Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-09-06

any exaggeration as to the extent of the
damage. l think that the calamity is
even greater than has been represented in
the press"
The only deaths resulting from the
earthquake reported to-day were tnose OF
TWO colored children, from exposure. 1t
is now hoped that the demolishment OF
ot. Mlchaels' steeple will not be necessary,
as the foundation appears to be sound.
TERROR OF THE PEOPLE.
The people are beginning TO recover
their normal mental condition, although
the repeated minor shocks tend to keep
the feeling of apprehension alive on the
more nervous. 1t is noticeable that in
conversation great many are unable to
keen their minds fully occupied with the
subject about which they are talking.
Every little jar or noise causes them to
start and look around as II there were
some ever present danger for which they
must be on the lookout II they would
avoid it. OF course this feeling Will grad
ually wear of, but there are some who
will not get rid OF it for months, even If
the earth tremors and minor shocks
should cease at once. The greatest ap-
prehension Is now felt with respect to
shelter. If storm should come great
many would unavoidably be exposed to
1t. AS already stated six-tenths of the
brick houses are damaged beyond repair,
and will have to be taken down.
or the other four-tenths q great many
are 80 damaged that 1t will not be safe to
occupy them until they are repaired, and
when the work Of repairing begins they
may be found to be in a much worse con-
dition than they are now thought to be.
There Is one danger to be apprehended In
nearly all the houses. 1t is that the
chimneys are cracked, aud when fires are
lighted sparks may find their way through
these cracks and set fire to the buildings.
DANGER OF CARELESS EXAMINATIONS.
Doubtless there are some who will not
make careful examination OF their
chimneys, and If no cracks are apparent
on a casual examination, Will consider
them safe. The danger from this source
is really greater than appears at first
thought. The ruin wrought in the fine
residences is greater than is indicated by
outside appearances. An examination
shows that many Of them are so wrecked
| that 10 repair them Is out of the ques-
! ton. Not few OF them are own
ed by people who are not able to
rebuild them. They have been able to
| keep them aud live by the closest kind OF
economy. The lots they occupy may have
| to pass into other hands before the ruins
| will be removed and new structures
placed upon them. 1t will be hard for
those who own houses which have been
occupied by their families for generations
to give them up. Many of those who own
houses that can be repaired are not able
| to repair them. and hence perhaps many
fine houses will be patched up with the
hope that they will hold together for
awhile longer.
| The estimates of the damage done run
all the way from SO, 000, ,00v to $l0,000,000,
but no one can say what the damage is,
1t is simply immense. When it is known
| what buildings will have to come down.
| and what the extent Of the repairs to
those which will be pronounced sufi-
ciently substantial to be allowed TO stand
il, something like an accurate estimate Of
the property loss can be made, but that
will not include the whole loss to Charles
tOn--far from 1t.
| CONFIDENCE RETURNING.
The prevailing belief here tonight is
that the worst Is over, and that the in
babitants are reasonably secure from
| further visitations of earthquakes. This
| belief is based mainly upon the assur-
ances of scientists, who say there is only
the slightest probability of a recurrence
| OF more powerful shocks after the lapse
of so much time. With the feeling OF
comparative security thus engendered,
citizens who left the city in hot haste to
| elude danger have begun to return in
small numbers. aud visitors and sight
seers are putting in an appearance. Four
times as many people were registered for
| dinner at the hotels to-day than at any
| time since the first visitation OF the
earthquake, aud all the available rooms
at the various hotels are engaged for to-
| night.
| FEARS OF THE NIGHT.
Few, if any, of these rooms would be
occupied in case of another shock, and
that may come with the pressure OF the
tide at midnight. Very few of the regu-
lar Inhabitants will return to their homes
| during the week. In fact, 1t Is only the
most daring of strangers who yet venture
| inside of buildings, and these do SO be-
| cause they have no sure appreciation OF
| the effect that severe shock would have
at this time when the houses hang togeth-
er by slender threads. All OF the one or
| two thousand incomers OF to-day expressed
surprise at the enormousness of the de-
GtructIon. "Why," said one gentleman
from w Washington, II had no idea that
what had read was true. The people in
the North, and especially In New Eng
| land, believe the reports to have been eX-
aggerated. The accounts in the press
are read with great interest, but no one
has any idea of the true condition OF
Charleston"
EXAGGERATION IMPOSSIBLE.
In this connection, it is proper to state
that no reports have been received here
of n.ateria! misstatements. by the
newspaper representatives. Difficulty
would be encountered in attempting to
exaggerate the condition of Charles
ton at this time. Pedestrians
in their wanderings through the ruins
to-day discovered many new and interest
ing freaks OF the earthquake. Some Of
them were found at the residence of Maj.
j. IL. Robinson. well known citizen.
| His building was badly wrecked In some
places, while in others 1t seemed TO have
escaped injury.
SCENES IN A BEDROOM.
In one bedroom OF the house the
strangest freaks Imaginable took place.
ON the side OF the chamber oil paintings
were thrown from the wall with such
force as 10 destroy the canvas and crush
the frames, While on the mantlepiece, a
few feet away, IN the same room, stood
a slender, tall vase which retained its
perpendicular. On another wall in the
room two or three small photographs
in the frames were left undisturbed, while
within three feet OF them the plasterin <
was as il 1t were wrenched on and ground
into dust and the scantling 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.