The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1886-09-04
The Wreck of Charleston.

the last earthquake shock was expert
enced there at 11:5O Thursday night,
since which time there have been no vi
brations. The people are just beginning
to pick up courage to come out. Efforts
are being made to clear paths through
the streets for the passage of vehicles
and pedestrians, and the city once more
begins to show some signs of life. For
two long days and nights of horror
women and children have been camped
out in parks and squares. The earth
quake has swept over the city like a
Bosom of destruction and Charleston is
laid DOWN in the dust. 1t is impossible
to give any correct estimate of the loss of
life and property. For two days and
nights the people have done nothing but
huddle on squares. Small detached re-
lief pat ties are going to dig out the dead
from the debris or succor the wounded.
A telegram from Charleston to the
Times Union says:
As details of the calamity in this city
are gathered its effects become more and
more alarming. 1t is feared also that
much distress will prevail, as by far the
larger part of those whose property has
been wrecked or seriously damaged be-
long to the poorer class. The people are
as cheerful rs possible under the terrible
circumstances, and are trying to restore
order out of chaos.
The aggregate loss liz expected To reach
IS, 900, 900. The wharves, warehouses
and business facilities of the city are
generally unaffected by the catastrophe,
and Charleston is as ready as ever for the
transaction of business.
The official total of deaths is 3d. The
wounded will probably number 100.
Cuisines - still suspended, the whole
attention of the people being given to
providing for the refugees aud making
the residences safe. Bricklnyers have
advanced their wages To So per day. L he
city council will probably meet to-mor-
row to provide measures for reaching the
poor. Expressions of gratitude are heard
on all sides for the assistance offered to
Charleston, of which the suffering peo-
pie will gladly avail themselves.
The corrected list Of deaths will be
given later.
Confidence lis gradually returning, but
much apprehension Is still felt.
As to the extent of the damages the
same report says
The people are gradually taking ac-
count of the details of the in Jury worke ell
10y the earthquake, and the list of DANA
gees To property is startling. \ limited
section Ill the south of the city Is IL
sample of the whole. Standing at the
post office and looking west an almost
impasssable roadway of tebfis meets the
eye. The building of the Chamber of
Commerce Is badly damaged, a portion
of the south and east walls having been
thrown down 10y the violence of the
shock, and the buildings OF Walker,
Evans X Cogswell have also suffered,
while the heavy granite slabs which
formed the parapet of the NerS dnd
Coufier buildings lie upon tho sidewalk,
leaving the slate roof and IA portion of the
attic floor exposed. Almost the entire
front Of the buildings occupied by Myers
cigar store and Smiths stencil establish
ment Is torn out, leaving the upper floors
exposed. The Plenge building at the
corner of Church street was badly dam
aged. Most of the buildings On the
street are more or less damaged. but the
violence of the earthquake Is most per-
ceptihie at the historic intersection of
Broad and Meeting streets. The police
station Ii almost IA complete wreck. The
upper edge Of the wall has been torn
down, and that of the north wall has
fallen on the roof of the porch, carrying
il away and leaving only the largo tluted
pillars standing.
The City Hall apparently escaped seri-
Gus damage, but Is badly cracked on the
east wall, and the court house building
is badly damaged, the walls being
cracked in several places, and portion
of the cornice and gables being thrown
down. The iire-proof building seems to
stand as IA rock. The gables of the north
and south pOrches, have been thrown to
the pavement below. This appears to he
the only damage done To the building.
As to the general feeling in the city the
telegram says
There lis II rather more cheerful feeling
repair the shattered houses and renew
the ruined homes. Offers of assistance
are coming from different quarters and
1t is expected that the city council will
organize a relief committee TO morrow.
Despite the loss by the earthquake,
Charleston Is in AS good position rs ever
for the transaction of the usual autumn
trade There is ample warehouse and
wharf room. The congresses are in
trim and the merchants and factors are
ready 20 deal expeditiously with all BUSH
ness that offers. This statement is made
to correct an existing erroneous impress
ION that the commercial facilities of the
port are impaired.
There are numerous evidences of "a vol
capic nature. Near Shell street there is
n cabin occupied by IA colored man that
is completely surrounded by yawning
chasms extending through the earth's
surface for ten feet and over. All
around this there are signs of fresh water
ana masses of mud. with queer looking
soft substances that have never been seen
before. 1t is contended by MANY that
the mud and other substances found
around the village are volcanic matter.
lust after the first great shock on Tues
day night there was "A decided and dis
tinct smell of escaping sulphuric acid gas
over the entire village. The smell lasted
the night. 1t was distinct in
those localities here the cavities in the
earth were the most numerous. Some