The Press., 1886-09-02
An Earthquake Om the Atlantic Coast CHARLESTON, s. O., SUFFERS BY 60 LIVES
 LOST, AND MANY BUILDINGS WRECKED


 LOST, AND MANY BUILDINGS wREcKEDl
 About 10 o'clock on Tuesday evening an earthquake shock was felt in many north- ern cities, including many points in New England, the reports showing greater violence of the waves toward the south. In New York and other northern cities no damage was done beyond the alarm caused by the vibrations, and in some instances losses of life by panics where people were assembled, were narrowly averted. lid ings came on Wednesday morning that chimneys had been thrown down at Char lotte, N. O., and that 2 stone bridge was destroyed in South Carolina, but there was notelegraphic communication further, and people waited in suspense to know how much damage might have been in Aicted by the same force that had destroy ed the telegraph. During the day came tidfngs that at Charleston repeated shocks had destroyed buildings and lives
 The city was wrecked, the streets are en- cumbered with masses of fallen bricks and tangled telegraph and telephone wires, and it was almost Impossible to pass from one part of the. .city,to another. The first shock was by far tho most severe. Most of the people with their families passed the night in the streets. Fires broke out in different parts of the city. immediately after the earthquake. Women armed with matches fought valiantly to rescue inpris- oned unfortunates.
 At 8:25 Wednesday, morning another wave swept over the city, coming, as did the other, from the southeast and going in northwesterly direction. By that time many of the people who had been out on the public parks and open places all night, had ventured into their houses to get clothing and something to eat. The ap- proach of the shock was heralded by the usual rumbling sound, resembling distant thunder. Then it gradually approached, the earth quivered and heaved, and in three seconds it had passed, the sound dyI ing out in the distance. It was not de- structive; all the destruction having been done at 8:55 last night. @i n ''aatE .s.a
 St. Michael 8 and St. Philips churches, two of the most historic churches in the city, are in ruins. So is Hibernian hall. The police station aud many other public buildings and fully two-thirds of the resi- dences in the city are uninhabitable, being wrecked either totally or partially. a-
 It is impossible at this time to give a correct estimate of the casualties. It is expected that between 50 and 100 people have been killed and several hundred wounded. '> sa+@e -%a~ -# ,@f s4
 The effect of the shook can be judged by the experience 3of Capt. Dawson, of The News and Courier, who lives in 8 massive brick residence in Bull street, Rutledge street. Capt. Dawson was in his room on the second story when the first shock occurred. The house seemed literally to turn on its axis. The first shock was followed 'bya second and third, less severe than the first. The air was filled with the cries and shrieks of women and children, and from every side of that quiet neighborhood came the cry, HGod help us, "God save us, i" ssOh, my God. D It was worse than the worst battle of the war; When the first agony was over it was found that the ceiling of every room in the house was cracked, the big cistern was broken apart, and the large tank in the attic was pouring it's flood of water in- 1 to the bed rooms. .t.t E@@.fF.75 ...s ta@
 In the parlofs the statues had been wrenched from their bases and thrown to the floor. In the hall the massive lamp had actually been turned around. In front of the house large porch with heavy pill lars and solid marble steps was swept away as smoothly as if shaven by razor. And whatwas Captain Dawson's experience was that of hundreds of others in Charleston.
 There were in all five shocks, diminish ling in violence from the first. The side walks in the streets we're dotted with moth- CTS, wives and daughters, with their pro- tectors awaiting in anxious expectation still another agony. The air was thick with horrid runnors, and the lurid glare of the fires frightened the general ruin.
 It is calculated that at least three-fourths of the city will have to be entirely rebuilt, if the houses are to be inhabited. >f At 5I9 p. m. yesterday another shock was felt, and other mild shocks during the evening, but all the damage of consequence was done at the first, the others only gerv- ing to keep alive the terror of the people, who spent day and night in the streets. not daring to venture into their houses. f'
 The water of the harbor was little dis turbed, and there was no injury to ship ping, though the danger of tidal wave was constantly open, as the shocks came from the direction of the sea. Ssg f dtf ~
 Charleston is the most afflicted of Amer ican cities. Early in the war one half of the city was laid waste by fire. The best part of what was left was badly battered by shot and shell. Soon after. the war an- other destructive fire occurred. As a re- suit partly of the war and partly of the development of railroads the city has lost a large share of its trade, being outstrip- ped by Atlanta and even left, behind by Savannah. A year or so ago it suffered sadly from cyclone, and now it is laid waste by earthquake. "A score of years ago there would have. been little sorrow at the north over what many would have re- garded as rightaous ratrihntions Rnt hha