Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1886-09-11
A RUINED CITY.
WRECKED BY AN EARTHQUAKE.
The City of Charleston, S. c., Almost
Destroyed and Many People
Killed.

the entire section east of the Mississippi river
has been terrible calamity to Charleston,
the city heing laid in ruins to great extent
and the people driven to the lots and public
parks, with such shelter as they can impro-
wise The disaster is appalling and its full
magnitude cannot yet be estimated. There
are many dead and wounded, and the
homeless survivors are suffering great priva-
tions. Railroad communications have been
interrupted, and people cannot get away
from the city.
CHARLESTON, s. c., September Shortly
after 10 o'clock an earthquake of such vio>
lence as had never before been experienced
in this city occurred. The whole city was
shaken violently, causing a heavy loss of life
and doing immense damage to property.
The city Is one mass Of wreckage, the streets
are completely blockaded with the debris of
ruined houses, telegraph piles, trees, wires,
etc. Vehicles of any kind cannot be driven
through the streets. while pedestrianisrn is
both dangerous and difficult. Tue people
have been in the streets since the occurrence
of the first shock, wringing their hands AMI
crying aloud to God to save them. Whole
families passed the night cuddled together
n open space, some Of them praying contin>
uousy, imploring Divine intercesson Opin-
ions differ as to the number of shocks which
occurred.
rIs earthquake destroyed the principa'
business portion of the city and hundreds er
rendered homeless. The main station use
the City hall, Hibernian-hall and au
other well,known public buildings, inclu una
the never>dying st. Michaei's church, were
irreparably damaged. Broad street presented
spectacle of the utmost horror. Even
women with hatchets worked to rescue the
imprisoned unfortunates. Meeting street,
from Broad to Hazel, is a wreck, and lined
with homeless people. To add to the horror
of the night fires broke out and were ineffec-
tually fought by the fire department. The
night was made hideous with the dying
groans of the wounded, and the prayers of
uninjured. Up to 10 o'clock next morning
ten distinct earthquake shocks We're felt
At $50 precisely next morning another
wave swept over the city, coming as the
others from the southeast, and going in
northwest direction. By that time the people
who had been out in the public parks AMI
open places all night, and many of them ven
tured into their houses to get some clothing
and something to eat. The approach of the
quake was heralded by the usual rumblng
sound resembling distant thunder Then it
gradually approached, the earth heaved and
in three seconds it had passed, the sound dy>
ing out in the distance. This is the only wave
felt since $3.50 this morning. 1t was not de-
structive, all the destruction having been
done at 9:55 last night.. The city is com,
plete wreck. st. Michael's church and St.
Philips, two of the most historic churches in
the city, are in ruins; 50 is the Hibernian
hall. The police stations and many other
public buildings fully two:thirds of the resi-
dences in the city are uainhabitable, wrecked
either totally or partially.
Not single place of bu sir ,ss in the CITY is
open, save drug store, which is busy pre-
pairing ptions for the wounded 1t is
impossible also to give any correct estimate
of the killed and wounded, as bodies are con.
stantly being disinterred from the debris of
wrecked houses. Many of the dead are lying
unburied, these being of the poorer classes Of
colored people who await burial by the
&C unity. There are not half-doz IN tents in
the city and the women and childrei are ex-
periencing great privatious in consequence.
Owing to the demoralized condition of
| everything it is impossible to give correcf
facts further than this: The NUMBER of cas-
ualties has not been ascertaiued; probably
from thirty to forty killed and over 100 in
iured. The loss of property will probably
reach 100000 or $40, oGO,0O,. Three fourths
of the buildings in the city will have to be
rebuilt. There was very little shipping in
port, and none Of it was injured Tho dis,
turbances have not at all affected the water
in the har Dor, although it is evident that all
The shocks cana from a south oasterly direc-
zion, and therefore from the sea. There are
no signs Of tidal wave as yet.
At II 80 Wednesday night an other shock
occurred, rather more severe than any since
the knocking down of several houses
The most severe damage was done by the
earthquake on the Sand Hills in Georgia and
in Aiken county, South Carolina In Lang>
ley the 700 dams have been broken, the South
Carolina Railroad washed away, and loss of
life entailed. An engine was ditched and the
engineer and fireman killed. A mixed train
went down at Horse Creek, within q few
miles of Augusta, and the fireman was killed,
md the horses in two stock cars were
drowned. This train is entirely submerged.
MORE SHOCKS.
At about II, Friday night another shock
Of earthquake was felt all along the Southern
Atlantic coast. 1t was not attended by any
damage SO far as can be learned, but it was
strong enough to cause stampede from
their instruments Of the telegraph operators
in Charleston, Augusta and Columbia, and
probably other places. They soon returned,
however, and resumed business. The shake
was felt from Jacksonville to Washington.
1t was plainly perceptible in Washington,
but not so strongly as on Tuesday night.
A special dispatch from Beaufort says neal
Coosaw Mines there Is a crack in the earth
200 feet long and inches wide at the top,
On st. Helena Island off Beufert coast, sew
eral large openings were made, and piles Of
mt and sand were forced up.
AUGUSTA, Ga, Sept. 5.-There was a
slight shock this evening at 10:4) accompan-
led by low rumbling noise.
MACON, GA, Sept 5.-A distinct shock
was felt here tonight at 10:OS. Although it
was not severe, it created considerable anxi-
ETY.. Women, from the past few days ex-
80