The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-09-25
THE CANADIAN CRANK'S
PREDICTION OF ESRTHQUAKE ON
THE 10Th INSTANT
Occasions SOmething Like Panic In
Charleston, and the People Make
Preparations for the Event.

CHARLESTON, s. O., September a.
The Virgins prediction has done
more to unnerve the people of
Charleston than all the seismic dis
turbances that have occurred since
September 1st. 1t is useless to ssy
that there can be no foundation for
the prediction. Even men who know
the utter absurdity OF it, bat " no have
been through the earthquake, were
unnecved at reading it, The women
and children are utterly prostratsd.
The NeWs and Courier Yesterday
tried to show the Wlggins prophecy
to be without foundation, but there is
no use to attempt to argue with men,
women and children who have bsen
living on the brink o. crater for
nearly a month. Until September
29.h is past there will be no rest in
this afflicted city. Many men sent
their families TO Savannah, New Or
leans, Macon and other cities embraced
in the WigRins prediction, in the hope
of being able to attend to their busi-
ness. Their state OF mind cannot be
described. The situation, barring the
Virgins prediction and it's results, is
rather cheerful today.
There were two slight shocks at
Summerville last night and one in
the city this morning, although the
ore in the city was felt by but few
persona. The one bright spot in the
darkness is the continued good wealth
er, which cheers every one. The
equinox having passed, there is every
reason to warrant the hope that there
will he no September cyclone, and
this encourages the people.
INQUIRIES ANSWERED.
Letters having been received from
all parts of the country, asking
whethor the period Of great distressi in
Charleston has not been passed, the
statement is authorized that the r alief
Committee, through the generosity of
their fellow countrymen, feel them
selves in position to furnish subsis-
tence and temporary shelter to all who
need it. But, at the same time, the
committee estimate that the relief
funds at command or in prospect fall
short of the money eeded to put in
habitable condition the homes
of persons who are unable
to repair their buildings without
public aid. Government engineers
have inspected 900 buildings out of
1000 in the city and estimate the dam
age to those inspected at $2,000,C00.
Their inspection, however, covers
most of the costliest struc ure. The
committee in assisting needy house.
holders to make residences habitable
will deal first with those whose losses
are small, the object being TO make as
many roofs as possible tight, founda-
tions secure and chimneys sale before
cold weather comes. Homes Of widows
and orphans and other helpless per-
sons will have O paramount claim. No
loss Of any person owning more
than one house will be considered at
this time. The intention also is to
disallow all claims lpr plsstsripg, ss
not being indispensable to reasonable
safety and comfort. The Subsistence
Committee have supplied nearly all
persons requiring provisions and the
number OF rations issued today was
the smallest since the commissary was
established. The force Of clerks and
workingmen force is being gradually
reduced.
Today was very quiet. No shocks
were felt here, and only slight
tremor at Summerville. Business is
active and merchants are hopeful.