. Jas. F. Burns. 1878 79. 11. M Mitchell.
1872 75. W. R. Rowland. 1880. W. R. Rowland.
*lesigued. C. E. llale appointed to fill vacancy, August, 1856. +Mlur- dered January 23, 1857. E. Bettis appointed to fill vacancy. ¿ Mur- dered January 7, 1858, James Thompson appointed to fill vacancy.
COUNTY CLERK.
1850 51. R. D. Wilson. 1860-63. John W. Shore.
1852 53. Wilson W. Jones.
1864 71 Thos. D. Mott
1854-57. John W. Shore. 1872 80. A. W. Potty.
1858 59. Chas. R. Johnson. 1880. A W. Potts.
COUNTY TREASUREIt.
1850 51. Mamel Garfins. 18GG 69. 1. Huber, dr.
1852-53. Francis Melhus.
1870 75. T. E. Rowan.
1854-55. Timothy Foster. 1876 77. E. P. V. Temple.
1856 59. II. N. Alexander. 1878 79. E. Hewitt.
1860-65. M. Kremer.
1880.
Milton Lindley.
COUNTY RECORDER.
1850-51. Ignacio del Valle. 1874 75. J. W. Gillitt.
1852-73. County Clerk (e ... 1876 79. Chas. E. Miles.
officio). 1880. (: (: Lamb.
COUNTY AUDITOR.
1850 75. County Clerk (or- 1876-79. A. K. Sepulveda. officio). 1880. B. A. Yorba.
1876. (: W. Gould .* *Died in June, 1856, A. E. Sepulveda appointed to fill vacancy. COUNTY ASSESSOR.
1850-56. A. F. Coronel. 1866-67. J. Q. A. Stanley.
1857-58. Junn Sepulveda. 18G8-69. M. F. Coronel.
1859-61. W. W. Maxy .* 1870-75. D. Botiller.
1862. J. McManus. 1876 79. A. W. Ryan.
1863 65. 0. 1 .. Mix.
1880.
J. W. Venable.
*Resigned March 2, 1861, Geo. W. Gift appointed to fill vacancy.
COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR.
1850-75. Sheriff (er-onficio). 1880. W'm. B. Cullen. 1876-79. M. Kremer.
COUNTY ATTORNEY.
1850 51. Benj. Hays. 1854-80. Dist. Attorney (er- 1852-53. lewis Granger. officio).
COUNTY SURVEYOR.
1850-51. J. R. Conway. 1864-69. Geo. llanson.
1852 57. 11. Hancock. 1870-73. F. Leconvreur.
1858-59. Wm. Moore. 1874-75. L. Seebold.
1860-61. E. Iladley. 1876-77. T. J. Ellis.
1862. W'in. Moore .* 1878-79. John E. Jackson.
1863. W. M. Lighton.
1880. E. T. Wright.
*Resigned. J. G. McDonald appointed to fill vacancy.
COI'STY CORONER.
1850-51. Alphens P lolges . 1862 65. J. § Grittin.
1852. Rafael Guirado. 1866-67. J. L. Smith.
1553.
J. S. Mallard.
ISGS 69. V. Grleich.
1854-55. 'T Maves 1870 73. J Kurtz.
1856.
Q. A. Shradl.
1$74 75. N. P. Richardson.
1857
.1. B. Winston.+
1576 77 .1. Kurtz
1875.
A look.
1878 79. J Hannon.
1859. Henry R. Miles.
II Nadean.
1860-61. 11. 1'. Swain.
*At the first county election held April 1, 1850, Charles B. C'ullen way elected; but failing to qualify, Alphens P'. Hodges was appointed by the Court of Sessions to fill the vacancy. A question arising i to the legality of said appointment, the Legislature was petitioned by the Court 1181) to pass a law legalizing the same, and all arts performed thereunder, which was done.
1Succeeded by A. Cook, February 14, 1857.
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR.
1854 57. M. Keller. 1874 75. 11. M. Mitchell.
1858 65. Geo. C'arson.
1ST6 77. J. E. Gritlin.
1866-67. W. Wolfskill.
ISTS 70. 0. 0 lamb.
1868-69. John Zeyn.
1880.
.1 W. Potts.
1870 73. Gro, Carson.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
1830 55. A. F. Coronel.
1870-73. Wm. M. MeFadden.
1856.
1. F. Burns
1874 75. (. 11. Peck,
1857 -63. Co. Clerk fer-officio) 1876-75. T. A. Saxon.
1864 -65. A. B. Chapman. 1878 79. W. P. McDonall.
1880.
.1. W. Hinton.
1866 67. E. Birdsell.
1868 69. H. D. Barrows.
STATE SENATOR.
1850 -51. A. W. Hope. 1864 65. 11. Hamilton.
1852-53. Stephen C. Foster.
1866-69. P. Banning.
1854-55. Jas. P. MeFarland.
1870-73. B. D. Wilson.
1856-57. B. D. Wilson.
1874-77. C. W. Bush.
1858 59. C. E. Thom.
1878-79. Geo. H. Smith.
1860-61. Andres Pico.
1880.
J. P. West.
1862-63. J. R. Vineyard.
ASSEMBLYMEN.
1850. A. P. Crittenden, M. Martin.
1851. Abel Stearns, Andres Pico.
1852. I. del Valle, Audres Pico.
1853. James P. MeFarland, Jefferson Hunt.
1834.
C'has. E. Carr,
Edward Hunter.
1855. Francis Mellus, Wilson W. Jones.
1856. John G. Downey. J. L. Brent.
1857. J. L. Brent, Edward Hunter.
1858-59. Andres Pico, Henry Hancock.
1860.
J. J. Warner,
A. J. King.
1861.
Abel Stearns,
Murray Morrison.
1×62 .1. A Watson. Murray Morrison.
1$63.
J. A. Watson. E. 1. C. Kewen.
1$64 65. Ygnacio Sepulveda, E. J. C. Kewen. 1966 67 W H. Peterson. 11 (. Parish
19 69 A. Ellis.
1 .\ Watson.
1$70-71. M. F Coronel, R. C. Fryer
1572-73. T. D. Mott. A Ellis,
1874 75. 1 W. Venable, A Iligley
1576 77 J R. MeComel.
F. Lambourne.
J. B Iullowny.
ISTS T9. A Ellis,
I'M Greene.
R. F. del Valle.
COUNTY SI PERVISORS.º
From 1850 to 1552 the county affairs were administered by the Court of Sessions, composed of the County Judge mul two associate justices, 1.832. Jefferson Hunt, Julian Charvis, F. P. Temple, M Requena, S. Arlmickle.
18333. D W Alexander, La Cota, Q A. Sturgess, D. M. Thomas, B. D. Wilson J. S. White, S. (. Foster). D. W. Alexander, S. C. Foster, . Squilveda. C. Aguilar, S. S. Thompson ( A. Steurus, V'. Lautgo). 1855. J. G Downey, D. W. Alexander, A Olver, (. Aguilar, D. Lewis.
185G. 'T Burdick, J. Foster, A. Olvera, (. Aguilar, D. LAWIs.
1857
-
1. Scott, W. M. Stockton, R. C. Fryer, T. A
Sanchez, S. C. Foster.
1858. 6. C. Alexander, R. Emerson, T. A Sanchez, B. Guirado, S. C. Foster.
1859 (. C. Mexander, R. Emerson, T. A. Sanchez, 1i. Guiralo, - Hay wood.
ISGO. R. B. Moore, A. F. Coronel, C. Aguilar, G. Mlen, A. Stearns.
1861. B. D. Wilson, MI L. Goodman, J. L. Morris, .. C'harvis, F. W. Gibson ('T G. Barker). 1862-63. B. D. Wilson, C. Aguilar, I. L. Morris, Vincente Ingo, F. W. Gibson. 1804-65. R. D. Wilson, C. Aguilar, J. L. Morris, A. Ellis, P. Sichrel (M. Keller).
1866-67. J. G. Downey, M. Keller, E. H. Boyd, F. Signoret, E. Polloreno. 1868-69. J B. Winston, W. Woodworth, R. H. Mayes, II. Abila, A. Langenberger (H. Forsman ).
1870-71. J. B. Winston, W. Woodworth, R. 11. Mayes, II.
Abila, H. Forsman.
1872-73. H. Forsman, A. L. Bush, F. Machado, S. B. Cas-
well, F. Polomerez.
1874-75. G. Hinds, F. Machado, E. Evey, F. Polomerez, J.
MI. Griffith (G. Allen).
52
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
1876-77. G. Hinds, E. Evey G. Allen, J. C. Hannon. J. D).
Young (J. J. Morton, W. Il Spurgeon .
J. C. llamon, J. D Young, J. J. Morton, J. D. Ott,
1878.
(' Prager
1879.
J C. Harmon, J. D) Ott, ('. Prager, J. J. Morton, A. 11. Rogers.
1880. 3. 0. Hannon, C. Prager, R. Eagan, W F'. Cooper, A. H Rogers.
*The names inclosed thus ( ) ure of Supervisors not elected at the general county election, but who served at Home time during the year by appointment to fill vacancy, or otherwise.
CHAPTER XVIIL.
CLIMATE EARTHQUAKES WATER AND IRRIGATION.
(1771-[880.)
I'ride of Climate Not Perfect, Yet Excellent-A Chapter of Exceptions- Average Temperature -Cual Nights-Earthquake of [8]2- Droughts, 1827-8-9 - Droughta, 1514-5-6-Earthquake al 1835- Earthquake of 1557 - Mloud of 18GS-Karthquake off IN78 -Water and Irrigation-Rainfall Natural Streams > California "> River " Defined-Los Angeles River- San Gabriel River Santa Ana River-Artesian Wells.
THERE is one subject. upon which your true Californian never wearies of dilating : " the climate of his country. Be it in the ice-bound regions of the Sierras at mid-winter; be it in the mighty Mojave desert at mid-summer; be it amid the runbling earthquakes of the south, or the fogs and sand storms of the north, your informant, after mentioning all other advantages of this favored land will gravely finish the cata- logne by reminding you. " lad, it is the most glorious climate in the world!"
Far he it from this writer to disparage a climate which bas won the admiration of all travelers. Such were indeed a task from which the boldest iconoelast might well shrink; yet is he forced to maintain that perfection, rarely-if ever, exists upon this fair earth of ours; that the most lovely peach har- hors the gnawing worm; that upon the check of beauty are often found unsightly moles; that even Ellen itself was not free from the loathsome trail of the serpent.
If then some cherished theory of the kind reader shall be nudely shaken in these pages, let not the historian be blamed, sinee he is but the mouth-piece of the past, and relates what huth bern. Sitter it, that while he denies the existence of per- fectionin a world of imperfection, vet in all his many wandlerings, either over this continent or in foreign lands; whether on the banks of the Rhine, the borders of Lake Como, or the shores of Mediterranean, he knows no land more favored in this regard than the lovely valley of " The Angels."
Let it then be borne carefully in mind that this is a chapter
of criptions; and that while there exceptions " prove the rule," they do not in any sense constitute it. Because the reader finds here recordel, earthquakes and consequent loss of life, he must not think that the earth is ever quaking, or that walls are constantly tottering. Because he reads of burning suns and fearful droughts, by which the labor of the husbandman is turned to naught, and cattle are slain by thousands, he must not imagine that such scourges are of constant recurrence. Floods which overwhelin, and lightnings which strike, must all be recorded, yet are these but the ripples upon a glassy sen, which speedily resmues its wonted cahn.
Being nearly five hundred miles nearer to the tropics than is San Francisco, the sun shines here with an increased fervor, and the coldl fogs of the more northern latitude are much less frequent. In an essay published by the State Medical Society of California (1871-3), Dr. Widney remarks ;-
Jaly, Angust and September are the months of greatest heat, but the daily sea breeze and freqneut night fog- are constantly equalizing the temperature. The daily average at Wilmington, the sea-port of the county, is as shown by the records at Drum Barracks.
Jannary
56° 6'
February
56° 9'
March
.April ...
629
May
63º 5'
June ..
July
73º
2
Angust.
68°
September
86° 0
Oletober.
619 8'
November.
524 2"
December
61º 49'
Daily average for the year.
A peculiarity of this valley elimate is, that the nights are always cool, a woolen blanket for covering, never coming amiss. This results from the ocean breeze, which is said to blow inland fully three hundred days in every year, giving all trees, of whatever variety, a very decided pitch toward the east.
Prior to the advent of newspapers, we have little means of tracing the incidents of climatic change; and in fact, serious convulsions of Nature, involving loss of life, would find in all probability, but an indefinite record among the traditions of the Aborigines, who would surely accredit such to the agency of malignant spirits, or of witchcraft. We know that the present San Gabriel river was at first named " Rio de los Temblores' by the Spaniards, on account of the many earthquakes preva- lent in its neighborhood, and that the first mission was removed to its present site on this account, but even the exact year of such removal is a matter of doubt, nor do we know just when the first mission was destroyed. The first earthquake happen- ing in the county, of which any reliable record remains, was that of
DECEMBER 8, 1812. Not only was this the first earthquake
recorded, but it was also the most destructive (so far at least as Los Angeles county is concerned that has ever occurred in southern California. It happened unfortunately, while the church of San Juan Capistrano was crowded with worshipers, it being the feast of Lu Purissima -" The immaculate con- ception of the mother of God" The shock came during carly mass, ahout seven o'clock in the morning, and the massive roof, covered with carthen tiles, fell upon the multitude, killing thirty-six persous outright, and wounding several others. hu the search for the bodies next day, a woman and child were found buried beneath the ruins-alive and uninjured. Of course this was regarded as a miracle; and Nuestra Senora received dur credit for her kindly interposition in their behalf. By this same shock the tower of the church at San Buenventura was thrown out of the perpendicular, and had to be removed.
DECEMBER 21st of the same year, came another sovere shock which destroyed the church of La Purissima in Santa Barbara county, and occasionedl the removal of the mission to its present site. The church of San Luis Obispo was also badly damaged at this time, but not destroyed. A. small stream of water on the Rancho Las Posas was much vularged in volume, and so remains to this day. It is also related that an Ameri- can smuggler, lying off the shore near Santa Barbara, slipped her cable and was carried by a tidal wave far up an ordinarily dry canon, the receding water bringing her back again to her own proper element, without damage to either vessel or crew. This was a season of earthquakes, and it was estimated that not less than three hundred well-defined shoeks were expe- rienced throughout southern California, from December to March, inclusive.
The seasons of 1827-8-9, also 1844-5-6, are said to have been marked by terrible droughts. In 1847, there were abundant rains. A severe shock of earthquake was experienced in the latter year, but no damage resultel.
JULY 11, 1855, at 8:15 P. M., was felt the most violent shock of earthquake since 1812. Nearly every house in Los Angeles was more or less injured, and the frightened inhabi- tants thronged the streets in their night-clothes. Pendulum clocks were stopped, walls were riven from top to bottom-in some cases the opening being a foot wide. Goods were cast clown from the shelves of stores and badly damaged. The water in the city sonjas slopped over the banks, and the ground was seen to rise and fall in waves. At San Gabriel Mission, the church bells were thrown down, and the ground cracked open.
The fall of that year, was a time of great drought, and many cattle died in consequence. In December, ice formed half an inch in thickness, and many orange trees perishel.
On April 14 and May 2, 1836, distinct shocks of earth- quake were experieneul. The latter was the most severe
PUBLISHED BY THOMPSON & WEST.
EVERGREEN CEMETERY, LOS ANGELES, CAL. OWNED BY THE LOS ANGELES CEMETERY ASSOCIATION.
53
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
(lasting about two seconds) au occasioned considerable alarm. An explosion resembling the blasting of rocks, preceded the shock, the motion of which was from the north-west, causing the walls of dwellings to tremble quite perceptibly.
The first rain of this season (1856-7, was had on March 15th, and the suffering among cattle, prior thereto was very great. This was considered the dryest and most unhealthful wason the country had known for twenty years. Conghs and colds were very prevalent. For the first time, a record of the rain-fall was this year kept. by Dr. Winston, with the following result :-
November
0.907 inches
December. .0.595
=
0.945
=
Jaunary
0.310
=
February .
0.770)
March ..
2.340
,
April. .
Total for season. .5.867
The summer of 1856 was marked by intense heat. On August with (the hottest day), at noon, the thermometer regis- tered 1099 in the shade. Altogether, this season was some- thing of au nuomaly. Uuder date of August 9th, we read in the Star:
On Sunday evening, Angust 3d, we were visited by a thunder storm, accompanied by vivid inches of lightning. Heat lightning is common enough, but the broad sheet of tume, lighting up the land- Henge, such as experienced that night, was unprecedented. Thunder was never before heard here-so says "the oldest inhabitant." It is two years since rain fell in Angust.
And again November 224 :-
On Wednesday, November 19th. this Joeality was visited by a severe tempest. The dust and sand were lifted from the earth, and carried akunig in a continued cloud, obsenring everything from sight. All out. door business, and all travel on the roads was suspended. So thick was the cloud of sand, that from noon the ann became obscured. Team- sters could not keep the road. all efforts to guide their animals being Fruitless. Many of them could not find out even by groping on the ground, whether they were on the road or on the open plain. Teams along the rond came in contact, the drivers neither being able to see or hear the approach of each other. In many cases the mules were overthrown by the violence of the wind. Light wagons were tossed nside like corks. Houses were unroofed; sheds, stalls and stables were ruthlessly knocked about. The sand was deposited several feet deep on the pasture lauds, thus inflicting the severest calamity on the stock owners.
At. alwout half-past eight o'clock, on the morning of January 9, 1857, occurred one of the most memorable earthquakes ever experienced in the southern country. At Los Angeles the viloation lasted about two minutes, the motion being from north to south. Several houses were badly cracked, and an old man, nt that moment in the net of crossing the plaza, was thrown down, and so severely injured that he died shortly afterward.
The morning is represented to have been calm, clear and
cool, the sun shining brightly At first the motion was very gentle, but gradually increased in violence, until the homes were seen to rock from side to side as though about to topple over. Then the fearful ery of "earthquake " was raised, and the people, rushing into the streets, betaine at once demoralized with terror. Women and children shrieked, and strong men, falling upon their kuces. ejaculated hastily- framed prayers of most ludicrous construction. Horses, mukes and cattle tled wildly over the plains, or fell motionless in terror. Domestic fowls and birds flew wiblly about, tilling the air with their frightened cries. The Los Angeles river leaped from its bed, and washed over the adjacent land. A new bed was opened to the San Gabriel river, which divided its waters, making two streams of what was before but one. Several minor shocks succeeded this principal one.
At San Fernando two buildings were thrown down, and not far away a large stream flowed out from a mountain where hitherto no water had been, and a similar phenomenon was observed at Paredes, thirty-five miles south-east of Los Ange- les. In the vicinity of San Fernando a large fissure opened in the side of a high mountain, from which hot gas rushed forth, heating the neighboring rocks to such a degree that the hand could scarcely touch them. But it was in the vicinity of Fort Tejon that the full force of the shock exhausted itself. Here the ground opened for a distance of from thirty to forty miles, a chasm ten to twenty feet wide, extending from north-west to south-east, in an almost straight line; then closed again, leav- ing a ridge of pulverized earth several feet high, and in many places quite impassable. Large trees were broken off like pipe- stems, and cattle, grazing upon the hill-sides, rolled down the declivity in helpless fright. Here the buildings were all injured to such an extent that officers and soldiers were obliged to live in tents. At Reed's Ranch, not far away, a woman was killed by the fall of her house. There were no other casualties reported. Several minor shocks were felt during the spring mouths, but these occasioned no damage.
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