Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1886-08-31
distance. This is the only wave felt

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plete wreck. st. Michael's and st.
Phillips churches. two of the most
historic churches in the city, are in
ruins; so is Hibernian Hall, the po'.
lice station and many other public
buildings, and fully two-thlrds of the
residences in the city are uninhabit>
ed. being wrecked either totally or
partially. tits impossible, at this time
to give correct estimate of the
casualties. 1t is expected that be-
tween fifty and one hundred persons
have been killed, and several hun.
dred wounded. About twenty house
es were destroyed by fire. Scarcely
one hundred houses in the city are
occupied at this time, the people
being all encamped in open places.
All the stores Gre closed and scar
city of provisions is feared, not from
want of provisions, but because no
one can be got to reach the store to
sell them.
COLUMBIA -Summerville, twenty
two miles from Charleston, was near
ly destroyed by the earthquake last
night. The pass enger train from this
place to Charleston was thrown from
the track near Summerville, and the
engineer and fireman were killed.
The passengers on the wrecked train,
and those on this mornings train, in
Guiding the telegraph company s
linemep, have not reached Charles
ton.
COLUMBIA, S. Cat 9: AS last night
this city was visited by a terrible
earthquake. The first two shocks
were fearful. Buildings swayed
from si6e to side, and the earth rose
and fell like waves Of the ocean. The
people rushed madly from their
homes into the streets Some sprang
from windows and were injured. The
experience of those in buildings at
the time of the:firs shock was that
of being rocked as if in ship at sea.
Many of the most substantial build
ings were shaken to their founda-
lions and walls cracked and sprung.
Five minutes after the first shock the
second came, and ten minutes later a
third. Other shocks followed until
EOS this morning.
RALEIGH n. c., Aug 31.-Earth.
quake shocks were felt here tonight,
beginning at $50 and continuing
nearly six minutes. Buildings rock
ed, walls cracked floors broke loose
from their supports, chimneys fell
and lamps were overturned. The
shocks lasted over five minutes. The
motion Of the earth was decided. The
streets were rapidly filled with peo-
pie Screams of frightened people
could be heard The negroes were in
great fear. Such decided shocks
were never felt here before. Reports
show that shocks were felt all over
the Safe. AT Wilmington there were
v9ry severe shocks which came near
wrecking several buildings. 1t is
sefe to say that no such excitement
was over known here as this earth
quake shock has caused.
INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 81. Shock felt
here at $3.50.
CHARLESTON, S. C.-The first shock
of the earthquake was felt approach
ing last night at $50, and before the
people could realize what the trouble
was they found themselves being
thrown around and their houses fall
ing down on them. Every one ran
screaming into the streets, aud in
few seconds the city was wild with
human beings perfectly crazed with
fright. On all sides you could hear
EXPLANATIONS such as my God, save
us.'"God have mercy upon US sin>
ners" and people could be seen every>
where kneeling in groups offering up
prayers The first shock was follow.
ed Immediately by another, though
of less effect, but renewing screams
and shrieks, and from the time of the
beginning to daylight shocks we're
felt at intervals of every half hour,
but each succeeding one being less
distinct. Three or four fires started
IN as many sections with the first
shock. and the city was soon lllumi-
mated with the flames. thus leading
all to believe that what was left by
the earthquake would be devoured by
the fire. However. the fire depart,
rnent was so well divided and ham
died that the fires were gotten under
control by daylight. From fifteen
to twenty residences were consumed.
The Ioss by fire and the earthquake
cannot be accurately estimated, but
can be placed safely at five million
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