Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-09-07
THR RICHMOND DISPA ITCH TUESDAY. SEPTEMBER 4. Il

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g are patches Of whits ssud, Giro ilsr IL
snspe, and svsrsging perhaps foot Ia
WRECKED CHURCHES.
DID you notice St. Michael's church,
ana how Was il injursds
Yes. The huge pillars In its front
supporting the roofovsr the porch have
al fallen, aud the walls ere cracked and
buigiDg. The stespls still stands, though
apparently, in uneasy condition. It Is
an accepted conclusion in Charleston
that st. Michasl's, st. Phillips, and St.
Paul's churches, and, perhsps, many
others, will have TO be totally rebuilt.
NEGRO SUPERSTITION.
What has been the conduct OF the
negroes in Charleston?
Terror and superstition seems to have
deprived them, a. Q class, Of common
reason. They entertain and conf
IDENTIFY advance the opinion that the
earthquakes are premonitory OF the
worlds destruction, and hence they are
absolutely frenzied with fright and re.
ligious excitement. Their condition is
deplorable, and adds TO the gravity and
depressing features of the situation.
Their time is completely occupied with
preaching, praying, shouting, and To-
dividual appeals and circumstances to
the Almighty.
THE SHOWER OF STONES.
What did you hear about the shower
OF stones said to have taken place Sat-
urday?
/ was down town Saturday in the
neighborhood where they are said to
have fallen, but heard nothing Of this
report. / think it was sensational,
and due to the intense excitement then
prevailing throughout the city.
LOSS BY FIRE.
To what extent was the city injured
by FIRE?
can answer this with no degree Of
accuracy. AS many as thirty or forty
houses were burned, most Of them
small retail stores.
Are the people now returnin & to
their houses?
The houses OF many have been COM
pletely wrecked and rendered unin-
hsbitable by the effect of Tuesday
nights earthquake. Some returned to
their homes Thursday, but the shock
Of that night drove them out sgain, and
when left Charleston practically the
whole population were out of doors.
CHARLESTON FUTURE.
What do the businessmen think Of
the future Of the city?
Well, sir, they have had little OPP
portanity to think at all, except con-
corning their own safety and that Of
their families. l talked with prominent
merchants on the subject, but they
seemed dazed and bewildered, with no
definite estimates or ideas as to present
loss or future results.
THE TRAINS.
Are the trains running regularly?
Yes, since Thursday.
Are there many refugees from the
city?
Thousands. Every train leaving the
city is crowded to its utmost capacity.
Many are also leaving by private con-
vey ance and on foot.
ABOUT RICHMOND.
In Charleston, did you hear any ex-
citing rumors about Richmond, and
when did you first hear from home?
My uneasiness was greatly increased
by the report which became current in
Charleston Wednesday evening that
Richmond had suffered as severely
from the shocks as Charleston. In
deed, it was said by many that her
condition was more deplorable than
any other city visited by the
earthquake. l wired homo repeat
eddy after hearing this rumor,
but received no definite or reliable in
formation until Thursday morning,
when the news came that Richmond
was comparatively free from injury.
Six kilograms were sent me from home,
none Of which were received by me.
From present indications | am sure
there will be great restitution and sut-
feripg in Charleston before the people
can adjust their affairs. So it behooves
tie good people Of Richmond las well
as elsewhere throughout the country
to adopt active measures looking to
their relief.