Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-10-12
SUBTERRANEAN SOUNDS.
Ninety-siX Reports Having Heard
Detonations for Two Years.


CHARLESTON, S. c., Oct. 11.-There is
no thought of earthquakes in Charles
ton to-day. Everybody is bright and
cheerful. The Relief Committee have
received 800 applications for money to
aid in repairing houses, which represent
more than 90 per cent. of the total num-
Der of houses in the city. The commit
tee have approved SAL applications and
are disposing Of the rest at the rate of
sixty day.
A reporter Of the Charleston News and
courier, who was sent TO Ninety-Six to
investigate the disturbances in that
neignborhood, sends down a graphic de-
scription of the phenomenon. The testi-
mony OF MIR. l. Med. Klnard, who lives
near the centre of the disturbances,
makes the following statement: II first
heard the underground noise in January,
1885. The sound was 'dead'-that is,
brief and without reverberation. Could
illustrate its volume? Well, it was as
loud as the report of a cannon fred three
or four miles away. | noticed it
pretty frequently the first day; then
Tor two or three weeks | didn't hear
1t at all. For long time be-
fore the great Charleston earthquake
there was no report that l heard. The
sound of that quake was not similar; it
was like the roaring of IA train OF cars,
While the other reports were more like
that made by the falling of dead tree
than anything can think of. There was
dull boom, and all was over. The effect
Of these local movements was to shake
the house and rattle the sashes. / last
heard the sound on Monday of this week
about a. m. There are no cracks in the
earth that have heard of, The shakes
have had no effect on the earth.
1.-The territory affected is about six miles
square. There's nothing peculiar in the
formation OF the earth. The Atlantic,
Greenville and Western railroad is graded
to pass few yards from my house. The
force working on the line, months ago,
heard the noises as they were camped
near me, and some of the hands were
scared pretty badly. l don't know that
the shocks since the Charleston earth
quake have been more severe than they
were before. No, | am not sure as to the
direction the sounds came from. They
were over so quickly l hardly had time to
course them"
Henry Hill lives in the southeast edge
OF the town OF Ninety-six, about 100 yards
beyond the incorporate limits. II heard
the sound night before last" said he. sit
was like distant tnunderIOr cannonading.
1t shook my house and ratified the win
dows, but did no damage. This was the
first time | had heard it since the earth
quake. Before the Charleston earthquake
heard men talking about 1t. Freestone
prevails in this section. There is some
granite, but take it all round there is
very little rock. In digging wells we
hardly ever strike rock"
John Williamson is a thrifty farmer
who would give bale of cotton to secure
the suppression OF the strange noises and
shakes he hears and feels. He believes
that he Is in the centre OF the disturbed
district. With great gravity he told his
serious story:"l live in Edgefield county,
four miles southeast of Ninety-six. NV
house is just beyond Ninety-six creek,
and three-quarters of mile from Mr.. j.
Med. Kinard's. Pve been hearing these
noises since last September O year ago,
They sounded like big cannon at q dis
lance, or big dead tree falling. They
shook the earth and were over in a few
seconds. Sunday night a week ago
there was one that shook the house
for half a minute. l had time to
go out on the piazza before it stopped.
The sound seemed TO come from the south
east. Last Sunday night we heard it ten
times. Two were severe and the others
light. Ny house Is new one, and it was
creaking and popping. The windows ana
the dishes in the safe ratified. 1t was
trightlul. For two weeks until this week
didn't have good nights sleep. heard
the noises every night and also in the dav
time. The Charleston earthquake we felt
more distinctly. 1t lasted longer and
roared before it came. These other shakes
don't do that. Monday evening a week
ago was picking cotton and was on my
knees when a shock came. 1t Jared me
all over. 1t was a real bad feeling, | tell
you. 1t was no Imagination or scare ut
all. My neighbors, Mr.. Ellenberg's
family, have been over to spend the night
at my house every evening for two weeks.
1t seemed to me the trouble was right
down underground. don't like it at ali :"
The correspondent states that the noises
were heard seven times during Saturday
night last.