Omaha daily bee., 1897-06-01
SOLID GROUND IS SHAKEN
Earthquake in Middle Atlantic and South
ern States.
SHOCK OCCURS EARLY IN AFTERNOON
Duration OF Disturbance is About n
Minute and Little Damage Is
Done-Reports from Va
rious Localities.

rious Localities.
WASHINGTON, May 31.-A distinct but
slight earthquake was experienced this after
n1on throughout the middle Atlantic and
southern states. 1t is stated at the weather
bureau that the direction of the wave was
from south to north, but reports received
from various sections are conflicting. In
some localities 1t is stated the direction of
the disturbance was in an easterly to west
erly direction. but the records of the instru-
ments here probably are correct. The shock
occurred, as nearly as has been estimated, at
2 o'clock. In some localities the time is
given as 1858 and in others as late as 2:1O
and its duration was less than minute Aa
far can be learned Savannah Ca. was
the furthest point south at which the tremor
was felt, while the northern boundary of the
wave IVES middle Maryland. West, 1t was
felt as far as Knoxville, Tenn. The disturb
ance seems to have been most severe In the
Appalachian mountain region.
TENNESSEE.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. May Sl,-Two dis
tinct shocks of earthquake were felt in
Knoxville this afternoon at 1:15 o'clock. The
shocks were general throughout the city, al
though many people who felt them vary
as to the length, some claiming they
were at least half minute in length.
Several large buildings were badly shaken
and two chimneys fell. The movement of
the shocks SO far as can be ascertained in
this city was from west to east. Reports
from all over east Tennessee and southwest
Virginia indicate that in places the shock
was felt stronger than In Knoxville. At
Bristol it continued thirty seconds. 1t came
from the southwest and shook the buildings
Chimneys were thrown to the ground. At
Winston. n. c., three distinct shocks were
felt causing wild excitement. Middlesboro
KY, also felt the shock, as did also Barbours-
vile and Lynchburg, Ky.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, May 31.-A slight
earthquake shock was felt about 1:30 p. m.
today throughout east Tennessee from Bris
tol to Chattanooga. No damage is reported
but the shock was very perceptible.
VIRGINIA.
LYNCHBURG, Va, May 31.-A shock of
earthquake was experienced here at :5S this
afternoon. Bricks were shaken from a
number of chimneys and furniture and
crockery jostled. Considerable alarm was
created in some quarters. No damage
of consequence was done.
DANvILLE, Va, May 31.-At 1:5S
o'clock this afternoon shock of
earthquake was felt here and caused much
alarm. Buildings were shaken but no dam
age resulted. The shock which consisted
of three distinct vibrations and lasted over
one minute, was preceded by roaring sound
resembling that made by conflagration.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va, May 31.-A slight
earthquake shock was felt here this after
noon at o'clock. The disturbance was SO
mild that 1t was imperceptible to many
persons and no damage is reported.
PETERSBURG, Va, May 31.-An earth
quake shock was felt here at about los
o'clock, duration about 80 seconds.
NORFOLK, Va, May 31.-Two distinct
earthquake shocks were felt here this after
noon at 1857, lasting seven and eight seconds
respectively.
RICHMOND Va, May 31.-An earthquake
shock which lasted a few seconds was ex-
perienced here about / D. M TODAY. 1t
shook buildings and ratified windows, but NO
damage was done. The people in many build
ings were badly frightened.
OHIO
CINCINNATI. May 31-Shortly after l
o'clock an earthquake was felt here and in
the suburbs. The printers ran out of the
| Times-Star office. Occupants OF other build
ings were alarmed and at Convey Island
Chester Park. the Geological gardens and
elsewhere there was CONSERVATION. AT the
| lagoon on the Kentucky side there was q
panic among several thousand people ON
| the grounds. The waters in the lagoon
! were so rough that the lifesaving crew went
to the relief of those in the electric pleasure
boats.
distinctly all over Ohio, Kentucky and West
Virginia.
CLEVELAND, May 31,-At 12:4s O'Clock .
severe earthquake shock was felt at this
point.
COLUMBUS, O., May s1.-A slight sbocl,
OF earthquake was felt here about 1 D. m
GAINESVILLE. o.. May 31.-An earthquake
shock was felt here at about o'clock this
afternoon. The Courier building, four
stories high. exhibited decided vibrations.
To such an extent was this noticed that
employees on the fourth and third floors de-
serted, hurrying below, greatly frightened.
Tho motion was from east to west
WEST VIRGINIA.
CHARLESTON, w. Va, May 31.-At 2
O'Clock this afternoon a severe earthquake
was felt all over the city. In many buildings
the furniture was moved by the vibrations
The people were panic stricken and many
ran out Of the large business houses think
Ing the building was about to tumble down
The vibrations were from north to south and
lasted about fifteen seconds
CLARKSBURG, w. Va, May 31.-A severe
shock OF earthquake was felt In this city at
2 p. M, lasting twelve seconds followed by
second shock milder and OF shorter dura-
tion. The most substantial building In the
city rocked perceptibly and some of the occu-
pants were unable to keep their feet
WHEELING, w. Va. May 31.--At 2 O'Clock
this afternoon a distinct earthquake shock
was felt all over Wheeling and in the sur
rounding towns. II was violent enough to
shake brick buildings slightly.
HUNTINGTON, w. Va, May 31.-A dis
tinct shock OF earthquake. lasting ten
seconds was felt here at 2:0S this after
noon. 1t was felt through central West
Virginia and vibrated from east to west.
NORTH CAROLINA
CHARLOTTE, N. c., May Sl.-A very per-
ceptible earthquake of thirty seconds dura-
tions was felt here at 2 p. IN. Many of the
pictures In the art rooms of the women 5
exposition were found hanging out OF their
correct positions after IL was over. Bricks
were thrown from chimneys
GREENSBORO. n. c.. May S1-This city
was severely shaken by an earthquake a.
o'clock. but no damage was done. SINH
lar shocks are reported from many surround
ing towns.
WILMINGTON. N. c., May 31.-A slight
earthquake shock was felt here today al
2:l0 p. IN. The motion was from north 10
south.
RALEIGH. ". c., May 31.-Reports from
all over the state report an earthquake shock
between l:55 and p m. Very little dam
age was done.
WINSTON, N. c., May 31.-Three severe
shocks of earthquake were felt here at :
O'Clock today. Wild excitement prevailed
but no damage was done.
ASHEVILLE. n. c.. May s1.-At 1853 this
| afternoon an earthquake shock very percepti-
| bly, shook Asheville. Hundreds OF occu-
| pants OF buildings ran into the streets. Nc