Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-02-22
Terrific Earthquake Excftement-
Panic at the Merchants Exchange.


From the San Francisco Morning Call. l0th,l
About three o'clock yesterday after
noon, q number of persons who had still
fingered in the rotunda of the Merchants
Exchange, reading. enjoying q talk, or
driving business, were thrown into the
widest commotion by what was gene
rally accepted as an earthquake, If the
general stampede that ensued could be
taken as q proof for such belief The
frat signal of alarm was given by
heavy fall-not q sudden, sharp or de-
cisivs fall, but one preceded and accom-
panied by rumbling, grating noise, as
il caused by the separation aud falling
of timbers. Every one in the building
was ct once seized with an earthquake
mania, and lifting their heads and
sharpening their sense Of hearing by q
searching upward glance, stood in silent
bewilderment. The noise continued,
and now and then heavy bang was
heard, produced, apparently, by falling
timbers. The phenomenon was accepted
as an earthquake in the fullest sense,
which BY sudden power had rent
asunder the beams on the roof, and which
it was thought had come tumbling down,
producing the strange and otherwise
unaccountable noise. Men who but q
few seconds before had been planning
for the next days business, and whose
anxiety was traceable on their coun-
tenances, now opened their eyes in va
cant establishment, and without waiting
to close matters, even temporarily, or
say goodbye" were rushing pell-mell
to the door, along the passage, and soon
found themselves on the street, gazing in
astonished bewilderment at the complete
and urdisturbed condition Of the build.
ing, which they expected to see crum-
bling to it's very foundation. People in
the saloon adjoining, in the stock bro
ker's chamber, in the restaurants and
Offices, were soon rushing through the
building, ell with long. pale faces, and
fearing to ask what had happened. Chi
namen Joined in the excitement, and be-
srsyed much uneesiness, lest their bones
should be so deeply buried as to make il
impossible TO recover them, or have them
transmitted 10 Canton. At last stento-
rian voice was heard crying out, Don't
runi" Keep quietl" mo harm douel"
mot an earthquskel" aud such pacify.
ing ordinations. In few moments be
was surrounded by 3 crowd, who felt
much relieved, BY his assurances, and Is
anxious to know the cause Of the excite
neut.
They we're told that the dreadful ter
rorism from which they had just escaped
was caused by the falling of windlass,
or hosting machine, in the upper story
Of the building, part of which fell through
q half dozen trap-doors. producing the
terrific " bang" " bang which had been
heard. This hosting machine was placed
on the upper story Of the building. The
axle, passing through the cylinder round
which the rope eoiled, rested at each end
on piece Of wool, each of which was
supported by two perpendicular beams
about twelve feet high, which reached
from the floor to the ceiling. When the
accident occurred, the frame Of the book
binding press was about being lowered
to the ground floor. Toe frame stood q
little to one side of the trap-door, and
when the rope had been attached to It, and
the men turned the windlass, the
uprights that supported it we're drawn
from their perpendicular position, aud
the whole machinery fell with great force.
One upright fell through the several trap
doors, producing the crashing heard BY
those 10 the building. Mr.. William Faulk-
ner. Of Faulkner 4 Son, who was assist
ing to lower the press frame, was struck
BY the falling machinery, knocked down,
and received q severe injury in the left
shoulder, the whole weight of the ma
chinery having come upon it. he was
soon extricated from bis painful position,
and received medical attendance. Had
there been two side supports 10 keep the
perpendicular ones 10 their places, the
accident could not have occurred.