davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-09-16
CHARLESTON.
Something About the Beautiful City by the
Sea.

The site of the city OF Charleston was orig
inally settled in 1869 by party Of English col
onists under Col. William Sayle but it was not
until after the Revolution that the present city
was incorporated-in 1888. 1t has since extend
ed from the limited boundaries of colonial
days until it embraces twelve large wards and
hal population, according to the census Of
1880, OF 1884. Two main streets-Meeting and
King-penetrate the city from north to SOUTH
running almost parallel, and these are inter-
sected at right angles by cross streets running
from Cooper to Ashley River. All streets are
well paved and lighted by gas, and In
some Of them the electric light has been in,
troduced. There is but little uniformity ins the
style OF the houses. all classes Of architecture
buildings which have been shattered by the
force of the earthquake were some Of the most
elaborate structures and some which have been
exhibited with pride as landmarks OF Revolu-
the city is conductive to the healthy growth of
foliage, and nearly every house has its little
hower-garden, while many are embowered in
trees presenting pictures Of beauty which are
seldom seen in the limits Of a Northern city.
Charleston is one OF the most interesting
cities in the country 1t Is one OF the few South
ern cities which retain all the old customs pe-
culiar to the South. 1t is a very moral city.
Only on rare occasions is there any drunken
ness or disorder, and it is said that there are
fewer people in jail there than in any of the
culiar to the town. The houses are mostly
low and broad; they have large, COM
modious piazzas extending around the en-
tire building and, strange to say all the en-.
frances are from the side It is very rare to
find front door. The gardens are surrounded
by high walls, and completely shut out the
The colore1 people there far outnumber the
whites there being $4,000 or 100000 They
monopolize most OF the trades-are tailors car
penters, .bl9cksmiths-ani leave very few open
ings for white labor. They also are usually
moral sober Industrious, and form q very
necessary part Of the society.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-09-16
STRANGE FREAKS.
Singular Results OF the Shocks In and
Around Charleston.

Singular Results OF the Shocks In and
Around Charleston.
Pedestrians In their wanderings through the
ruins discover many interesting freaks OF the
earthquake. Some OF them were found at the
residence of Major j. H. Robinson, we'll known
citizen. The building was badly wrecked In
some places, while in others it seemed to have
escaped injury. In one bedroom OF the house
the strangest freaks imaginable took place. On
one side Of the chamber oil paintings were
thrown from the wall with such force as to de-
stroy the canvas and crush the frames, while
on the mantelpiece few feet away in the same
room stood slender tall vase which retained
its perpendicular. On another wall In the room
were left undisturbsd' While within
three feet Of them the plastering was,
as 1t Were, wrenched of and ground
into dust, and the scantlng upon which
the lathing was nailed was torn out OF its place
A lounge was hurled across the room and broken
to pieces, while chairs a few feet away were not
even overturned. In some places a gate-post on
one side OF an entrance was twisted of, while
the other rpost but four feet distant, was neither
loosened nor cracked. The old magazine in
Cumberland street, a building constructed of
brick, stone, and concrete, in the eighteenth
century, which stood q monument among the
landmarks OF the city, having weathered three
wars and the many earthquakes and cyclones
Of the country in its time, and which carried In
its wall a shell from British gun fred during
the revolution-a building which the Oldest in
habitant believed could not be destroyed by any
earthquake which did not ingulf the city-is in
ruins.
Some curious freaks Of the earthquake were
found and photographed at Summorville a sub
urb of Charleston. Most Of the three hundred
houses there are wooden buildings, and, as q
consequence. the damage is largely confined to
their interior. OF one building the foundation
had been affected on one sido to TN extent that
the structure had toppled over in q half-reclin-
ing position, while the remainder Of the foun-
dation was unimpaired. The foundation Of
both sides Of another house, it was found, had
parted and shot outward, permitting the struc-
ture to drop to the ground. On many houses
one chimney had been destroyed and the other
left intact. large number of geysers were
found, some ten feet in diameter, and nothing
has been found long enough to probe their depth
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-09-16

The peasant Indians of Central
America hold some curious supersti-
tions, of which the following are ex-
amples: When a child is sick the
mother takes a drake, singes its tail
feathers, and, muttering certain words,
passes it over the patient A woman
feeds q parrot with few pieces of tor
tilla and gives the child the crumbs
which fall from the beak, as they will
make it talk. Collie is due to the evil
eye; in order to get rid of the disturb
ing influence the woman breaks four
ducks eggs into q basin, and, having
mixed them with rue, places the whole
under the child's bed; II the compound
be curdled in the morning the spirit
has departed.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-09-16
Singular Sights Witnessed in Chesapeake
Bay.

The officers Of the revenue cutter Ewing
which was cruising in the Chesapeake Bay
during the shock, had peculiar experience
Between IL and ~ o'clock on the night Of the
earthquake strong gale came from the north,
catching the Ewing in the vicinity of Smiths
Point. All ut once there was strange and
weird appearance about everything Nothing
looked natural In the heavens the stars were
shooting in all directions. and the breaking seas
sdfA iittlhev Seebl ceed
ever seeing such q display. The fixed stars
seemed to move and balls of fire first appeared
on one bow, then on the other, which the pilot
thought were vessels lights, and he kept an
anxious watch as he progressed. 1t was only
when they became general that the pilot found
they were due to an atmospherical disturbance.
haze peculiar to earthquake countries was
visible along the horizon and it excited the in
terest OF Lieutenant Brann, who had had q
thrilling experience under the same circum-
stances at africa, Peru when as officer of
the United States steamer Wateree, he was
carried shore on that vessel by the great tidal
wave and earthquake of 1863 During the
strange proceeding the Ewing was brought to
anchor in Cornheld harbor inside the Potomac.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-09-16
A VeraciOus Man.

Judge-What is your opinion of the
veracity of the plaintiff?
Witness-I have the highest opinion
of it, sir.
Upon what grounds do you base
your opinion?
Won the very best.
1.-The court desires to hear them.
W.-Well, your Honor, saw him on
the street one day, and he had black
eye. L asked how he got it, and what
do you think he said?
J.-Got it splitting kindling wood
for his wife, of course. A piece flew
up and hit him.
W.-No, your Honor. He says he got
it in fight. What does your Honor
think of that?
il think the bare word of such q
man should be taken. I find for the
plaintiff. Courier.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-09-16
HISTORIC CHURCHES.
st. Michaels and st. Philips, Two OF the
Oldest Religious Edlflces in America.

St Michael's Church, which is now in ruins,
was one OF the Oldest churches in America, and
certainly the most interesting. It's history dates
way back before the Revolutionary War, when
the Episcopalians first founded churches In this
country. During the last war it was a target
for our batteries stationed OH Morris Island.
From it could be had a view Of the entire city
and bay. 1t was the church where the old fam.
lilies resorted. Uncovered, shaded by huge
trees, it stood landmark, and the whole
town dwelt under its shadow until it seemed
to exert paternal influence. When its bells
rang out the people said it was calling it's chill
dren to prayer In its destruction a blow "a
struck at the old regime from which it cannot
recover.
st. Philips was also an old church, nearly as
old as st. Michaels. Here lies inferred the
body OF John G.. Calhoun. The pews were all
those great box-pews, In which one seemed to
enter a closet. The backs were higher than
the head, and there was an air OF antiquity
about 1t suggestive Of those old English oathe.
drals The people here are very pious, the
principal denominations being Episcopal and
Presbyterian. The Bishop OF Peterborough
hrst sent a minister to Charleston, and he built
several churches.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-09-16
ORIGIN OF THE EARTHQUAKES.
Professor McGee's Investigations - why
Charleston Was Not Obliterated by a
Tidal Wave.

Professor w. J. McGee OF the United States
Geological Survey, who went to Charleston to
investigate the origin Of the earthquake, gives
ii as his opinion that the disturbances were the
result of subterranean land slides; that is
that they had no connection with volcanic
action, and extended from forty to one hundred
miles under the bed of the sea- Professor
McGee accounts for the absence of a tidal wave
by the fact that the movement was from west
to east. thus carrying its wave out to sea. Had
the movement been in the opposite direction
there would have doubtless been an enormous
tidal wave to land. in which event the city
of Charleston would have been swept from
the face of the earth and probably its entire
population drowned. Tidal waves, ;" says the
Professor, -are likely TO come at any time In
this region because of the settling Of the earth,
and there is danger of submersion In New
Jersey whole forests have been sunk beneath
the water along the coast, and small trees are
still growing beneath it at this time" Pro-
fessor McGee visited Summerville, around
which the earthquake was particularly violent,
and paid particular attention to the matter
which was thrown up from the craters, which
are numerous thereabout One cavity created
by the shocks was found to be sixteen feet in
diameter and sixteen feet In depth. The
Charleston NetOs and Courier says there can be
no doubt that the earthquake shocks had their
origin In the islands of the Mediterranean and
in Greece and Italy
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-09-16
THE "GREAT SHAKE"
A History OF the subterranean Disturb
ances of 18l1-12,

During the year 1911 occurred what Is known
as the Great Shake" which destroyed New
Mississippi valley. The center OF its violence
was thought to be near Little Prairie twenty
five miles below New Madrid, the vibrations
from which were felt over the valley OF the
having suffered more than any other town on
the Mississippi from its effects. was considered
as situated near the focus rom whence the un-
was danger apprehended from the
Southern Indians, and for safety
the persons engaged ia carrying their
produce In boats Co New orleans kept in COM
pany for mutual defense In the middle of the
night Of the 10th of December there was n tor
rible shock and jarring OF the boats. so that tho
crews were all awakened, and hurried on deck
with weapons Of defense in their hands think
ing the Indians were rushing on board. The
ducks geese and other aquatic birds on the
riySr wero thrown into the greatest tumult,
and with loud screams expires sed their alarm.
The noise and commotion soon became hushed.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-09-16
An Elaborate Series of Questions Prepared
by Government Savants.

The Geographical Survey at Washington, in
pursuance OF the purpose Of the Director to
make thorough study OF the phenomena Of
the earthquake Of Aug. 81, has prepared cir
and the adjacent country, calling for detailed
information upon the subject from whomsoever
may have information, even Of an apparently
trivial character, to impart. The observer is
requested first to state his own position
whether in doors or out, up stairs or down.
whether standing, walking, or sitting, and to
rocky, earthly, or sandy Following this It Is de-
sired that series Of questions shall be an
swered oategorically: Hardly any fact how.
ever apparently insignificant. regarding this
great earthquake will not come amiss and IL is
probable, flom the mass OF information to Do
gathered, data OF great scientific valuo will be
deduced. Tho study of phenomena Of this
kind is claimed to be OF great value to science
as guide to knowledge OF the nature OF the
earth's interior. and for its bearing upon almost
eYery branch Of phYsies and geoloQY
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-09-16
PECULIAR PHENOMENA.
Effect of the Earthquake Shock at Sea-
Captain Voegeps Observations.

The photographic Office in Washington has
received a letter from Captain Leo Voegel, OF
the steamer City of Palatka, briefly describing
the effects of the earthquake at sea. He had Just
left Charleston, and was about twelve miles of
the harbor OF Port Royal, in eight and q half
fathoms, when he experienced a terrible rum
bling sensation which lasted one and a half
minutes. There had been quite heavy sea from
the southeast, but when the rumbling began the
wave motion ceased and the waters remained q
perfect calm until the rumbling came to an
end, when the swell was again manifest. The
wind was southeast and light weather cloudy;
barometer, 30.Ol thermometer, 80 degrees. The
sensation, Capt. Voegel says, resembled that
upon ship scrfcing pebbly bottom. The
ships vibrations Were very great.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-09-16
GRAYLING MICHIGAN THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER le, 1886.

wells, and the additional water was pure. Look
ing down into one Of these wells the observer
could, ON the eve of any Of the loud detonations,
see the rivers rise up the walls of the wells, and
after the shock again subside.
In st. Andrews parish, fourteen miles on the
other side of the Ashley river bridge the country
Is cut up by small hssures and mud holes OF
from an inch TO two feet In diameter These
quantities and the whole surface Of this area
Is covered with little mounds The people liv-
ing In the parish say that the mud and water
boiled up from five TO ten feet in height. At the
Is planted by Mr.. John Brannon, the surface of
the ground was disturbed by vent t-holes, which
threw out during the night seven different kinds
Of sand, varying In color and shade.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-09-16
THE SITUATION.
People DESERVING the City-Liberal Cash
Contributions Pouring In.


Advices from Charleston report the excite
ment abating. Business has been resumed
and, as means to aid the city the special
trade Of the surrounding section Is invoked II
is believed that 40,00J TO 10000 persons are
sheltered by tents Tho assistance OF
corps Of Government engineers has been
requested for the purpose Of making exam
inations and dismantling ruined structures,
Aid is being literally subscribed throughout the
country for the sufferers. The proceeds Of a
days racing at Brighton Beach, N Y
$1,000, were contributed Savannah sent
5000, Baltimore $4,000. Philadelphia Sl5,-
900, The New York Cotton Ex-
change has subscribed nearly $4,000, the Stock
Exchange similar amount the Produce FIX
change 5000. The Relief Committee are hard
at work. Additional tents have been placed in
the public squares, and for the colored people
comfortable wooden shelters have been erected
on Marion Square. There Is accommodation al
ready for 1,5O0 colored refugees and Gas
slept in shelter last night. The Subsistence
Committee will meet regularly and supply pro-
visions to all who are needy and unable 20 sup
port themselves, There is still a strong disposi-
ton to remove the women and children from the
city to spare them further danger and anxiety
The railroads are issuing free passes, and many
are availing themselves of this chance To qei
away from what they look upon a. Q doomed
city.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-09-16

Henry w. Newberry, Of Detroit, having
lately received about S25O,0OO from the
family estate, in Chicago, paid one-fourth
of it to Senator Palmer and three associates,
in return for an allowance of 500 per
month for several years past.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-09-16
Met n Heavy Sea OF Hatteras.

The ship Agonor, OF Boston, was off Cape Hat
teras at the time Of the first great quake in
Charleston. and although the weather was fair,
out cause and directly in tho face OF the wind
No shock was felt. The captain Of the Agenor
was greatly puzzled 10 account for this
the accounts of the upheaval along the Southern
coast
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-09-16
Historical Earthquakes I'm the United
State.

One Of the most remarkable earthquakes re-
corded in modern history occurred at New
Madrid, In the State OF Missouri. some miles be-
low bt. Louis, in 1911. The quaking OF the earth
at and in the vicinity OF the town continued at
intervals for several months, during some OF
the most violent of which fssures were opened
in the earth from which spurted masses of
mud, sand, smoke, and steam, like geysers,
the elected mud ascending as high as
the tree-tops. At some localities the
earth sank out of sight, and small
lakes OF water formed. Buildings fell into ruins,
and the entire valley was in a terrible state Of
excitement and terror for a year or two The
assures and the little lakes formed by that
earthquake are still to be in the vicinity OF
New Madrid. The convulsion ceased as sud-
denly as it began, and it was subsequently, as
certained that the cessation was imultaneous
with the occurrence OF the great earthquake
which in 1872 destroyed the city OF Caracas. in
the South American Republic Of Venezuela,
where II, 900 people were swallowed up
The other great earthquake was in New En-
gland, in 1927 when there were violent convul-
sions and hssures opened in the earth at sew
eral localities, out of which arose steam and
sulphurous fumes. This was the first of a se-
ries OF earthquake shocks that were felt in that
region at intervals until 1917
There have been frequent earthquake shocks
in various parts Of this country. east OF the
Rocky Mountains, during the past century, but
these were the only disastrous ones until the re-
Hafhfg fdn naestaHtfYvs 9iileasYoff tSf 5f tS-t tftd
ever known in this portion of the world.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-09-16

A RESIDENT of Minnesota, who has
seen several severe tornadoes, says that
their most peculiar feature is the singu-
lar sucking movement. Buildings are
sucked up into the clouds entire, and
come down soon in fragments.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-09-16

Rev. Rowland Conner, of East Sag
inaw, has accepted an invitation to read n
paper on "Jails and Prisons rs They
Should Be" before the State Board Of
Charities and Corrections a. its December
meeting.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-09-16

vests as they walked along. Then there was a
rumbling noise. IL was like train OF cars
passing under q tunnel on the top OF which one
stands. The rumblng and roar were followed
by the shocks and the terrible swaying move.
Inents aud then the falling Of walls.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-09-16

and nothing could be discovered 30 excite ap-
prehension, so that the boatmen concluded
that the shock was occasioned by the
bank near them. In the morning loud
roaring and kissing was heard like the escape
E1 Oh steam Tea \, from tS boiler and tremendous boil
swells, tossing the boats about so violently that
the men with difficulty kept ON their feet The
water OF the river, which the day before was
tolerably clear, changed to reddish hue and
became thick with mud thrown up from the
bottom. while the surface, lashed by the agita-
sion OF the earth beneath, was covered with
foaln which, gathering into masses the size Of
barrel, hoated along on. the trembling sur
face. The earth opened in wide fissures and
IN bnas ets baher tine Ine whset ,h sand ana mud
Inc atmosphere was filled with a thick
vapor or gas, to which the light impaired q pur-
pie tinge. At New Madrid several boats were
carried by tho refiux OF the current into a small
stream that puts into the river Just above the
town, and We're left on the ground by the re-
turning water, considerable distance from the
IMNer. M numerous boats were wrecked on the
snagS, while others were sunk or stranded on
the sand bars or islands. A man who belonged
10 one OF the company boats was lefA for several
hours on the upright trunk of an old snag In
the middle of the river, against which his boat
had been wrecked and sunk. 1t stood with the
contrived to attach himself; while every
fresh shock gradually settled the tree
deeper in the mud at the bottom, bringing him
nearer and nearer to the water, which seemed
desirous OF swallowing him up. While hanging
there several boats passed by without being
able to relieve him. until skiff, well manned
was rowed a short distance above him and
dropped close to the snag. from which he tum-
bled into the boat as it passed by. The scenes
which occurred for several days during the re-
peated shocks were horrible The sulphureted
gases discharged during the shocks tainted the
air with their noxious effiuvia and SO strongly
impregnated the water of the river for $50
miles below that it could hardly be used
for any purpose for a number OF days. New
Madrid, which stood on bluff bank fifteen or
twenty feet above the summer floods, sunk so
low that the next rise covered it to a depth Of
i've feet The bottoms Of several lakes in the
vicinity were elevated so as to become dry and
have since been planted with corn The walls
OF several buildings in Cape Girardeau were
the top, and wide assures left. The shock was
30 severe that fowls fell from the trees as IL
dead crockery fell from the shelves and was
broken and many families left their cabins
from fear Of being crushed beneath their ruins.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-09-16
SOCIETY MEETINGS.

N">N"~"No>|SN~>>c~~cN~N~N N~N~N~N~cON~~N~NON"~N~~N~
M. Il. CHURCH-Rev. @. NJ. Bigelow, Pastor.
Services ut IL o'clock a. m. and 715 p. m. Sum
day school at IL m. Prayer meeting every
Thursday evening at ~ o'clock. All are COR
daily invited to attend.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-09-16

MARVIN POST, No. 04O, g. A. r., meets the
second Saturday and fourth Friday in each
month. o. PALMER, Post Commander.
@. H. THAYER, Adjutant