Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1886-09-07
Earthquake in the U. S.

Charleston, S. O., there were SHOCKS
of earthquake without very serious
damage, first noticeable at about 10
p. NJ. Baltimore, New York, Wash
ington, Philadelphia, Cincinnati,
Louisville, Detroit, Indianapolis,
Chattanooga, Montgomery and other
cities and places throughout Mary
land, Virginia and Pennsylvania,
received the shock, as also Wheeling
and Charleston and other points in
West Virginia. In Wheeling the
West Virginia Editorial Association
fled from the room in which it was in
session, and the Register typos has
thy left their cases for the streets.
The city of Charleston, S. c., which
for hours after the earthquake was
cut off from the rest of the world by
the breaking of telegraph commune
cation and the general decentralization
of things in that city, was heard from
at an early hour Wednesday morn
ing, when news came that a portion
of the city was in ruins, many build
ings having been shaken down, others
destroyed by fire, and many persons
killed and wounded. The terrified
people had spent the night in the
streets and other open places, afraid
to venture into their homes. Gen
eral decentralization seems to have
seized upon the populace. Another
shock was felt at Charleston Wednes-
day morning, two more in the after
noon, one on Wednesday night, sew
eral more on Thursday, one on Fri
day night, and another on Saturday
night.
CHARLESTON, S. c., Sept. An
earthquake, such as has never before
been known in the history of this
city, swept over Charleston last night
about 10 o'clock, causing more loss
and injury to property and far more
loss of life than the cyclones of a year
before. The city is wrecked, the
streets are encountered with masses
of fallen bricks and tangled telegraph
and telephone wires, and for hours it
was almost impossible to pass from
one part of the city to another. The
first shock of earthquake was felt ap-
preaching last night at 8.53, and
before people could realize what the
trouble was they found themselves
being tossed about and their houses
falling upon them. Every n ran
screaming into the streets, and in y
few seconds the city was wild with
human beings craZed with fright. On
all sides could be heard EXPLANATIONS
such as My God, save u.s. God
have mercy upon us Sinners and
people could be seen knccling every
where in groups offering up prayers.
The first shock was followed imme-
diately by another, though of less ef-
feet, but renewing the screams and
shrieks, and from the time of the
beginning to daylight shocks were felt
at intervals of half an hour. each sue
ceeding n being less distinct
Three or four fires started in as many
sections with the first shock, and the
city was soon illuminated with flames,
thus leading all to believe that what
was left by the earthquake would be
devourcd by fire. However, the fire
department was so we'll handled that
the fires were gotten under control
by daylight. From fifteen to twenty
residences and stores were consumed.
Shocks equally as severe were felt at
a distance of 30 miles, aud have
done great damage to railroad and
telegraph property. The principal
business portion of the city was
destroyed, and hundreds of persons
were rendered homeless. Men were
frantic, women were beseeching mercy
from the Almighty, and children were
in tears. Even women, armed with
hatchets, fought ~valiantly to rescue
the imprisoned unfortunates. Meet
ing street, from Broad to Hazel, is o
wreck and is lined with un%fortunates.
The night was hidcous with the
groans of the dying, the rea of
the wounded and the prayers OF the
uniniured. At precisely 8.25 this
morning another 4 swept over the
city, coming, as did the other, from
the southeast, and going in a north
westerly direction. By that time
many OF the people, who had been
out OH the public parks and open
places all night, had vcntured into
their houses to get clothing and some
thing to eat. The approach of the
shock was heraIded by the usual
rumbling sound resembling distant
thunder. As it gradually drew
nearer the earth quivered and heaved,
and in three seconds the shock had
passed, the sound dying out in the
distance. It was not destructive, all
the damage having been done at 90
last night. st. Michacl's and st.
Philips Churches, two of the most
historic structures in the city. are
ruined. and the steeples are down.
Hibcrnian Hall was also wrecked
The stceple of the Unitarian Church
has fallen. The police station and
many othcrpublic buildings and fully
two-thirds OF the residences in the
city are uninhabitable, being wrecked
nitbor totally or Dortionv Srorcaly