Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-09-04


gain little confidence. Many veutured
Into their ruined homes to get change OF
raiment and TO obtain from the wreck
some needed utensils to cook with.
SIGNS OF ACTIVITY.
The streets. which have for two days
been deserted, began to show signs of life,
and large truck was actually seen
vending it's way down Meeting street
with two long sticks OF timber out of
which to construct shears. These were
intended to prop up the City Hall. AS
the day wore on groups OF men gathered
on the corners ana discussed the situa-
tion. There was pressing need of la
borers, fact which nobody appreciated
more than the laborers themselves. Very
Jew, however, went to work. Some were
employed clearing away the bricks, NOR
tar and stone from the sidewalks. They
were paid 200. an hour.
OIL CLOTH ROOFS.
In one or two instances houses which
were unroofed were covered with oil cloth
and tarpaulins, which had done duty ar-
ter the Cyclone In August last and which
had been thoughtfnlly preserved by the
| owners. Very little was attempted in the
way OF permanent repairs. The price OF
all kinds Of labor went up to enormous
figures, Carpenters and bricklayers who
were asked II they desired work demanded
from So to $40 per day, but 1t was after
wards stated that $6 per day had been
nxed as the regular standard.
Oolored men who were lounging
around the streets wanted 90 cents an
hour for their services at odd jobs.
GROCERIES, OPENING.
One or two grocery stores were opened
in various portions of the city, and the
stock OF tin provisions IN the city was
very materially reduced. A peculiar fea-
ture Of the earthquake was OF course Its
work on the chimneys. IL the weather
should turn oold much would be added to
the suffering OF the people, as there are
few houses in the City in which a fire
could be built. Over two-thirds of the
population dlned al freSc0 and on canned
provisions. AS night approached there
was very general movement In the di-
reotionof the squares. The day had been
utilized by those who were compelled TO
sleep out, and a city OF improysed tents
soon covered each vacant square.
HOUSES OF CLOTH.
The houses were of all shapes and sizes,
constructed Of quilts, awnings, comforts,
blankets, and whatever else in the way Of
cloth could be had, pettlcoats and other
articles of wearing apparel being used as
doors and windows. AT the Artesian
Park two of the fire engines were sta
toned, the men being provided with quar-
ters under a sheet stretched out like fly.
The park was packed. Several ice wag-
ons, express wagons, etc., were anchored
in the park and afforded shelter to as
many families.
THE WHEELS TIED DOWN.
The wheels were tied down to stakes
ana the vehicles were thus prevented from
lurching during quake. Around them
were hundreds OF make-shift tents.
In Washington square almost every
available spot OF the lawn was staked off
with claims except that portion near the
City Hall. Whites and blacks we're mixed
up Unfortunately and the afternoon
was well advanced before the work Of
building the ephemerial city was finished.
1t was queer and picturesque sight,
and pititul withal. The horrible noises
and orgies of the two negro men who were
preaching excited the col0red women to
frenzy The night before was still fresh
in theG ads OF the afrighted ladies and
childr0F,Ywho were pOwerless to help
themselves.
AT THE MERCY OF RoUGHs.
Many of the oolored people who were
camped were respectable people and dep
recated the terrible scenes that had been
enacted. The negroes who took part In
these were of the lowest from Elliott
assurance OF numbers, and refused TO
desist or to conduct their exercises in
moderation. The Chief of Police was APP
pealed to on Wednesday night inetfectu.
ally. On Thursday night the situation
promised to be worse. Half hundred
half-grOwn negroes, men and women,
began to play base ball, and for time
took complete possession of the place,
rushing about over every one and filling
| M of WI
THE MAYOR INTERPRETERS.
Fortunately, however, Acting Mayor
Auger happened TO pass the park and his
attention was called to the matter by sew
eral gentlemen who had families OF help
less women and children on the grounds.
Mayor Huger at once issued the neces-
saTg orders to have the ball playing
stopped and to forbid the usual religious
orgies conducted after the Elliott street
sty le, aud the night was passed IN peace
aud quiet, undisturbed by the shouts OF
hall drunken negroes and frenzied negro
women. 10 doing this the Mayor earned
the heartfelt gratitude OF the helpless and
homeless women and children who have
no shelter.
THE NIGHT WITHOUT INCIDENT.
The night passed at Washington square
without incident. Religious services
we're held by some Of the coiOred people,
but they were conducted quietly and in a
way that won the respect and attention
OF even those who felt no inclination 10
pray. Some persons aver that they felt q
slight shock about O'Clock and again at
3 O'clock this morning, but the general
impression is that these were 0nly rum
bling sounds caused by the passage Of
vehicles through the streets. The tenn
perature since Thursday morning has
fallen IS deg. and the night was rather
cold.
THE POLICE.
The police who we're not on duty impro-
vised tent on the southeast corner Of
the square. The headquarters are trans
ferred To the main station stables on
Broad street. Many families VINO are un-
able 10 sleep in their houses nave pro-
yided themselves with temporary outdoor
quarters in the yards and Enclosures, in
cases where these are sufficiently large to
avoid danger from falling walls. Others.
whose lots are too small, have resOrted 10
the nearest vacant lot. In the upper
wards many families are accommodated
in box cars and passenger coaches, which
have been placed at their disposal by the
railroad companies.
THE HARBoR UNMoLFsTED.
Strange 10 say the effects of the EARTH
quake were not visible In the hsrbor,
and every ship in port is crowded with
a