Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-03-26
NEWS or THE DAY.

EARTHQUAKE IN San Francisco, CALIFOR-
NIA.-On the 18th of Feb. last, about day
break, the residents of San Francisco were
aroused by Il most violent shock of an earth
quake which was felt in every portion of the
town. The vibration appeared from n. E. to
S. W, and not a single building escaped the
terrible shock. The first movement Of the
earth was very sudden, and the buildings
swayed to and fro heavily afterwards, and
finally the vibrations were short and rapid.
The direction of the shock was very fortunate;
as, had it been in q direction parallel with
the streets either way, it's effect would have
been more disastrous.
The occupants of large brick hotels and
boarding houses were terribly frightened,
and rushed wildly ito the street for safety.
The men, women and children were seen
rushing through the halls in their night
clothes, seeking safety from the supposeddan-
ger.
The vibrations were attended with a heavy
report resembling the discharge of a distant
artillery, but was continuous and produced
a deep, low rumbling sound.
The markets had just opened, and those
within left their stalls u~ntenanted, to seek a
refuge in the open streets.
1t seemed as though every dog in town set
up q hideous yell after the convulsion.
The shock was felt by the vessels lying in
the harbor and the waters of the bay were
much affected and agitated.
At San Antonio, and other places over the
bay, the shock is represented as having been
very severe.
The great feature of damage has been the
cracking Of plastered walls, andthish has been
very general. We have heard of some cases
where brick walls have been seriously injur-
ed, so much so that the hand could be thrust
into the cracks.
Many persons who are occupying rooms
in large brick buildings have taken Temporal
ry quarters in wooden tenements, fearing
that another shock may follow within a day
or two, in accordance with the tradition Of
the old Californians.
DESPERATE AFFRAY!-oNE A KILLED AMI
TWO wouNDED.-Our usually quiet Town was
the scene of q bloody ARRAY on Sunday night
in which Robert Childrey was killed anC
George S. Butt and Thaddeus Butt were
wounded. 1t seems that a strong feeling O
animositv had for some time existed between
Childrey and the youngButts, (~hisstep-sons.
because of alleged maltreatment Of then
mother, the wife of Childrey. The parties
= met at the corner in front of John NJ. Mathews
store on Sunday night. High words arose
when a general melee cnsued, in which Child
{ rev received Il wound in the leg made by
= knife, from the effects of which he bled t.
/, death in the course of u short time Georgj
S. Butt received u terrible knife wound IL
the arm, through and through, and Thaddeu
Butt received q slight pistol-shot wound o.
the right side. The wound which prove,
fatal to Childrey, was inflicted by a knife
which opened the artery in the rear of til
IS lee, lust below the knee. The wound {
d George S. Butt, though severe, is not consit
: cred dangerous, and no doubts are entertain
; ed Of his recovery.
g Both the young Butts were arrested We
IS terday morning, and at the time of putin
a our paper to press last evening were unde
going an examination before a called Cou
% Of Magistrates.-Eiiz city Pioneer.
Burning of the Ferry Boat New Jerse
THIRTY LIVES LOST!
PHILADELPHIA March 16.-About ha
! mast nine o'clock last night, the ferry DO
New jersey" while crossing the Delwa
G. to Camden, took fire in the middle of t
' stream, and, after great difficulty, in cons
es ouence of floating ice, ran upon the bar c
lis posite Arch street. There were about l
to passengers on board; many jumped into t
Il river and were rescued by boats, after CHI
ny inc some time to pieces Of floating ice. 1t
ma asserted that over thirty passengers we
CHI drowned and burnt, but so great was I
w. confusion that it was impossible to gait
.tb authentic details. The boat was burned
20 the waters edge. When her distress v
lie first perceived, several steamers immedlat
went to her assistance, arriving too late to
of use, as the passengers who We're IN
re, water had nearly all been rescued by
in small boats. Thus, within the space OF
49, week have we been called upon to chronl
four fatal and heart-rending calamitles.
at PHILADELPHIA, March 20. Three m
bodies of victims of the late steamboat dis