Heritage \ Writings \ Disasters

Earth Quake of 1935

Contributed by Clarence and Gladys Stroemer (September 2003)

Bay City Times - November 1, 1935 BAY CITYANS FEEL 2 DISTINCT SHOCKS Tremors Awaken Scores; No Loss Is Reported In spite of the assurance of scientists for years that this section of the country would never experience an earthquake, Bay City today knows that it has. In company with communities in 17 other states, from Montana to the eastern sea-board, this city last night experienced two small, but decided tremors. No damage was reported. As near as can be determined from the statements of hundreds of householders who were wakened from their sleep by the tremors, the quake came in two “shots” shortly after 1 o’clock this morning. In addition to the evidence supplied by far-distant seismographs that this section felt the trembling in the earth’s surface, the quake is testified to be hundreds of Bay Cityans. To most citizens the earthquake came in the form of a sudden, pronounced shaking of their beds, though some in older houses reported the walls of their homes joined in the gentle rocking. Although last night’s tremors were sufficient to awaken many from their sleep, they were apparently too gentle to do any damage. The tremors were reported by Homer E. Buck, postmaster, to have put out of service the telephone at the Munger postoffice. Buck also said he and Mrs. Buck noticed the shaking of their residence. Police List Tremor. Mrs. J.E. Martindale, Young apartments, and Thomas L. Donnelly, Saginaw district highway engineer, both told The Times of tremors which shook their rooms. Harry F. Chapin, 2167 Fifth avenue, said he was awakened by the trembling of the bed and saw articles on the walls of his room sway. Police Detective Carl Schultz related how a light on a long cord in his room swung to and fro. The night crew at the police station entered the tremor on the “blotter” at 1:10 o’clock and the night operator at the fire headquarters reported a distinct shaking at the headquarters. Attendants at Samaritan hospital reported a dining room table moved under the shock. At General hospital patients were reported to have been momentarily frightened and at Mercy hospital lights were said to have been turned on in patients’ rooms to reassure those confined there. Mistaken for Burglar. Officials of the city light department and Consumers Power company reported no damage or cessation of service from the shocks. The Michigan Bell Telephone company reported no line trouble as a result of the earthquake, though night operators said their boards shook considerably.