three o'clock on March 5, 1850
`` No . '' He gently picked up a little local guidebook that lay in my lap , and turning its leaves , pointed to a page , and read as follows : -- `` 5 M. beyond , the train passes a curve R. , where a fine view of the lake may be seen . A little to the R. rises the steep slopes of the -- , the scene of a terrible disaster . At three o'clock on March 5 , 1850 , the little village of -- , lying midway of the slope , with its population of 950 souls , was completely destroyed by a landslip from the top of the mountain . So sudden was the catastrophe that not a single escape is recorded . A large portion of the mountain crest , as will be observed when it is seen in profile , descended to the valley , burying the unfortunate village to a depth variously estimated at from 1000 ft. to 1800 ft. The geological causes which produced this extraordinary displacement have been fully discussed , but the greater evidence points to the theory of subterranean glaciers . 5 M. beyond -- the train crosses the R. bridge . ''