Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1886-09-18
UNFORTUNATE CHARLESTON.
The City Visited by Another Slight
Earthquake Shock.

CHARLESTON, s. c., Sept, 5.-There WAS
| another shock at 11:50 tonight. 1t was
not very severe, and the duration was
about two seconds. The prevailing belief
here tonight is that the worst is over and
that the inhabitants are reasonably secure
from further visitatiOns of earthquake.
This belief is based mainly upon the assur-
ances OF scientists, who say there is only
the slightest probability OF a recurrence of
the more powerful shocks after the lapse OF
much time. With the feeling OF compara-
tive security thus engendered, citizens who
lcfc the city in hot haste to elude danger
have begun to return in small numbers and
slght-seers are putting in an appearance.
Four times as many people were registered
Tor dinner at the hotels day than at any
time since the visitation OF the earthquake,
and all the available rooms at the various
hostelries were engaged for tonight. Few
II any OF these rooms would be occupied in
case OF another shock, and that NAV come
with the pressure of the tide at midnight.
Very few OF the regular inhabitants will re-
turn to their homes during the week; in
iact it is only the most daring OF the stran-
gers who yet venture inside OF q building,
and these do so because they have no true
appreciation OF the effect that a severe
shock would have at this time when the
houses hang together bya slender thread.
There is no doubt that the estimates Of
the loss by the earthquake are far below
the marks. The city appraiser, who has
gone over the whole city, and is familiar
with the value OF property, estimates that
it will cost at least $4,000, 900 to put
Charleston in a position as good as that
which it occupied only week ago. Build
ings, which were considered entirely safe,
are now discovered to be in dangerous
condition, and persons who thought they
hon st,st,
confronted by damages which are entirely
beyond their means to repair. 1t for this
reason that there is SO much anxiety. Two
OF the government engineers are expected
tomorrow, and i'll addition to these, the
| secretary OF the treasury has been request
ed to-day to detail "a number OF competent
civil engineers from the office OF the super
vising architect OF the treasury, to assist in
the work OF examining thoroughly every
building SO that the extent OF the injury,
and whether the building is habitable and
can be allowed TO stand, may be definitely
ascertained. The relief committee, with
the assistance given and promised, will be
able very shortly to provide, adequately,
shelter for the homeless refugees and furnish
them also with such food as they require.
There are to-day in Charleston many per
sons who are suffering for want of bread
and meat and who are unable to help them
serves. Ihelr wants, however, begun TO be
known and will be quickly met. The gov
ernment tents have been erected in encamp-
ments in different parts OF the city where
full attention will be given to sanitary re-
| quirements; but it is calculated that at
| least 5000 persons will need shelter for
| weeks to come, and it is proposed to erect
huts on the public grounds for the accom-
mediation OF these for whom the tents will
| Otsufiice. Ample accommodations will be
provided for the colorcd refugees as well us
| for the whites.