The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1884-08-14
AN EARTHQUAKE.
The Earth in New York and vicinit,
Violently Shaken for Ten Seconds.
Great Panic Among the Denizens OF the
Tenement Districts -CefI'nss Craclked,
Brooklyn Bridge Piers Repoi ted to Have
Been visfbly Oscillatea.

NEW xORk, august lO.-AC ABOUT eleven
minutes past O'Clock this afternoon New
York was visited by an earthquake. The
shock lasted from two to five seconds,
though many persons estimate it at much
greater period, and was perceptible not
only in New York proper, but in all the
adjoining cities, from Long Branch and
Jersey City to Brooklyn and Coney Island,
and up the Hudson to Yonkers. There
were three distinctly perceptible shocks,
proceeding in lateral direction from north
to South. Men and women hurried into the
street and on the tops of houses, while
windows in every direction were filed with
anxious and excited people. Many women
tainted, and others ran into the streets,
wringing their hands in the mosthysterical
manner, declaring that the end of the
world was at hand.
The greatest excitement prevailed in the
Jewish and Bohemian quarter, on the East
Side. The houses, which are mostly high
and lightly tenements, were
violently shaken, and the terrified inmates
rushed out into the streets, carrying with
them. whatever Of their household effects
they could move. Children, screaming with
frigh6,wer born out by parents, who were
hardly less panic-stricken, and the whole
population were soon massed in the center
of the street.
In Ludlow street between Hester and
Canal the panic was at its height. The
streets were swarming with people, men,
women and children huddled together, evi-
IDENTIFY thinking their last hour had arrived,
and expecting every moment to see the
walls Of their dwellings fall upon them.
Women were shrieking and children were
bawling, while men were either swearing or
praying. This was kept up for nearly half
an hour, when the commotion finally sub
sided, and the police persuaded the people
to return to their houses. Similar scenes
were witnessed in Mulberry, Jersey and
colonies. The fright, however, was not so
intense, and after a little their loud shouts
and wild gesticulations ceased.
Operator Hoffman, at the arsenal, was
thrown from his chair, but was not hurt.
The globes of lamps in his office were
cracked. The ceilings of the Tenth Pre-
cinct Station-house were badly cracked,
and frame house at 147 Lewis street
cracked in several places, and one of the
women who lived in the house became un-
conscious from fright. A street car in
Avenue B was lifted from the track several
times, and several horses are reported
thrown down. At drug store at Ninety
ninth street and Tenth avenue several bot
ties were thrown from the shelves.
The policemen on the Brooklyn bridge
report that the shock was distinctly felt
there, and the great towers at either end
oscillated visibly, while the bridge itself
the river fronts, and piers were shaken as
II by heavily loaded trucks passing over
them. AT the iron steamboat pier, a struct-
| ure of solid masonry, the motion was so
violent that the ticket>takers rushed from
their offices to ascertain the cause.
Late in the afternoon boats brought
back crowds from Coney Island. There
the shock seemed to be much more violent
than in the city. The piazas and dining
rooms of the great hotels were well filed,
f<>l1
/ by rocking of the ground, which made
| the windows rattle, and shook dishes and
wine glasses from the tables. There was a
general rush for open air, and for some
| time great excitement prevailed. At the
new piers there was similar shock, and
| even chairs ratified about. There was a
| general rush toward the main entrance,
| people being under the impression that
the structure was giving way. As the
shock did not recur, apprehensions on this
score were soon allayed.
| The sensation experienced on board the
receiving ship Vermont, at Brooklyn navy
yard, was similar to that felt when q
broadside is discharged from a ship al
some distance, according to the story oi
| one of the sailors. There was distinctly
| felt jar, and noticed by all on board
Persons travelling in street cars felt the
| vibration, and in many instances the
wheels of the cars seemed to leave the
track, producing the same effect as wher
|
the Presbyterian Church in Greenpoin
swayed back and forth, and rang severa
times loud enough to be heard by all tn,
people living in the neighborhood.
Among other evidences of the violence O.
the agitation in Brooklyn may be men
toned the stopping of clocks, throwing
down of high pile of bricks, swinging o
lamps and pictures and the like. Man,
Sunday schools were in session at the time
and teachers had in some instances grea
difficulty in allaying the terror of the chill
dren, and preventing panic.
From reports received from Long Islam
it appears that the earthquake visited tina
region with greater severity than this city
Along the Atlantic coast of Long Island
the shock was very violent, and the vibrs
tions seemed to increase in power as the
travelled eastward. In Jamaica the vibrs
tions lasted ten seconds, and chimneys o
several houses toppled over.
Reports from many parts of this State
Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsy
vania show that the shock was felt abou
as in this city, and was attended with n
graver damage than the trembling of ol
chimneys or rattling of dishes. Som
women at different points are said to hav
tainted, but no one, SO far as known, die
of fright.
PHILADELPHIA, PENN, August 10Th
city was visited at ten minutes past tw
O'Clock this afternoon by an earthquake
which caused the greatest excitement, an
is the sole topic of conversation. 1t wa
preceded by low rumbling noise, resent
ling distant thunder. There were two di!
tinct shocks, continuing about five second
each. No material damage was done
the city, but several chimneys were topple
| over. The vibrations were so heavy thu
windows were ratified and bells were run
all over the city.
York, PENN, August 10.-At 2:15 tn
afternoon slight earthquake shock visite
l hi rit oh hax rattllnQ CrQCKer
banging doors and causing other unusu
, noises. No damage was done SO far as ca
be learned. The shock was felt over tn
county, and especially along the Susqu
hanna River.
"A young married man in this CIT
} was asked by his wife to order som
kindling- wood. During the forenoo
he met wood-vender, and ordered
dollars worth to be delivered. SUI
denly remembering that his wife ha
not change to that amount, and NJ
: wishing to pay the vender before
had delivered the eight barrels, he vel
wisely sent the dollar to his wife by I'll
dea er. The precise condition of afai
did not dawn upon him till he asked h
. wife in the evening if she received tt
money. The dealer said the wood w
paid for. r.-Harttord Times.
g in some parts of England bees ~
It never sold for money. They are e
changed for fruit, grain, vegetables AZ
animals, but their owners believe tn
'.bad luck" attends persons who Sc
their bees for money.
, Captain Condor. of the Palestil
!, exploration fund. says he has found Il
Q real Holy Sepulcher. 1t is solita
/ tomb without the city ami made with
shelf, where the two angels might ha
sat.
e Rich veins of amethyst have be-
. discore. in the Siiesian Mountain
Germany.