Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-10-26
THE EARTHQUAKES.
How il Felt i'm CIeveIand-A General
Stampede-Inciden of the shake

How il FeItin CIeveIand-A General
Stampede-Inciden of the shake
| Up.
From the Plain Dealer. 2Oth.l
The direction of the earthquake was
from west to east or vice versa, it is i'm
possible to say which, and two distinct
shocks were felt, few seconds apart,
each lasting but moment or SO. Build
ings rocked from their very foundations,
not much motion being felt on the ground
floors, but the upper portions being
swayed in manner that struck terror to
many heart.
The shock began at just a quarter
before eleven o'clock. Where it began
there is no knowing, or how far it ex-
tended. II is notimpossible that Il jour
.neyed for miles, and may have lost itself
in one of the oceans bounding this con-
tinent. 1t was felt in all sections Of the
city, SO far as we have heard, and there
was widespread decentralization every
where. Some people thought the world
was coming to an end, some that the
buildings in which they were seated or
standing were about to fall, not few
ladies tainted, and every person above
the first story experienced sickenlng
sensation. Nobody comprehended what
the matter was, and there was stimuli
taneous rush from every high building to
the streets, where people looked in each
others blanched faces with astonish-
ment. If the people of Cleveland were
never unanimous on any one subject
before, they were all united to-day in
trying to get out of doors.
For some time before the shock was
felt the atmosphere indicated that some
thing unusual was about to happen.
The day dawned later than it ought, the
air was heavy and oppressive, and it was
very dark until after the earthquake.
The sensation caused by the shock was
A very peculiar and disagreeable one,
and everybody seemed to experience the
same feelings. The head felt COM
pressed, the blood appeared TO rush to
the head, there was sort of sea-sickness
and dizziness accompanying it, which in
many instances completely Frustrated
the nervous system, the more sensitive
ones fainting completely. yu.t.
AS before observed, the shock was felt
the more sensibly as the person was
higher from the ground. On the street
the shock was scarcely noticeable, while
in the third and fourth stories the
buildings could be seen to mog6. The
quests in the hotels who we're at the time
In their rooms hastened out of doors
with all speed, and in fact everybody in
every hig gh building followed suit. In the
schools there was regular panic. The
telegraph operators in the upper story OF
the National Bank building, one Of the
finest edifces in the city, summariiy lett
their work and clambered down stairs at
a headlong rate, and looked up as they
reached the sidewalk, expecting TO see
the block fall. Baldwin's Block, Az
water building, NorthFop 4 Harrington 5
block, and all other blocks, we're smptied
in a very short "space Of period and
each terrified crowd OF people was
astounded 10 observe such an extraprdi-
nary exodus. But after a few moments,
when everybody saw that everybody else
had observed the same phenomenon, then
Il was understood that either an earth
quake or an explosion had occurred.
But the effects Of the fright and the sick
eninr sensation did not disappear so
soon. and it would not be surprising If
some of the weaker ones should suffer
throughout the day in consequence.
IN TIE UNITED STATES COURT.
Quite an important case vas on trial
in the United States Court and the court
room was we'll filled with people All
AT once every face in the room became
white as a sheet as the solid stone stFHe-
ture swayed 70 aud fro; men jumped 20
their feet and rushed TO the door, fearing
lest the structure should fall about their
ears. Others seemed paralyzed and uu-
able to rise for q moment An attorney
was in the midst Of an argument, but
The shock stopping him 10 the middle Of
sentence, the Judge inquired, ~ What ;
an thisY' aud the court was peremVtorily
adjourned.
ALTHOUGH at the time no one felt dis
posed to laugh. yetthere occurred q great
many
AMUSING ISCIDENTs.
A rentlemaaly-looking young ran
- IN