New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-09-06
CHARLESTONS MA YOR SHOCKED.
HE HEARS THE NEWS ON TIE ETRURIA.
RELIEF COMMITTEE TO ACT HERE APPOINTED by
HIM-sAD PLIGHT OF HIS FAMILY.


HIM-sAD PLIGHT OF HIS FAMILY.
The first knowledge which William Courtenay.
Mayor of Charleston. had of the disaster which had
befaen It's city received by him late Saturday
night. He was passenger on the steamship Etrura,
which sighted Of Fire Island late on Saturday
night Near Sandy Hook tugboat sent out by the
managers of the Cyde Steamship Line, Of which Mayor
Courenay is the Charleston agent, alongside and
put aboard large sack containing copies of the New
York papers giving the particulars Of the earthquake
and the condition Of the Charleston people and hun
dreds ofetters and kilograms from friends in South
Carolina The Mayor in the saloon when this bag
was brought to him. and his first impression wasthat
of his friends had sent it by way of practical
Joke. When he read the startling headlines in the
papers pcturing the of the people the city of
which he is the chief Officer he completely I'M
nervcd and when the passengers gathered about him
to extend their sympathy tears sprang to his eyes and
he could find words to respond. lie went at once
to his staterooia and spent the entire night in fam
larizng himself with the details of the catastrophe
When the Etrura reached her pier at z 80 a. m.
yesterday, he among the first TO leave the vessel
His baggage taken out Of the hold with all pos
sibe dispatch and the officers speedily exam
ined and passed it. j. b. Launeau. formerly OF
Char eston but now a resident of this city, greeted
the Mayor and the two were driven to the
New.York Hotel. Here q number Of New
York merchants who are directly or indirectly
connected with business enterprises Charleston were
assembled to express their sympathy and to advise as
to the most expeditions manner Of ahording relief to
the stricken people. The Mayor appalled, at the
extent of the damage and the individual suerings of
which he had learned through private and he
constantly paced the floor when talking on the sub
ect To TRIBUNE reporterhe said:
I can scarcely realize that our city has
passed through the experiences of which
read. When | went away Charleston was enjoying
business interests increasing rapidly, the city
seemed be entirely free from coDtssous diseases and
cities Aid now I return find tue city prac ally
Ieveed to the ground the inhabitants deiuorazrd aud
is at nist. II seems fearful blow. but Charles
will from it, she has from MANY nearly as
severe. Our people brave. industrious aud enter
pising prepared to work with vii t. estaD
sh The homes which have boon shaken dow about tuer
reads our situat is such that we can always COM
maud the bulk OF ihe trade 10 courteous lerrItoly
covering many hundreds OF miles ana "a ss
been light ere Is DO reason OF any inter-
or course we need help and plenty OF IT. AS far as
earn the condition Of IN" people IS plilahie FOR,
the season is 1t baud when heavy stor are almost
daily occurrences and shelter must be provided
Tents will TO suffer until buildings can ne erected
1t suggested to me to-day that large nunoert9I
owned by National Guard Regiments OF ,hs
state and Rave appointed committee, mloseh OF
William s. Hostile. Of Charleston. an Il. Khett ana
j. " Launeau OF inle city, 10 make VI
securing tets AMI canvas for making tents. Will re-
and he responsible for all teuts that may 1e tor
warded al exam 10 Of the lack OF 'elter nave
family that their only shelter ior Tue To-
our nights has been larg6 rpet LAID across sienue
framework on tue grounds ueaf my house nc house
has been dccl .red unsafe for habtntion hgn,
understand there Is much suffering on account OF
the lack food Large sums OF money are eqmred 10
provide for immediate necessities see that the people
OF York already come forw ara Monty a are
preparing to Their generosity VIII long
he remembered. ,.
II regret that some newspaper corre~pon EMS
are critlcSDg The efficiency OF the Charleston ponce
,orce and cty governemnt This Is an outrage at suci
a time AS tho present. what be- expected In such
a crisis esg ecally when the forty convicts who we're
released rom the prison are added to the ia"ies"
element OF the town.
Mayor Ccurtenay started for washing tonat 4:3o D. No.
He expects TO reach Charleston carly 'o-morro" moru
nY.
The committee appointed by Mayor Courtenay will
to-day establish headquarters at No. 3l7 Broadway
and other Giles Intended Tor the charleston
sufferers will be forwarded by them on the Steamer
n Iswnre which leaves Pier No. 81 North River on
Wednesday Articles will also be sent by express
through the companies which have offered to make no
charg fol service.