Evening star., 1935-11-03
By John CIagen Proctor.
recent coincidental stories


concerning the earthquake at
Helena, Mont, and the visit
L made by President Franklin
Delano Roosevelt to Charleston, S. c.,
brought to mind the disastrous earth
quake that wrecked the last-named
city on Tuesday night, August 81.
1886, when Grover Cleveland was
occupying the White House.
Upon the occasion of President
Roosevelt's visit, Mayor Burnet R.
Maybank issued a proclamation de-
claring Wednesday, October %. holi-
day in honor of the distinguished
guest who arrived that day on the
cruiser Houston, while on his way to
Washington from his trip to the
Pacific Coast, and where he was ac-
corded an enthusiastic reception.
The chances are that few Of those
who welcomed the President remem-
bered the great earthquake that de-
stroyed the larger part of that de-
lightful Southern city nearly half a
century ago, when its population in
cluded about $4,000 persons. The
writer recalls this notable event,
though he admits it did occur during
his courtng days, when young people
are not expected to remember very
much. At the time, it was one OF the
worlds outstanding calamities, and
the most disastrous earthquake that
this country had suffered until then.
The shock was more or less general
throughout the Atlantic seaboard area,
and Washington, itself, suffered a
severe shaking-up that many, no
doubt, still recall. The writer to re-
inforce his memory of the event in
order to describe just what occurred
In Washington at that time consulted
the files of The Star, and this is what
he found in the issue of September l,
1886:
AN earthquake of considerable vio-
lence was experienced in this city last
evening, the first tremor occurring a
few moments before 10 o'clock, was
followed by another about 10 minutes
later. The quake was so alarming
that many persons in panicky con-
dition made their way from buildings
to the street. The shocks made them
selves manifest everywhere by the
vibration of chandeliers, the rattling
Of loose windows, and doors, and the
rocking of movable objects. In the
Corcoran Building, cu Fifteenth
street; the Evans Building, on New
York avenue; the hotels in the vicin-
1ty; the Post Building, on Tenth
street; the Grand Army Hall, on Ninth
street; Masonic Temple, on F street,
and other tall buildings and in the
department buildings, the occupants
felt the shock and hurried from the
buildings. There was a great deal of
alarm manifested at this unusual oc-
currence, and some people in their
fright reported the fact to the police.
The central portions of the city
seemed to have experienced the shock
more generally, although reports from
all sections of the city indicate that
1t was not confined to small area.
The telegraph operators in Atlanta a
few minutes before this had notified
the Washington Western Union opera
tors that the shock was coming and
to look out for it, but no attention
was paid to the warning, as it was
regarded as q joke.
A T Albaugh's Opera House, where
"a the Summer opera company was
singing the Mascot when the first
shock occurred, it was felt distinctly
;r,
Of whom being alarmed started hastily
to leave. Those sitting in the lower
part of the house did not at once dis
cover the cause for the movement, but
supposed there was fight. A panicky
feeling prevailed and many rose to go.
Gentlemen in different parts of the
house rose and shouted to people to
sit down Order was soon restored
though not until many Of those in the
gallery had made their exit. A few
minutes later q second shock occurred
and many of those remaining IN the
gallery concluded it was time to go
and went. Thus, when the third act
opened, about half the audience was
gone"
JcduluS w l1lcIOA1s WAAo aASA e~A S>>~>
city q year or two ago. had been play
ing a Summer engagement at Al
baush's previous to this occasion. but
upon this particular night the prin-
cipal roles were taken by actors not
90 well known as this beloved oper-
attic favorite of that period, though
The Star spoke well Of the cast in its
write-up, saying:
1.-THE tuneful numbers of Audran's
always delightful Mascot were rem
dered with good effect by the COM
pany at this house last night, and
none of the many opportunities for
funmaking which the opera affords
were allowed to pass unimproved by
Louis De Lange, the Lorenzo, and MIR.
s. w. Keene, the Rocco. Miss Louise
6earle, though unwell, made a spirited
Bettina, and she and Mr.. Stuart Har:-
old. the Pippo. gave the charming
gobble song admirably. The choruses
were effective and Mr.. Itzel conducted
the orchestra noticeably well"
At the Portland. .tust south Of