Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-03-06
miscellaneous.
AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE, FREDERICK.
STADT, 1861.

The negroes from the plantations were
terribly affected by the earthquakes; they
saw water oozing from the sides of the
hills where no springs were known. and
the rumbling and shaking of the earth fill
ed them with superstitious terrors. Some
OF them died from fright, as | was in
formed by clergyman who mnistered
among them. Hundreds of them hocked
into town, and for the accommodation OF
them and others we constructed tent out
OF our mainsuil. The scene in this palm
grove was not unlike an old-time camp
meeting. The sojOurners in both tents
devoted their time principally to religious
exercises, of which singing formed the
greater part. At times these tents would
be giving forth volumes OF music and
praise that made the very wekin ring
but in day or two it came to be the GUS
tom to alternate. one listening while the
other sang. until the superiority OF the ne.
gro music was acknowledged when the
black tent had to bear the burden of song
We had good opportunity for observing
the negro character under the most trying
circumstances. and had abundant evidence
OF its volatile nature. They were all very
devout, very penitent for the first three
days, and spent the day and nearly all the /.
nighttime in prayer and praise. Ii there
was cessation in their devotions at any
time, night or day, a shock was sure to re-
vive them, and long prayer and one
hymn. at least. would follow. But as days
passed and the shocks occurred with less
frequency and violence, Sambo's natural
gayety arose, and as their repertoire of
hymns had been exhausted, some OF them
OCCASIONALLY would venture to interiect "A
nnrnI.t hotIab i'm nportaI from, tho at.taS
and all would join in and render it with
a full chorus. GA one occasion they
were singing with great gusto,
81 wish | were in Dixie
when whr-r-r-er came tremendous vi
bralion, which hushed every voice in an
instant, aud as soon as recovered, fer
vent prayers took the place OF the world
Iy song, followed by the doubly appro-s
pirate hymn beginning,
"On Jordan stormy banks stand.'
People outside of the tents conducted
themselves during these trying times in
various manners. Some relied solely on
their devotions, others gave rum their
exclusive attention, while still others there
were who made as they thought, IA judi
cious admit xture Of the two. All, howev-
er, seemed to suffer acutely from anxiety
| ana nervousness. lnere Is nOtllng, L
believe, 50 trying to Il healthy nervous
| system rs a succession ofiearthquakes. To
a landsman a gale at sea has untold ter
rors; yet the tossings of his bark can be
accounted for; the wind and waves are
there. and the result may be anticipated.
But in an earthquake all these factors are
wanting; he cause is mysterious and un-
known; the result anticipated is destruc-
ton in some form, and the tension of the
nerves is most wearing. Imagination
magnities the danger, and thus keeps the
sensorium on constant strain for the next
shock. The third day after the wreck AN
unusually severe vibration occurred, al
ter which the smell OF sulphur was plain
ly perceptible. | was standing at tie
time by the side OF "a TREND, and SO affect
ed WAS by this new symptom OF danger
that could not mention it. | felt like
| one who sees a fatal symptom appearing
on the face OF sick friend; my heart
Tell Within me, and | could not muster
courage to speak OF it. My friend shifted
the Piutonic odor. however, and exclaim-
ed, Gods X, did you smell birthstone ?
What 1t volcano be under us con-
Tess was trying to Danish the same
thoug -ScFt6Aer Jor March.