Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-09-01

In the earthquake shock OF last evening the
people OF Washington experienced a sensation
happily somewhat rare in this particular local
fty. Fortunately DO damage was done in any
quarter. and the tremor was not sufficiently
severe or distinct to attract universal attention
but 1t WAS plainly perceptibIe TO those engaged
In sedentary pursuits or enjoying quiet, and
by Its swaying motion, shaking Of household
articles, and the ringing OF house bells, in vari-
Gus parts of the city it manifested itself sufii-
GENTLY to leave no doubt as to the character of
the disturbance, and to satisfy all probable
desires in that direction. At Albaugh's Opera
House, where the largest audience of the even.
ing was assembled, the excitement and appre-
hension came near precipitating panic, which
might easily have produced fatal results by a
sudden rush to the doors. but which was averted
by the coolness OF a number of persons in differ
snt parts of the house, who, by their demeanor
and appeals TO the crowd succeeded in stopping
the stampede before any injury was done.
Time was-and not so very long ago. either
when the idea OF an earthquake the conti-
nent Of North America was associated wholly
with Mexico or California; for the generation
who could recall Lisbon day In New England
passed away in the earlier half of the present
century. Mexico still continues to indulge in
occasional shocks, which do no great damage.
The most severe shakng-up which any part of
California has had occurred in 1865, when
brick chimneys and unfinished buildings in
San Francisco were wrecked and pictures fell
from the walls, ana when narrow chasms miles
In length opened in the valleys further south,
old springs dried up and new ones began flow
ing. 1t is now the boast of enthusiastic Califor-
mans that, sincs their railway communication
with the eastern coast has been complete, they
have suffered no earthquakes worthy the
name. Oddly enough, IL is since that time that
the cast has become an earthquake country.
The shock of October Goth, 1870, extending
through part of Canada, New England, the
middle aud the nearer western states was
strong enough to ring fre-alarm bells, cause
panics In crowded buildings, throw article. off
shelves and crack large stones in columns of
masonry. On the night of the 18th of June,
New York city, New Jersey and Eastern Penn
sylyanis tTembled to such an extent in some
places rs to wake persons from sound sleep.
The 10th OF September, 1877, witnessed a
slight shock in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
On the afternoon of the 10th of August, 1854,
when the atmospheric conditions very closely
resembled Those obtaining last evening, a shock
was feit all along the Atlantic coast from East
ern Maine TO Maryland. Washington was
visited, but tie vibration was hardly percepti-
bic. III these Things continue, it will soon be in
order for the northeast TO copy the southwest
in its habit oi building cay. hquakeproof houses,
and compose its mind .or the endurance OF
spasInodIc nuisance which cannot be cured.
- =~
Nr. SedgwiCh, the sp.ci.it represen tative of
the Department OF Stale a, Mexico, teegraphs
to Secretary Baya,d saying that the published
stories about his conduct IL tuaf city are ridicu-
lously iaise, and that pr OF IL that effect will be
produced Whenever he IL called upon by The
Secretary OI State theT"jur- This denial must
be accepted by the country is conclusive until
those VINE made the original charges put them
in specific form and !ErnisIl reliable evidence
q: their truth Thuse vino know Dir. Sedgwiek
best satisfied that this cannot be done.
TIE Baltimore and Dhip Hallway company
has reversed the usual order OF things i'll giving
The emi.rant, and not the rich passenger The
nrst cha nee IL profit by its New York connec- |