Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-11-26

Wilmington was violently ahalyen nv
distinct earthquake shock about 2. SO
O'Clock Friday afternoon. The quake
was OF about three seconds duration,
and in addition TO the trembling of the
earth, dull rumbling noise was
heard. The motion appeared to be
from northwest to southeast, and the
accompanying noise, which apparently
came from northwesterly direction,
led the majority OF people in the city
who heard it to believe that there had
been powder mill explosion in the du
Point yards. Indeed that was the general
opinion at first and reporter Of
Tho Gazette sought that locality
without delay, but only to find that
there had been no explosion and people
in the vicinity of the mills were thor
oughly mystified.
That the earth had been shaken there
was no doubt. Many people on the
streets noticed this, but the shaking
was more apparent in tall buildings.
In fact in one four-story structure in
the heart of the city loose articles were
tumbled from the attic TO the top floor.
The windows also ratified, and people
in the building described the noise and
vibration as resembling that caused by
the rolling of heavy machinery. The
occupants of dwelling at Seventh and
Windsor streets report that clock on
a mantel was stopped and doors about
the place ratified. In fact, similar
reports came from all parts of the city
and adjacent country, but as far as
could be ascertained no serious damage
had been done in the vicinity of Will
mington. Many people were frightened,
I'M n puN attf .NE
houses. expecting see their homes
tumble down.
Some superstitious people were
wrought to high pitch of excitement,
many being of the opinion that the
beginning of the end of life on this
terrestrial ball was at hand.
The shake caused two or three small
stones in one OF the walls of Grace
Church to be loosensd, hut the building
was not damaged, while at the resi-
dence of Ijr. A. u. Frantz, on Della
ware avenue near Jefferson street, a
slight crack was noticed near one of
the chimneys. Several other buildings
in the city were slight ly damaged.
Court was in session ut the Court
House, and the noise and trembling of
the building was noticed by most of the
people there. Some were alarmed, but
their fears were soon allayed.
The shock was also felt in Brandy
wine hundred, Brandywine Village,
South Wilmington, CentreyiIe Kenneth
Square. but no serious results were
reported from any OF those places.
About half an hour after tho shock
was felt in Wilmington The Gazette
received telephone inquiry from West
Chester Pa, a gentleman in that
borough desiring TO know if there had
been powder mill explosion. Upon
receiving negative reply the Penn.
sylvanian stated that West Chester had
been shaken, and the geueral opinion
was that an earthquake had been
experienced.
Similar inquiries came from other
nearby towns, which was conlusive
proof that tho seismic disturbance was
general in this part of tho country.
As far as could be ascertained, the
shouk was felt but little, if any, in
Philadelphia, but at Chester it was quite
perceptible. the sensation being about
the same as IN Wilmington. A similar
report comes fiom cities and towns in
South Jersey.
Previous to Fridays earthquake
there had not been one of any import
ance since March 9Th, 1888, although
there was light shock on October 3lst
1895.