View South Across Cuddy Valley

"Two companies of U.S. troops, who had just arrived from New Mexico, were having their horses herded in Kern river valley. When the shock occurred, the men in charge were around their camp fires in the morning. It very unceremoniously tipped over their coffee pots, their camp kettles, and themselves also. Upon looking at the river, they were astonished to see Kern river running up stream. Large trees were uprooted, and in the language of some who were there, 'all creation seemed to be going into one eternal smash.' The water in Tulare Lake [in the Central Valley, now farmland] was upheaved to an unknown height, and large quantities of fish were thrown upon its banks, where they have remained. At the 'Mill,' some twelve miles west of Tejon [Mil Potrero], the shock was very heavy. It tore up large trees and twisted off branches, threw people on the ground, and when over, caused a general stampede for the Fort, upon the supposition, we suppose, that that place was 'safe as any,' and that 'misery loves company.' "