The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-08
CHARLESTON NEARLY RUINED BY
an EARTHQUAKE.
GREAT Loss OF LIFE AND PROPERTY.
The People Abandon Their Homes
and Sleep in Tents.
THE EARTH CAVING IN.
iissures In, the Earth Emit Sand, Blue
Mud, and Sulphuric Odor.
ONLY ONE STORE OPEN IN THE "cITY
BY THE SEA-"
Twenty Miles OF the Charleston and
Savannah Railroad Under Water.

Twenty Miles OF the Charleston and
Savannah Railroad Under Water.
Press and Banner Extra, Sept ., 1856.
The history of Abbeville has no parallel tc
the last thirty-six hours. On Tuesday night
at ten minutes before ten O'Clock we had the
severest earthquake that this country evel
felt, which has been followed. by lighter
Quakes Mt intervals varying from few min
utes to several hours. Some seven or eight
severe shocks were felt Tuesday night before
daylight on Wednesday morning.
At halfpast eight o'clock distinct shock
was felt
At 500 p. m. another shock,
At Hiss another.
At 1850 our houses shook and the windows
ratified.
And so 1t seems that some action In nature
Is taking place. At each succeeding shock
our people became more and more nervous.
All day yesterday the people talked of moth.
ing else. Business was nearly suspended, and
all ears were intent upon hearing something
from abroad. The telegraph office and every
new conner whether from the country or rail-
road was eagerly interviewed. Atabout mid
day rumor became current that the earth
quake had knocked down a trestlc near Lang
ley, and that a whole train loud Of people had
gone down, and many killed. About two
O'Clock rumor was current that house in
Charleston had fallen and killed sixty per
sons. As nearly every man in Abbeville has
either relatives or good friends in that city,
the excitement became intense. Nothing au-
ceived telegram at $50 from Charleston
which announced that 'hareston had suffer
ed!greaLly. When the 40 train was due many
persons went to the depot in the hope of see
ing some passenger who was informed as to
Charlestop's condition, or of hearing some-
thing through the telegraph. But those on
ahe train were as ignorant as we were. Judge
MCGOWAN and Mr.. L. w. Smith were on the
train at the time Of the earthquake but felt
nothing of 1t. They had of course heard OF it
at Greenviile, but knew nothing of Charles
toms dreadful condition.
4 At early dark dispatch was received
which was terrifying indeed. Other dispatch
es were received which confirmed our worst
fears. Charleston seems to have been the on
~ city which has suffered any serious dam
age, and itseems to have been nearly ruined.
Our people crowded at the depot as long as
the telegraph office was opened in the hope
that something more might be heard. A
number Of them made up q purse and sent
Tor long dispatches which were never an.
swered.
Our metropolitan city has prospcred despite
the many calamities which have befallen her
ia war and In peace, but it really seems that
it will be hard for the grand old city to rally
again after this most unfortunate occu rrence.
There is no end to the number Of chimneys,
from which bricks were knocked by the
earthquake. The strangest thing of all to us
is. that they be scattered in different direc-
tions.