Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1886-09-10
sTORYOF AN EARTHQUAKES

HC lOllO" "'N'N'~ 80
great earthquake at Charleston, ). e.,
last week, was prepared for the Ne'os and
Courier, and was telegraphed over the
country. The author says:
While engaged in his usual duties IN
the second-story room of the Nelcs and
Courier office at the time Of the shock the
writer's attention was vaguely attracted
by a sound which seemed to come from
the office below, and which was sup
posed for moment to be caused by the
rapid rolling of heavy body, as an iron
safe or heavily-laden truck, over the
floor. Accompanying the sound there
was Il percepible 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 eN-
cited no surprise or comment. Then by
swift degrees, or perhaps all at once, IL
il difficult to say which, the sound deep
ened in volume, the tremor became more
decided, the ear caught the rattle OF
window. sashes, gas fixtures AMI other
loose objects. The men in the office,
with perhaps simultaneous flash OF rec
objection of the disturbance of the Fri
day before, glanced hurriedly at each
other and sprang to their feet with star
tied questions and answers. "Wbat is
that?" "Earlhquake!" And then all
was bewilderment and confusion.
A MIGHTY QUAKING.
Then the long roll decpened and spread
into An awful roar that seemed to per-
vade at once the troubled earth and the
still air above and around. The tremor
was now a rude, rapid culver that agi-
tated the whole lofty, nE-walled
building as though it were being shaken
by the hand Of an immeasulable power,
with intent to tear its joints asnnder and
scatter its stones and brick around, as
tree casts its over ripened fruit before
the breath Of the gale. There was 10
intermission in the vibration OF the
mighty subterranean engine. From the
first to the last it was Il continuous jar,
ONLY adding force ut every moment, ana
rs it approached and reached the climax
OF its manifestation it seemed Tor Il
few terrible seconds that no work OF
human hands could possibly survive the
shock. The floors were heaving uhder
foot. the surrounding walls and parti-
tions visibly swayed to and fro, the
crash Of falling masses OF stone anu
hrirk and mortar was heard overhead,
and without the terrible roar filled the
ears and seemed TO fill the mind and
heart, dazing perception, bewildering
thought, and for few painting breaths,
or while you held your breath in dread
ful anticipation Of immediate and cruel
death, you felt that life was already past
and waited for the end as the victim
with his head Oh the block awaits the
fall of the uplifted axe.
THE RUSH FOR THE STREETS.
1t is not given 10 many men to look
in the face of the destroyer and yet i've,
but it is little to say that the group Of
strong men who shared the experience
above family described will carry with
them the recollection of that supreme
moment to their dying day. None ex-
pected to escape. y sudden rush was
simultaneously made TO endeavor TO at
tain. the open air and flee to place OF
safety. bu. before the door was reached
all reeled together to the tottering wall
and stopped, feeling that hope was vain.
that it was only \ question OF death
within the building or without to be
Suried by the sinking roof or crushed
by the topping walls. The uproar
slowly died away, in seeming distance.
As we dashed down the stairway and
out into the street already OH every side
arose the shrieks, the cries of pail and
fear, the prayers, wailings of terrified
women and children, mingled with the
hoarse shouts of excited men. Out in
the street the air was filled to the height
of the houses with whitish cloud Of
dry, sitting dust from the lime and
mortar AID shattered masonry which,
falling npon ths pavement and stone
roadway, had been reduced TO powder.
Through this cloud, dense as fog, the
gaslights fickered dimly, shedding but
little light, so that you stumbled at ev-
cry step over :he piles Of brick or be-
came entangled in the lines Of telegraph
wires that depended in every direction
from their broken supports. On every
side were hurrying forms of men and
women, tareheaded, partially dressed,
some almost nude and many Of whom
were craZed with fear or excitement.
Here woman is supported half faint
ING in the arms of her husband, who
yainly tries to soothe her, while he car
ries her into the open space atthe street
corner, where present safety seems as
sured; there woman lies on the pave.
ment with upturned face and out.
stretched limbs and the crowd passes
her by for the time, not pausing to see
whether she be alive or dead.