The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-12-30
An Earthouake.

An Earthquake.
A genuine earthquake visited Staunton on
last Wednesday night about u o'clock, and
was the cause Of no little CONSERVATION in some
parts of the city, though in others it was not
felt at all. This is not surprising, as it is not
to be supposed that one small earthquake could
travel over the whole of Staunton in one night.
On Gospel Hill, Gallowstown and Newtown,
the shock was most violent, upsettiny clocks,
playing on pianos, and performing divers 9th
er freaks not at all conducive to the repose of
the quiet-loving denizens Of those localities,
and indulging in strange noiscs,'' eminently
suggestive of burglars, which likewise was
not calculated to tranquilize the restless heads
that were tossing on their pillows, trying to fig
ure up the cost Of Christmas presents In some
Instances, SO severe was the shock. that the
people ran out into the street to ask their neigh
bors what it meant In the centre Of
the city nothing unusual was noticed, and the
hands workngin the VIRGINIAN office at the
time, were not aware of any seismal enter
tainment until the next morning. Between
eight and nine o'clock two brilliant meteors
were seen by many Of our citizens, but they
were eclipsed by a brace Of sky-rockets, which
were sent up shortly afterwards, and conse-
quently gave rise to little comment
In Richmond there were three distinct shocks,
the first being the most violent, lasting from
eight to ten seconds, and stricking terror to the
hearts of almost every one III the city. Men,
women and children rushed half clad into
the streets from the rocking houses, and SEEM
ed to be wild with fright. Many Of the women
. were thrown into Mysteries, and for short time
the panic was immense. Some could not be
persuaded to return to their dwellings after the
shock had passed off, but preferred to remain
out of doors until morning.
In Washington and Alexandria the shocks
were not so DECIDED, but were sufficiently live
ly to disturb the inhabitants.
In nearly every county in Eastern Virgins
and on the border Of North Carolina, the
shocks were felt, and as far West as the White
Sulphur Springs, whilst the Southwestern por-
, ton of Virginia likewise acknowledged the
compliment of a call from this strange Wis
itor.
The theories advanced as tile cause of this
contortion Of mother earth are many and dl
vergent. The anticipated eruption Of Yes wi
us, which is on the same parallel of latitude with
Richmond, is supposed by some to have exert
! ed an influence, whilst the unprecedented
: warm weather, a few days previous. is said to
have been Intimately connected with it. Sci
entifc men have been interviewed, and have
scratched their heads over the same puzzle that
bothered Aristotle, Pliny and Josephus 200C
years ago, and so far as we have any definite in
: formation the results are about par, whilst
, the true cause remains hidden in the womb Of
: speculation. For months to come we may eX
! pect lengthy and learned opinions from vari-
Gus scholars Of seismoogy, which will delight
reporters and leave the people about as wise as
they found them but which will serve to con
sumo paper aud achieve q cheap reputation
! for some aspiring professor. According tt
!. good authority, Lister and others, earthquakes
are produced by the FREEING Of inhammable ma;
ter, and when we consider the quantity of gas
: and mean whisky now in v ashington anl
: Richmond, there is no occasion for surprise.
>
J, VALLEY TRAINs.-There las been some
g confusion Of late relative to the leaving Of the
Valley trains. Passengers sllpposing that the
IS cars would rim up to the depot Of the Chesa
Il peake & Ohio Road before leaving. have beer
e disappointed and left learning too late that i
e was only on particular occasions that this wa
/ the case. It seems that the arrangement nov
: is, that when there are passengers for the Val
II ley trains on the Chesapeake s. oil: --.--
u chat come r-afa the West III rrIe morning, TIL
authorities of the Valley Road are siynalled
1t and the trains back UP. Otherwise, it leave
II directly from the Valley Railroad depot. The
le safe way is to go to the Valley Railroad depot
q and get on there. Three passengers were lief
q one morning last week, Zone of them going t
St the Vest, who remained at the Chesapeake
y depot to get on, while the train moved off from
o the Valley depot.
I We make this note for the benefit of tn
e travelling public.
i A CONTRAsT.-Within seven years the ma
tional debt las been decreased four hundre
million dollars, under Republican administra
: sion; in the same period OF time the debt of til