Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-09-02


ments of walls, while the walls tnat we're
lett standing were rent asunder in many
cases from top to bottom, and were badly
shattered in every instance.
RoUsED OUT OF THEIR SLEEP.
Women and children reused from sleep
or Interrupted in their evening pursuits
by the sound of ruin being effected above
and around them rushed out into the
streets and huddied together awaiting the
end, whatever it might be. lnyalids
were brought out on mattresses and de-
posted on the roadway. No thought was
given to treasures left behind in the ef-
fort to save the peculiar treasure of life
itself, which suddenly became so prec-
ious in the eyes OF all, invalid women and
robust man alike, until long after mid
night the streets were filled with fugl-
tives in sight of their houses. Through
the long hours that followed few were
the eyes even of childhood that were
closed in sleep. Charlestonwas full of those
who watched for morning, and never, In
any city in any land, did the first gray
shades that mark the approach Of dawn
appear 80 beautiful and SO welcome
to the eye as they appeared to the thou
sands of people who hailed them this
morning from the midst OF countless
wrecked homes in our thrice scourged
but still patient, still brave, still hopeful,
still beautiful, City by the Sea.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
Another account says: An earthquake
such as has never before been known In
the history of this city swept over Charles.
ton last night shortly after 10 O'Clock,
causing more loss and injury to property
and far more loss of life than the cyclone
OF the year before. The first snock was
by far the most severe. Its effect can be
judged by the experience of Capt. Daw-
son, OF the News and Courier, who lives
in a massive brick residence in Bull
street near Rutledge street. Capt. Daw-
son was in his room on the second floor
when toe first shock occurred. The house
seemed literally to turn on It's axis. The
| first shock was followed by a second aud
third less severe than the first. The air
was filled with the cries and
shrieks of women and children.
From every side of that quiet
neighborhood came the cry, 'God
! help us" ''God save u.s." 1t was worse
than the worst battle of the war When
the tirst agony was over it was found that
the ceiling of every room in the house
was cracked. The big cIstern was
| broken apart, huge tank in the attic
was pouring its food Of water into the bed
rooms. In the parlors statues had been
Wrenched from their bases and thrown to
| the floor. In the hall massive lamp had
actually been turned around. In front oi
the house was large porch, with heavy pill
| lars and solid marble steps. All this was
swept away, as though it had been shaved
| of with razor. Capt. Dawson's expe.
rience was that of hundreds of others in
! Charleston. There were in all five shocks
diminishing in violence from the first
The streets were dotted with mothers
| nd WAITING in yintr
expectation still another agony. The ali
was thick with horrid rumors and tht
lurid glare of fires that heightened the
general ruin.
Owing to the demoralized condition o
! everything here it is impossible to give
correct facts further than that the mum
Der of casualties has not yet been ascer
tained, but is probably from 80 to A
killed and over 100 injured. The loss L
property will probably reach 5000, ,00t
or $10,000,000. Three-fourths OF tht
buildings in the city will have to be re
built. There was very little Shipping il
port and none of it was injured. The dis
| turbances have not at all affected tn,
water in the harbor, although it is evi
dent that all the shocks came from
sOutheasterly direction, and therefore
from the sea. There are no signs of
tidal wave as yet.
COMING OF THE DISTURBANCE.
The first shock OF earthquake was fel
approaching last night at $3.50 O'Clock
and before the people could realize wha
the trouble was they found themselves
being thrown around and their houses
! falling down on them. Every one RAJ
| screaming into the streets, and in few
seconds the city was filed with people
perfectly craZed with fright. On all sIdel
you could hear excamations such al
my God, save u.s." 'God have mere,
upon us Sinners" and people could bt
| seen kneellng everywhere in groups offer
ing up prayers. The first shock was fol
lowed Immediately by another, though o.
| less effect, but renewing screams and
| shrieks. From the time OF the beginnins
! to daylight shocks were felt at interVali
| of half an hour. but each succeeding one
being less distinct. Three or four fire!
started in as many sections with the frs
shock, and the city was soon illuminated
with flames, thus leading all to believe
| that what was lett by the earthquake
would be devoured by fire. However, thl
| fire department was 30 well drilled anC
| handled that the fires were gotten undeI
control by daylight. From fifteen tC
| twenty residences and stores were con
| sumed. The loss by the fire and earthquake
cannot be accurately estimated, but Car
be placed safely at $4,000, 900. AS far a,
| could be ascertained during the nigh
! fifteen to twenty were killed and a muci
! greater number were wounded in all sort
| OF ways The loss of human lie will b.
large and IL will take days to get at th,
accurate number. Shocks equally as sc
we're were felt at a distance OF thirty-fY,
miles and have done inestinable damage
to railroad and telegraph property
Charleston was entirely isolated from th,
outside world.
WRAPPED IN GLOOM.
! The city is wrapped in gloom and busi
ness is entirely suspended. The people
! generally remain in the streets in tentt
! and under impr0vised shelters, and will
camp out tonight, fearing another shock
! The gas works are injured, and probably
the city will be without light Tonight
! st. Michael's church is shattered, ana The
! steeple will come down, and the stee
pie of the Unitarian church has
! fallen. The porticos OF Hiberniar
Hall and the main station house
are demolished. There is much injury to
mansions on the east and south Battery
| The portico of the Ravenel mansion Is
down. Hardly house in the city escaped
| injury, and many are so shaken and
cracked that hard blow would brlnI
! them to the ground. The shock was
severe at Summeryille. Mount Pleasant
and Sullivan Island, but no loss of life il
reported there. Fissures in the earth are
noticed. from which fine sand apparently
from a great depth exudes. The sulphu
rOus smell is very noticeable.