The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-09-07
OUR BEAUTIFUL CITY
BY THE SEA AGAIN
DESOLATED.
1t Extcuds from the Atlantic Ocean
to the Missouri kivcr-From Maine
to Mexico.
| Augusta Chronicle.l

Augusta Chronicle
CHARLESTON, Sept. 1.-[Special. J.
The first shock of earthquake was fell
approaching last night at $50, and be.
fose the people could realize what the
trouble was they found themselves be.
ing thrown around and their houses fal.
ling down Oh them. Every one ran
screaming into the streets, and in a few
minutes the city was wild with human
being, crazed with fright. On all sides
you could here cxclamations such as
"My God save US; God have mercy
upon us sinners''-and people could be
seen kneclng everywhere in groups,
offering up prayers. The first shock
was followed immediately by another,
although cf less effect, and screams and
shricks fvom the time Of the beginning
to daylight, were heard. The shocks
were felt at intervals OF half an hour.
but each succeeding one being less dis
tinct.
FIRES ALI. ovEa THE CITY.
Three or four fires started in US 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 devour-
cd by fire. However. the fire depart
ment was so we'll directed and handled
that the fire were gotten under control
hy daylight. From fifteen to twenty
residence and stores wcrc consumed.
The loss by the fire and earthquake
cannot be accurately estimated, but can
he placed safely at five million dollars.
AZ far as could be asccrtained during the
night Is to 20 persons were killed, and
much greater number wounded in all
SORTS Of ways. The loss of human life
will be large and it will take days to get
at the accurate number.
sUMMEnrIILE COMPLETELY wTEcKEn.
, Shocks, equally as severe were felt at
distance Of thirty-five miles, aud have
done inestimablc damage to railroad and
telegraph property. Charleston is now
entirely isolated from the outside world.
Summcrvillc, twenty-five miles from
Charleston, was nearly destroyed by the
earthquake. The passenger train from
Columbia to Charleston was thrown
from the track. near Summervill., and
the engineer and fireman killed. The
passengers on the wrecked train. and
those on this mornings train. including
the telegraph company's linemen,s have
not reached Charleston. &&.i|,
ANOTHER SHOCK IN THE MORNING.
At precisely 1925 this morning another
wave swept over the city. coming, as did
the other, from the southeast and going
in northwestcrly direction. BY that
time many people who had been out on
the public parks and open places all
night had ventured into their house to
gct clothing and food. The approach of
the shock was hcraldcd by the usual
rumblirg sound resembling thunder.
Then it gradually approached, tho Garth !
quivered and hcaved, and in three sec
onds it had passed, tho sounds diving
out in the distance. This is the only
wave felt since 2:3O a. NJ. 1t was not
destructivc--all the destruction having
been done at s:55 last night.
THE CITY \ COMPLETE WRECK.
The city is complete wreck. st.
Michael's and st. Philips churches in
the city arc in ruins. So is Hibernian
Hall. The police station and many other
public buildings and fully two thirds Of
the residence in the city are uninhab bita-
BILE, being wrecked either totally or par
TALLY. 1t is Impossible at this time TO
get a correct estimate Of the casualties.
It's expected that between fifty and
100 persons have been killed and sever
al hundred wounded. Scarcely 100 ouses
in the city are occupied at this time.
the people all encamcd in open places.
All stores are closed. and a scarcity OF
provisions is feared--not from want of