New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-09-05
SHOWERS OF PEBBLES FALL.
STARTLING INCIDENT IN CHARLESTON.

snock OF ABOUT nve seconds duratl0nat o'oO ~ ",
the first to-day. startled the already frightened
people. 1t was not nearly so severe as the shock
last night. In Columbia the shock was felt at
0:ZI D. NJ. the vibrations continuing about nlteeh
seconds. The shock, as usual, cleared all the large
houses in the city of their occupants
The shock last night caused great alarm on
account of the shattered condition of the
nerves of the people. Those people VINO
had ventured back under their roofs hurried
In the streets, which presented for few minutes
as tragica an appearance as on tuesday nlgu''
Little actual harm done by the shock Two
untenanted houses reported to have fallen win
part of the coping of the Charleston
Hotel. The vibration during the shock was
especially great, but the moaning and
bowling sound was sufficiently alarming.
The people hoped that the shocks were at an end
and the disappon tment agonizing.
The sensation to-day Is the falling Of showers OF
pebbles in the lower part of the ciiy. The first fall
was at halfpast o'clock this morning and the
second at about 4 o'clock. They appeared to fall
IN slanting direction from south to north. There
are morsels of flint among them and all are plainly
abradeo and worn by the action of water. Some
few have sharp fractures and have evidently been
recently broken. The fact of the fall IS vouched
for by several trustworthy persons. The bulk of
the pebbles fell in and around Tie Nelcs and Courier
office.
Last nights shock has greatly impaired con-
dence The slightest noise, such the iarring of
a door will empty any house of its inhabitants. 1t
is still difficult to deliver kilograms, as few people
can be found at their usual places. At o'clock
| this morning the Western Union Telegraph Com
| pany succeeded in cesrngup its business with all
| cities for the first time since the earthquake.
The bar or harbor of Charl eston has not been af-
fected by the earthquake Soundings taken on
Wednesday show seventeen and half feet or
water in the South Channel. one hour before high
water, and in Pumpkin Hill Channel sixteen and
half feet of water There is absolutely no deter-
Grafton. There is absolutely truth in the report
that bridges across Ashley River have fallen
Professor w. I. McGee, of the United States Geo
logical Survey, went to Summervile on Friday TO
investigate the immediate or remote causes of the
recent earthquake He stopped at Ten Mile Hill.
the station around which the earthquake was par
ticularly active and paid special attention to the
matter which was thrown I'D from the craters
which are numerous through the belt Ofthe country
| extending from Dischers farm about four miles
| from Ten Mile Hill north and south and likewise
east and west for an Indefinite distance along the
| sea coast Professor McGee collected specimens of
| the soil and mud which had been thrown up and
samples Of the waters which flowed from the lis
sures, taking particular note of the cavities
on the farm of Mr.. Charles Lee. the largest OF
| which is about sixteen feet square
and sixteen feet deep. At Summeryllle Professor
McGee continued his Investigations and talked
| freely with gentlemen there. One of these gives
| The Aecs and Courier "A sketch of Professor McGees
statements Professor McGee said that tho Orna-
| mental work and gingerbread work in Charleston
was in many instances of proportion to the size
| of the buildings and these parts would be apt TO
fall aud carry away portions of the general stIuct-
ure. lie said that when he left Wash
ington be thought that he would have
little difficulty in determining the ap-
proximate cause of the earthquake. but confessed
| to have been much puzzled by his obSeryatlobs'
Contrary to expectations, he found that the issures
were not uniform IN their direction Some extended
from north t. south and others from east to west
and on this account he would hesitate now 10 give
any scientific declaration. lie did, however give
the opinion that the shocks the result OF local
land slides. BY the term local he does not mean
that the shocks can be traced to any particular
Mace at Summerville, Charleston or elsewhere, ana
| remarked that there was connection between
| the shocks and any suppressed volcanic action.
HIS impression is that the area covered by the and
| slide theory has been from forty to one hundred
miles under the bed of the sea- he was conhdeht
moreover that the worst was passed. ms stare
| ment, however was made prior to the severe snoeS
! at 1 o'clock last night.
| The professor left Summervle this morning for
the phosphate district, where he VIII continue his
| observations. Professor McGees remarks nave
had an excellent effect. Up to yesterday ABOUT one
! Thousand persons. or one third of the whole popu-
atlon had left Summervie and 1t Is expected that
Professor McGee's statement will stop any further
exodus.
| Samuel Hammond, who was reported as danger
| ousy injured and dying is now doing we'll HIS
leg however Is fractured and he has many severe
| contusions The feeling to-day is decidedly more
| cheerful and better tone naturally pervades the
community. 1t is difficult to give any Preciso
reason for this but it is the fact Ihe wOrkIueu
are at work upon ths injured buildings putting
| them in order, and as much as possible is oeihs
done to protect the interiors from the rains "hion
are expected.
| Another cause which increases confidence is the
organization to-day of strong rellet committee
which will take entire charge of the provision OF
| food of clothing and quarters as far as necessary
| for those who have suffered by earthquake
| considerable number of tents have been received
| from the Government, and others are expected
| The Orphan House. Amshouse. and both Catholc
Orphan Asy lums have been provided with suicien1
shelter An encampment for other refugees III ii'i-
tary style was begun on the SoutE battery. lhelo
| will be an encampment for colored refugees III
| Marion Square. 1t can be confidently asser'eu
that this work of the committee will be sysematic
and judicious, and that all the funds their d'S-
posal will be properly applied.
PEOPLE STILL LEAVING THE CITY.
THEIR FRIGHT INCREASED BY The LACK or PUBLIC
oRDKR.
ley TELEGRAPH TIE TRIBUNE
CHARLESTON Sept 4. The situation at thls
hour q p mJ is appalling. As many people as can arc
leaving the CITY, but many thousands cannot get away