Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1897-06-03
EARTHQUAKE SHOCK.
A Lively and Alarming Shakeup Extend
ina Over Large Territory.

On Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock the
heaviest earthquake shock that has been
known in this locality in the memory of
the oldest citizens, was felt. 1t was felt not
only by persons who were in houses but
by those standing and walking on the
streets. The shock was preceded by. a
low, rumbling noise somewhat similar to
thunder or the jar of heavy machinery.
The houses began to tremble and the
earth to quake. People rushed from their
homes in wild CONSERVATION. One young
lady was 30 alarmed that she ftnted. 1t
is amusing 10 hear the different experiences
of persons WHO felt the shock. The editor
had Just left his home in the east end and
was on his way to the REPUBLICAN Office.
We heard the roaring, rushing noise, but
at first could not determine what it meant,
until the earth began to tremble and we
saw people rushing from their houses and
heard them screaming earthquake. !"
The brick buildings on Main Street were
very much shaken, and the occupants
were greatly agitated when they heard
windows and wares on the shelves of the
stores rafting in that peculiar way that
com es only from an earthquake. The oc'
cupants of snch houses were not long in
getting out on the solid but trembling
earth.
From newspaper and telegraphic ac-
counts, the shock extended over consider
able territory, the severest shocks that were
experienced were at points in North
ern North Carolina, and in Southwest Vir-
ginia.
The most violent and long continued OF
which we have heard was at Pearisburg,
the county seat of Giles County,Va. From
gentlemen who was there at the time we
have received the following graphic
description of the awful visitant:
''The Judge of the circuit court had just
delivered his opinion on the rules Issued in
the case of Browning VS.. S. w. Va. Imp,
Co., and had accompanied my associates
to q law Office fol consultation. Just as we
we're seated, and without any warning,
sharp at o'clock. p. m, the furious
earthquake was shaking things up. The
assemblage was broken by leap into the
yard. Imagine the sharpest peal of thun-
der you ever heard nearest you, then in
crease this crash three-fold and you will
have some idea of the actual noise; sharp,
strong and appalling. 1t seemed that the
rock Strata under the old town was being
crushed to powder Ivy some mysterious
agency, and the noise was as great as if ii
were all grinding. The earth rocked, the
buildings trembled, and that daft or
crazy feeling that seizes one when awful
and uncomfortable dangers are about,
caught every soul. The houses cracked
and reeled; the bricks flew from off the
houses; riding horses secured to the racks
about, broke loose and fed and neighed;
the dust arose from the rolling earth and
trembling houses like the sweep from Q
simeon; men in maudlin craziness
counselled coolness;waltzed in each others
arms, others leaped fences and held their
hands over their heads; women screamed
and fled with their little ones; children
cried and ran around aimless and helpless
some wags had two cub bears on tie court
green and the little fellows scampered up
the trees and whined.
"While all looked terribly ugly. indeed
for while, no real or serious damage was
done; the noise was far exaggerated. nc
doubt, above the force at work beneathi
and the knowing ones say that New River
is on the track of the earthquake, that the
mountains there had concentered its force
and that the subterranean caverns beneath
that quiet old town, gave echo to TIE
quaking ravager. The consequent settling
of the earth that evening was sublime and
impressive, now and then the ominous
rumbling sounds resembling the far of
fury of q thunder storm. The waters ran
muddy and great boulders weighing tons
were thrown from the cliffs along the rail
way into the river"