Crawford avalanche., 1886-09-09
A NIGHT OF TERROR.
Graphic Description of the Awful Scenes
That Occurred In Charleston.


From the Charleston News and Courier1
Necessarily the description that can be given
OF the disaster which has befallen our city con-
sists in the narration Of the experiences and OBJ
servations OF individuals, and, the subject be-
ing the same and the experiences Of all being
nearly alike, the story told by one careful OBJ
se9.yer server may well stand for a hundred others,
idea that can be had OF the Character OF
the disturbance, therefore, may be obtained
from narration of the events and scenes of
Wednesday night as they were presented to
a single person. While engaged in his usual
duties in the second-story room OF the Nelos
dlm Courier office at the time of the first shock
the writer's attention was vaguely attracted by
sound which seemed to come from the Office
below, and which was supposed for a moment
TO be caused by the rapid rolling of a heavy
body, as an iron safe or a heavily laden truck,
over the floor. Accompanying the sound there
was perceptible tremor Of the building
not more marked, however, than would
be caused by the passage OF street
car or dray along the street For
perhaps two or three seconds the occurrence ex-
cited no surprise or comment. Then, by swift
degrees, the sound deepenod in volume the
tremor became more decided the ear caught
the rattle of window sashes, gas-ixtures and
other loose objects. The men in the Office with
perhaps a simultaneous fash Of recollection of
the disturbance of the Friday before, glanced
hurr.edly at each other, and sprang to their
feet, with startled questions and answers.
What is that? Earthquake2 And then all was
bewilderment and confusion. Then the long
roll deepened and spread into an awful roar
that seemed to pervade at once the troubled
earth and the still air above and around.
The tremor was now a rude rapid quiver that
agitnted the whole building as though it were
being shaken by the hand Of an immeasurable
power, with intent to tear its joints asunder and
scatter its stones and bricks abroad There was
no intermission in the vibration Of the mighty
subterranean engine. From the first to the last
IL was continuous jar only adding force to ey-
cry moment, and as IL approached and cached
the climax OF its manifestation, il seemed for a
few terrible seconds that no work Of human
hands could possibly survive the shocks. The
floors were heaving under foot, the surrounding
walls and partitions vsibly swayed to
and fro, the crash OF falling masses of
stone and brick and mortar was heard
overhead, and without the terrible roar
filled the ears. 1t is not given TO many men to
look in the face of the destroyer and yet live
but 1t Is little to say that tho group of strong
men who shared the experience above family
described will carry with them the recollection
Of that supreme movement to their dying day.
None expected TO escape. A sudden rush was
simultaneously made to endeayor to attain the
open air and flee to place of safety; but before
the door was reached all reeled together to the
tottering wall and stopped, feeling that hope
was vain. That IL was only a question of death
within the building or without, to be buried by |
the sinking roof on crushed by the toppling !
walls As we dashed down the stairway and out |
into the street already every side arose the |
shrieks, the cries of pain and fear the prayers |
and wailings OF terrified women and children, |
commingled with the hoarse shouts OF excited |
men, Out in the streets the air was filled to /
the height OF the houses with whitish cloud |
OF dry, sitting dust from the lime, mortar, and Il
shattered masonry, which, falling upon the /
pavement ana stone roadway, had been re- |
duced to powder. Through this cloud, dense as |
fog, the gaslights hickered dimly, shedding but |
little light, so that you stumble at every step /
over the piles of brick or become entangied in /
the lines OF telegraph wires that depended In /
every direction from their broken supports On /
every side were hurrying forms OF bareheaded |
men and women, partially dressed, some L
almost nude, and many OF whom were crazcd /
with fear or excitement.
The first shock occurred at :59, as was indi- |
Gated by the public clocks. The second shock
which was but a faint and crisp echo OF the /
first was felt eight minutes later. As it passed
away the writer started homeward, to find the /
scenes enacted on Broad street around the Netos
aud Courier office repeated at every step OF the /
way. Sc. Michaeis steeple lowered high /
and white above the gloom, seemingly /
pninjured. The station-house, massive /