The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-09-03
AN EARTHQUAKE.
Subterranean Vibrations Are Felt
Everywhere from the Atlantic
TO the Pacific.
Terrible Loss OF Life In Charleston,
s. C-Sixty Killed and Many
Wounded.

fore been known in the history of this
city swept over Charleston last night
shortly after 10 o'clock, causing more
loss and injury to property and far
more loss OF life than the cyclone of
year before. The city is wrecked,
of fallen bricks and tangled telegraph
and telephone wires, and up to an early
hour it was almost impossible to pass
from one part of the city to another.
The first shock was by far the most
severe. Most of the people, with their
families, passed the night in the streets.
which. even this morning, are crowded
with people afraid to re-enter their
homes. More than sixty persons were
killed and wounded. There is no way
OF leaving the city at present.
CHARLESTON, s. c., Sept. 1.-The
entire population of the city is out on
the streets, being afraid to enter the
houses. Such is the excitement that it
is impossible to get details of the loss
of life, but it is certain that it will
reach nearly one hundred. The prin-
cipal fatalities occurred among the
colored people.
Immediately after the first shock
fires broke out in many parts of the
city and are still burning. 1t is hoped
that they will not spread. There is no
way of getting out of the city.
RICHMOND, Va, Sept. 1, 1875 O. m.
"A dispatch just received here says:
The streets of Charleston are blockad-
ed with fallen buildings, telegraph
poles, and tangled wires. Over sixty
persons were killed or wounded. At
ter the earthquake fires broke out in
different parts of the city, but they are
not now spreading. The population
a nj in CfrnntG va
cant lots. There is so much confusion
that it is hard to get at the facts.
WASHINGTON, y. c., Sept. /. IL a.
m.-Later dispatches from the vicinity
of Charleston say that it is known that
sixty people have been killed and that
the city is filled with wrecked houses.
MORNING DISPATCHES.
An earthquake shock, that seeming
" had it's origin in the southwestern
part of the United States, passed over
The southern and eastern portions of
the country Tuesday evening. Since
Che shock there has been no Geographic
communication with Charleston, S. c.,
from any point in the country. The
telegraph authorities at New York
have been unable to get press dis
patches or other communications from
there. This circumstance occasions
great concern. That section of the
country seems to have been the center
of the disturbance. Savannah, Ga,
reports that the shock was the severest
ever felt in that locality. 1t is known
that a bridge in the vicinity of Charles
and the wires all lost, but that is not
so serious as the fact that various
other points through which there
should be communication with the
city are unable to get anything from
the place. A report has been received
from point twenty-five miles from
the city that the railroad tracks lead
ing from there to Charleston have been
submerged.
the following is received from Co.
lumbia, and shows the violence of the
shock at that point:
A terrific earthquake of full three
minutes duration struck this city at
9:45 p. m. The whole city swayed and
shook. Men, women, and children
rushed from hotels and houses into the
streets in wild alarm, some in night
robes, others in full dress. Walls of
buildings were cracked, crOckery rat
tied, and strong men found it difficult
to stand on their feet, and walked as if !
on "sea legs" Nothing so alarming
has ever occurred here. The streets |
are filled with frightened people. An
immense masS-meeting was being held |
in the courthouse, and the massive !
brick building swayed from cellar to
dome. The audience rushed for the |
exit and the speakers deserted the hall;
men fled without hats
A second shock occurred at 9:55, and |
the people who were alarmed at the |
first Shock and who had returned to |
inf N
streets. This shock lasted at least |
three seconds.
A third and lighter shock visited the
city at 1910. which was of as long du-
ration as the first. The people re-
manned in the streets apprehensive Of |
further shocks. The political meeting
has been broken up by the unprece-
denied occurrence in this locality. The |
shock of last Friday morning was felt
here by only few people. Tonight |
brick buildings swayed like reeds, and |
it is reasonable to suppose some dam
age has been done, but particulars can
not be obtained at present. Several seri-
Gus cases OF fright are reported. Re-
ports from all over the State show that
the shock has been general.
At 1890 fourth shock of a few sec
onds' duration came, and the streets
came to be considered the safest place. |
At lao fifth shock occurred for q
second or two. The streets are crowd
ed with people too much alarmed to
retire for the night. The negroes are
engaged in prayer meeting in the
streets. One man jumped from a sec
ond story window and was badly hurt.
Several chimneys were toppled over
and roofs crushed in. Crockery stores
were damaged and wall decorations
ruined.
The point from which the railroad
leading into Charleston is reported
submerged is Ravenels, place on the |
Savannah & Charleston Railroad about
eighteen miles distant from the city. |
1t is probable that the part of the track \
under water has been covered by
heavy rise in the river.
kilograms from cities in South Car
DINA and Georgia say the utmost con-
sternation prevails on account of the
of news from Charleston
and many fear that q terrible calamity
has happened there.
GENERAL NEWS.
The deficit of Chief Clerk Gay in the
Pittsburg pension Office is $11 1897.