The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-10
AQUIET DAY ATCHARLESTON
Prof MCGEE Declares There Is No Danger
of Further Serious Disturbance.
Mayor Courtenay Urges the Citizens to Return
to Their Homes at 0nce-A Half Million
Of Money Needed for Immediate Use
THE SHATTERED CITY.


to day, though the dream of absolute immunity
from danger was rnde!y dispelled by smart
but innocuous shock of earthquake between
and o'clock this morning. Shelter has been
pretty we'll provided for all the homeless, but
The expected rains will cause much suffering.
Rations are being issued to all persons who are
recommended by any reputable citizen known
by the relief committee. Charleston will also
furnish rations in the same way to destitute per-
sons at Summerville and Mt Pleasant There
are rumors that the negroes will fock here in
the hope Of living in ideness, and that cotton
field and truck farms will be deserted, but this
Is not likely to last if begun, as great pains are
taken to prevent loafers from taking advant-
Hge of the distribution Of food by the relief COM
mittee.
The board Of engineers are at work. They
find that the parapet of the western portion of
the custom-house is seriously damaged, and it's
repair will involve considerable expense, but the
building is safe, and received no other injuries.
The postofice Is considerably damaged, and Mr.
Spies would advise an instant removal were
there any available building procurable. It will
be propped up temporarily and rendered safe
The old club house, on Meeting street, is an en-
tire wreck and will be pulled down.
Professor McGee of the United States Geolog-
zeal Survey, in letter published to-day, says
81 desire to reterate my firm conviction that
there is not the slightest danger of tidal waves,
volcanic eruptions or other catastrophe disturb
ances There is every probability that slight
shocks ought to be regarded as favorable indica
tons rather than otherwise, as they indicate
that the accommodating strains to ryhlch the
earthquake is so far due are relieved from time
20 time"
Mayor Courtenay to-day issued second ad-
dress to the people, in which he says that he can
testify to the large damage throughout the
whole extent of the city, and that it can be
truthfully said of the community, as a whole.
that their moral courage and heroism were equal
TO their great disaster. Mayor Courtenay shows,
IL brief, what was accomplished in the midst of
the crisis, and mentions particularly the deyo-
sion to duty of the iremen Of the city, the con-
stancy of the police force and the fidelity of the
telegraph operators. and the zeal and courage of
the municipal medical corps and private
physicians Of the city In conclusion, he offers
the following advice for the best interests of the
peoples
Sat the end Of sixty days we must surely ex-
pect cold weather, and l am alarmed at the con-
sequences to follow the use of tents and frail
shelters in our streets and public ouays, which
must lead surely to sickness and calamity. l re-
turn this day to occupy the uninjured part Of
my brick house, and in all such cases where re-
turn to their homes is possible / earnestly in
woke the immediate and united action of all my
fellow citizens Where immediate return is
impossible, by reason of the dangerous condition
Of the home 1 recommend temporary refuge
In the interior of the State or elsewhere"
One of the incidents of tie day is the report
that there is decided depression Of the gen sral
sevel of the land at point on the Charleston &
Savannah railroad, and it is asserted besides,
that buildings in South Carolina which, before
the earthquake, were always visible from the
city of Augusta, can no longer be seen from that
point. This is taken az an absolute indication
of depression of the earth's level in South Caro-
lima.
A brisk rain this afternoon caused great un-
9asness and inconvenience throughout the city,
but fortunately did not astlong enough to work
serious harm
A novel and encouraging feature of the situa-
ton is the fact that the congregations of the At
rican Methodist Episcopal Church in South Car
nlina. composed exclusively of colored people,
gre taking up collections for the Charleston re-
Mef fund.
es By the railroads has diminished considerably
the number Of refugees from the city Since the
earthquake the railroads have sold about 2, 500
passage tickets from the city and have given
seven or eight hundred tickets away The
relief committee to-day issued about
seven thousand rations for seven days
each. A soup kitchen has been opened
likewise. and provision has been made for fur
nishing persons destitute. The bulk of the appli-
cations for subsistence from colored people.
To meet cases of distress where personal exam
iRation cannot be made, commissary wagons
patrol the city and furnish subsistence required
The children OF the city orphan home moved
back into their building to-day.
Later reports contradict the rumor of the sub
sidence of land on the line OF the Charleston &
Savannah railway.
Reports from all parts of the city show that
Iong-continued rains will work enormous dam
nge to property, besides distressing refugees in
tents aud hnts. The prayer of the people is for
fine weather
Three slight shocks were felt at Summerville
to day.
The total amount of subscriptions to the re-
Lief fund up to the close of business to day is
1928, 14S.
The commission of army engineer officers and
other experts have condemned, for partial DEM
clifton, several private buildings and business
places, and suggested repairs to others
Half Million Needed at Once
NEW YORK Sent AT maAtno of thn