Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-09-03
HORRORS OF THE VISITATION.
Abject Terror and Stupetaction OF
the Population.

CHARLESTON, S. g., Sept. AT III 100
o'clock last night, Sept. l, the last earth
wave swept over Charleston. 1t found
$4,000 shrieking, affrighted men, women
and children lying out In the open air,
crowding the parks and public squares,
shivering In alright and dreading instant
death. The first shock swept over the
city at 9:65 O'Clock Tuesday night, and
1t caused all the devastation. AS soon as
the people realized the awful Judgment
that had come upon them there was q
stampede OF halt clothed humanity to the
open spaces. Tnen follow, ed a night of
horror. 1t seemed an eternity OF night to
the frightened and hOrror-stricken
women and children, who had rushed
from the houses to the open spaces to
avoid falling walls and totterinV roofs.
But the dawn at length came, and with IL
came hopes of life and longing to return
to their ruined hearths and homes. One
by one and In groups the fugltives, half
clad, picked up their blankets and uten-
sils and went to their homes, only, how
ever, to find ruin and desolation. Many
of them went to work with what heart
they could 10 clean up things and to bring
order out Of chaos. Others hastily dressed
themselves and returned to the open
places for safety, dreading another quake.
6uOCks
Those who essayed to remain indoors
did not persevere long. Exactly Mt 1886
o'clock Wednesday morning came another
OF those dreadful premonltory groans
which betokened the approach of another
wave. The writer stood at the intersec-
ton of Broad and Church streets, looking
down Church street. in the distance,
and before the wave came up, could be
seen men and women rushing into the
centre OF the street. The tops OF trees on
the street were seen to move and nod as II
moved by a gale. The low rumblinQ
sound approached nearer, and, gathering
volume as it approached, went quiyerIng
past In a northwesterly direction, with
decided swell or CULVER of the
earth. The motion was not as violent as
the previous night, but slow aud quiver-
ing, reminding those who have been at
sea of the ground swell nipped and shiv-
cred by passing gust of wind. Itbardly
lasted three seconds and appeared to die
OF In the direction Of the northwest.
After this the whole city once more
took to the open places, and the public
parks and squares and vacant lots,
as well as the street corners, were soon
occupied by men, women and children.
The sun had come out very warm, but
fortunately It's rays were tempered by a
cool, brisk breeze, which sprang up
about daylight, and which blew steadily
from the east. Later Ia the forenoon
friendly clouds hid the SUMS rays, ana
added as much as possible TO the comfort
of the wretched people.
IMPROvISED TENTS.
Tents OF bed sheets and awnings were
improvised for the sick, and umbrellas
were out and pressed into service. A
silly and malicious specimen OF humanity
tafa tnh nj, a
O'Clock that the signal bureau had pre-
dlcted another shock at IL O'Clock, and
had the satisfaction of causing inexpros-
sible pain and anguish to the hundreds OF
frightened women and children who
heard his report. Wednesday was but
repetition of the night before. The streets
were crowded with debris, beneath which
were the bodies OF the slain. Death and
desolation was abroad upon the land.
No one thought of alluding TO business. Not
a single store was opened, and not living
face could be seen In all the miles OF
streets, save those OF the multitudes gath
cred In the open squaresf This continued
all Wednesday and all night
Wednesday night. Following the
S.25 O'Clock shock Wednesday morning
was one at 5:15 O'Clock in the afternoon,
and finally one at II 80 O'clock at night,
which was the last up 10 this writing.
Inc nlRuJ was u nOiTlOle OHcs Inc ue-
eroes panic stricken and afrighted
crowded the parks and began their pecu-
liar religious orgies. Here was deli
cately nurtured woman who had just
given birth TO a child, lying on blanket
in the open air, surrounded by crowd or
shrieking worshippers, whose cries re-
sembled paudemonia.
The night at length passed, and the
failure OF the regular expected shock
seemed to embOlden the people. The Off.
cIaIs came out and opened their offices,
and some effort was made TO arrive at a
correct account OF the casualties. Dur
ing the first night OF the earthquake fire
in various portions OF the city destroyed
over twenty houses.
BURIAL CERTIFICATES.
Up to O'Clock this afternoon burial
certificates had been issued for thlrty-hye
victims. Those for white people are;
Peter Powers, aged 40 years, ship
carpenter, a native Of Germany.
Mrs. G. Barber, aged so years. servant,
q native Of Germany.
Ainsley A. Robson, aged 20 years, a
merchant OF this city.
Robert Alexander, aged "a years, a
chemist, native Of England.
Charles Albrecht, aged 81 years, me-
chnnic, a native OF Germany.
y. z. Meynardle, aged So years, me-
chanic, OF South Carolina.
Patrick Lynch, aged 10 years, saloon
keeper, q native OF Ireland.
Miss Annie Torck, aged 20 years, OF
South Carolina.
Mrs. Rachel Abrens, aged as years.
native OF Germany.