Huntsville gazette., 1886-09-11
THE SHATTERED CITY.
The Situation Of Affairs in Charles
ton Reviewed.
Relief Measures In PrOgress-FOrty Thou
sand People Living in Tents and I'm
provised Structures Dangerous
Work OH Shattered Buildings.

CHARLESTON, S. c., Sept. THE
scientists who have been explor-
ing the city and adjacent coun-
try say the damaging earthquakes
are over, although there will be
rumbling and tremors at intervals dur
ing the next two or three weeks. The
citizens have argued in their minds and
to suppose that violent shocks will con-
tinue. Thus they have forced upon
themselves the determination to be as
cool as possible and to look the thing in
the face. The theory as to
the cause of earthquakes first ad-
vanced by those making a study Of them
here, viz: that they are the result Of a
settling process in earth, has been gen.
orally accepted as true, and this has
helped to quiet the nervous and console
timld hearts and minds. Very few even
of the most devout people outside of the
superstitious, believe there is any divine
wrath or work in the quakes. Thus have
they come like philosophers to think be-
fore they run, when the shocks come.
There were some more slight shocks
yesterday, but they we're unnoticed. In
fact the psblic here has concluded that
shocks Ae to be felt as q natural conse-
Guence OF what was experienced on the
first Tuesday night, and that "there is no
use to get excited about mere matter OF
routine" as one citizen very coolly put it.
The threatened rain did not materialize
in anything like damaging quantity
yesterday. It sprinkled for a
short time in the morning, and
the sun shone in scorching rays. In the
afternoon the streets were so hot they
almost burned ones feet, and only those
who had business in the open air ex-
posed themselves to old sol's rays.
The "tented fields" made in parks
were as well occupied as at any time
since the visitation by earthquakes. In
many instances the campers and refugees
have made their shelter as secure as pos
sible, and intend living in them till their
houses are permanently repaired or re-
built. Old carpets, bedding, canvas,
rubber coats and every conceivable mate
rial TO exclude the sun and rain by day
and dew by night is employed, making
the camps, indeed, variagated
Nearly all of the iron, tin and compost
lion roofing on buildings in some por-
tons of the city was destroyed by the
Ial2C PolLiOH tOli Oh
by falling piazzas, chimneys, etc. The
colored people have appropriated this
material, and are living beneath canopies
and tents made of it.
1t is stated at the City Hall that since
sunrise yesterday morning over three
thousand people have been given trans
portation out of the city. The railroad
companies in the South, and in portions
of the North, have either sent pass-books
in blank or notified the relief committee
that its orders will be honored for free
transportation. Through the Danville
syndicate passes are issued as far north
as Baltimore, while many 60 to Atlanta,
Nashville, etc. The members of the CON-
mittee say the best solution of the ques-
ton of assisting destitute sufferers is
found in sending them out of the city.
Quite number of persons who can help
themselves, or are too trihing to merit
any favor, apply for assistance, but assist
ance is not often refused when requested
in form of a railroad courtesy.
The same class OF imposition is en-
countered in the issuance of orders for
rations. The line is drawn and discrimi-
nations are made when it may be advisa-
bic to trid of an imposter by sending
him or her out of the city When strong,
nble-bodied man applies for aid himself
he is asked why he does not 90 to work,
as there is plenty of work for laborers in
clearing away the debris at from Sl.75 to
$500 a day. The patent stereotyped re-
ply is:
'I am afraid to go to work. l am
afraid of quakeS."
United Press reporter was told by a
member of the relief committee this
"a Sla
negroes in the tcity who claim they are
too much frightened to work. The CON-
mittee is growing impatient at this exhi-
bition of weakness, and is suspicious of
much feigning by Incidence.
City Hall and adjacent streets have
been filed with destitute sufferers, and
many fingered about the place last night.
When Mayor Courtney arrives to-day
more definite plans will be made for the
distribution of aid. Now the Chamber
of Commerce, Cotton Exchange, city
officers, secret societies and other or
CARNATIONS are receiving and distributing
provisions, etc. 1t is the purpose to ap-
point an executive committee OF three
through whose hands assistance shall
pass or who shall know of all assistance
Of whatever character granted. This is
for the purpose OF preventing frauds IN
the way of duplication and triplication
OF orders. Now an INDECENT person
may go from place to place and receive
aid each time he or she applies.
1t is also expected that some definite
action will be taken when the mayor ar.
riyes for the lawful condemnation and
destruction of dangerous buildings Un-
der the provisions of the Revised Stat.
utes OF the State, the mayor and cllef OF
police OF cities constitute board to con.
demn houses, and in the absence OF
Mayor Courtney nothing has been done
to secure the advantages of this law.
In some instances as much as $3.50 a
day for common labor is paid. Some OF
the most enterprising citizens, who want
to put the city in business-like condi-
ton, are complaining because the acting
mayor and chief of police have not exer-
cised the authority vested in them and
ordered down dangerous buildings. 1t
is said that these officers refuse to do
snv thing in this direction till disinter-
ested outside architects indicate what
buildings should be torn down; because,
first, they do not want to invite the dis
pleasure Of citizens owning condemned