Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-09-26
SAVANNAH MORNING NEWS: SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 26. 1885,
Harmful RumOrs.

Exaggerated statements and baseless
rumors are freely circulated generally In
times of great excitements. At Charles
ton, immediately after the great shock OF
earthquake on Aug. 81, there were state
ments circulated, some of which found
their way into print, which were calcu-
lated to do harm, and which subsequent
investigation failed to Substantial. There
was no intention, perhaps, on the part OF
those who assisted in circulating them to
inJure any one. In the excitement OF the
moment they did not stop to inquire
whether they were true or not, or to think
what harm their circulation might do to
innocent persons if they were not true.
One of the statements which attracted
wide attention was that the municipal
government was incompetent and the
police demoralized. This, doubtless, grew
out of the fact that the Acting Mayor re-
fused to order the police to silence the
colored people who collected in crowds
in the public streets and squares, and
prayed and sang and moaned for hours
together. He knew all the characteristics
of the colored people, and said: This may
be unpleasant-to some, but it is consola-
tion and relief to them. Let them alone"
A rumor-a most extraordinary one
was set afioat rejecting upon Mr.. Francis
S. Rodgers. Subsequent investigation
showed that it had no foundation in truth.
There is reason, therefore, for thinking
that the originator of 1t was Influenced by
malice. The rumor was that he Used
tents TO shelter his horses, while his
neighbors were camping under the open
sky. The statement is made on, reliable
authority that Mr.. Rodgers horses were
not removed from their usual places in
his stable, and were at no time an object
of his thoughts or special care during the
dreadful days which followed the earth
quake.
1t may not be out OF place tossy a word
respecting the conduct or Mr.. Rodgers
during those first hours of trial which
followed the disaster, Within a
few minutes after the great shock
fires were discovered at half dozen diff
ferent points in the city. The shock had
broken the connection with the water
works stand pipe, and for a time no water
COuiu NC maui WIS 1sOuSOI . 10 Yuan man
OF the Board OF Fire Masters, He left his
family and proceeded to threatening
conhagration on King street, in the rear
of which was one OF the large gasometers
OF the gas light company. For ten hours
he stood at his post of duty and of dan
ger, directing the firemen, employing ad-
ditional help, and himself lifting hose and
working with the men until the flames
were subdued.
During that fatefui night three firemen
were very seriously injured Mr.. Rodgers,
who has been charged in some public
prints as having been neglectful of bis
fellow citizens in a grave emergency.
went from the scene of couflagration to
his counting house, supplied himself with
money. sought out the injured firemen
and made their families free from any i'm
mediate care for their households.
Mr.. Rodgers is believed to be a man of
| large means. He certainly is indepen-
dent of such duties as he voluntarily dis
charges, vet he was absent for ten hours
| from his family at a time when the
bravest we're in apprehension doing not
only his duty but more than his duty,
| even IN peril.
These statements are made in justice tn
Mr.. Rodgers and without his knowledge.