The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1886-09-03
Fearful Earthquake Shocks.

few minutes after ten o clock last Tuesday
night the citizens of this town were terribly
alarmed at feeling o fearful shock of M earth
quake.
The shock was preceded by rumbling noise
like the passing of heavily laden train Of cars,
and Immediately nfter the earth trembled and
shook, the houses aud everything in them began
to tremble and vibrate with such rapidity and
force that everybody quickly ran out of their
houses, expecting them 10 fall and crush them
in the ruins. Children were dragged from their
beds in their night clothes, grown persons who
had retired quickly sprang to the floor, and
without waiting to dress rushed into the open
air terribly aflrighted. The shock lasted about
two minutes, and was felt with equal force in
every house in town. Even the rock-built Jail
swayed 10 and fro as if about to fall. Some
gentlemen who were standing on the railroad
in front of Mr.. VIM. Munros residence, at the
time tell us that they could hardly keep on
their feet. the ground vibrating like railroad
oar in molten, and they saw the tall trees sway
ing to and fro as if in gale of wind, although
there was no wind to stir their leaves.
After few minutes intermisson second
shock was felt, but Of less force, and again
others followed during the night until eight dis
tinct shocks were sensibly felt, the last COM
ing about o'clock on Wednesday morning
Many persons claim that the earth was in
trembling motion from the time of the first
shock until o clock in the morning, when it
became tranquil until few minutes before 8
o'clock. But few persons went to bed that night,
and all were anxious to sec tho morning light.
1t is very evident that animals instinctivey felt
the danger and were greatly alarmed for we hear
that horses stood trembling in their stalls, cows
lowed piteously, dogs crouched, trembling, in
secluded places or near their owners, and even
chanticlear did not announce the midnight hour
or proclaim the break Of day. The colored church
bells were rung and affrightcd congregations
gathered, praying and singing hymns till morn
ing 1t cannot be denied that it was q solemn,
anxious and watchful night for all.
We have heard of no greater damage being
done than cracking of the plasterng in several
houses and dislodging bricks from some Chin
nies.
We were on our piazza-w which stands due
East aud West-at the time, and the first effect
Of the shock was distinctly at the East end, and
it seemed as if the earthquake rolled TO the
West end, for the whole house did not tremble
or vibrate until after the rolling sensation
reached tho centre, so we concluded that the
course was from East to West.
The night of August 81, and the morning of
September l, 1886, will be remembered by oil
now living in Union rs the awful night of the
earthquake.
A friend writing from Goshen Hill says:
" Houses in this section were fearfuy shaken
by an earthquake last night"
While writing adespa,ch, nj 5.25, Wednesday
afternoon, another shock occurred, that shook
every house in town very sensbly and again
while the clock on the mantlcpiece was striking
the midnight hour, we were aroused from sleep
by the trembling and rocking of tho house by
shock: These later shocks have Gre
ated great CONSERVATION among our citizens, al
fearing that perhaps the worst has not come.