Smyrna times., 1895-09-04
Effects of the Earthnnake-

The earthquake that was felt alone
the Atlantic coast on Sunday morning
from New York to Delaware. was
fortunately not very severe in It's re-
suits. It's occurrence was shortly after
6 o'clock, and IN the stll quie of a
sabbath morning before the most of
people were astir, was noticeable in
| Smyrna to those who were awake and
! particularly observed by the writer. II
seemed more like a slight up-lift than
a shake, hut did make the windows
rattle, and seemed all over in two or
three seconds. 1t was felt in Whining
ton, but more distinctly so in Philadel.
phia and New Jersey.
The Press, of Monday, in speaking of
| it, said:
An earthquake shock awoke thous-
ands of people in the city from their
Sunday morning slumbers shortly after
b O'Clock yesterday. Buildings shook
and windows ratified as though a cara
van of heavily loaded wagons were
being driven past the doors.
Ihere was not portion of the citv
where the shock was not distinctly felt
1t came suddenly, without warning.
and houses shook beneath its power
like quivering beasts that fear has
stricken. The vibrations continued for
about fOrty-fve seconds. The shock
awoke many people and after it had
passed there were many who wondered
what had happened.
Beyond startling people generally,
no other effects of the shaking up have
been learned, except one slight accident.
A bulk window in the store of Michael
Lett, 1914 Germantown Avenue. was
cracked its entire length by the shock.
In West Philadelphia the pulsations
were very distinct. In some houses
brlc-a brac and statuettes on the walls
and mantels were shaken so much that
they fell. In the northwest the shock
was also perceptible. 1t gave people a
sensation something like a violent ague
while windows ratified, stairs creaked
aud things were shaken up generally.
In Germantown and vicinity the
shock was distinctly felt and was the
one topic of conversation all dav. The
hrst impression of almost all who were
awake was that a violent explosion had
occurred at no great distance, aud this
idea was held by many until quite late
IN the day, although no sound was
heard.
The earthquake was verv plainlv
felt throughout the northeastern sec
ton, and up in Frankford and Taconv
the seismic quiVering, accompanied bv
rum0llng sound, gave people the inn
preston that terrific explosion had
occurred, In several instances crock
cry was shaken of of shelves. 1t was
popularity associated with an explosion
at the Dupont powder mill, and specu-
lation was rife as to the number of
people who might have been killed.
In Manayunk, Roxborough and Wis
9ahicken the shock was plainly felt
Citizens arose from their beds in con.
sternatiOn, rushing outdoors in undress
garments IN many cases. Windows
ratified, chandeliers jingled and dishes
shook around in the cupboards.
The oscillations were from the north. |
east to the southwest, This fact was
dem 0nstrated by the way the trees
bent backward and forward at the time. |
Persons who were on the street stated |
that their progress in walking was for
the moment stopped. The pavement
appeared to rise up and then sink down
again. At the same time the trees be-
gan to bend toward the southwest. and
then swayed to the northeast, There
was no wind blowing at the time. but
the sudden movement of the trees
caused the leaves to make a sound
similar to stiff breeze blowing as the
limbs cut through the air. Persons
rushed from their houses, fearing that
the Buildings you'd collapse. There
were no damages reported in any part
Of Camden, The shock was not as
heavy as the one felt about pine years
ago, when several person were injured.