Newspaper Page Text
i ESTABLISHED 1850. I
jj. H. ESTILL, Editor mil Proprietor.!
Cbailestoa's tail!
Thirty to Forty People
Reported Killed.
FIVE MILLIONS IN LOSSES.
The Streets Blocked with
Fallen Buildings.
SHOCKS STILL IN PROGRESS.
More Structures Collapse at
Midnight.
FIRE ADDS ITS HORRORS
Tiie People Too Terrified to
Notice the Flames.
NAMES OF THE INJURED.
Further Details from the Strick
en City.
Charleston, S. C., Sept. I.—The com
positors of the News and Courier decline
to work to-night, expecting fresh shocks
of earthquake, and the paper cannot
therefore issue to-morrow.
The fol’owing article was prepared for
publication in the News and Courier. It
Is telegraphed almost in the writer’s own
words:
Necessarily the only description that
Can be given the disaster which has be
fallen our city consists iu the narration of
experiences and observations of individ
uals, and the subject being the same, and
the experiences of all being nearly alike,
the story told by one careful observer
may well stand tor a hundred others with
slight variations. Probably the best idea
that can be had of the character of dis
turbance, therefore, may be obtained from
a narrative of the events and scenes of
Tuesday night as they were presented to
n single person while engaged in his usual
duties in the second story of the News
and Courier.
THE FIRST SHOCK.
At the time oi the first shock the writ
er’s attention was vaguely attracted by a
sound which seemed to come from the
office below, and which was supposed lor
a moment to be caused by the rapid move
meut of a heavy body like an iron safe or
heavily laden truok over the floor. Ac
companying the sound was a perceptible
tremor of the building, not more marked,
Lowever, than would be caused by the
passage of a street car or a dray along the
bire*, t. For perhaps two or three seconds
the occurrence excited no surprise or
comment. Then by swift degrees, or per
haps all at once, it is difficult to say
which, the sound deepened in volume,
the tremor became more decided, the ear
caught the rattle of windows, gas fixtures
and other loose objects.
STAMPEDE OF THE MEN.
The meu in the office, with perhaps a
simultaneous flash ot recollection of ihe
disturbance ol the Friday betore, glanced
hurriedly at each other and sprang to
their feet vrith the startled question and
answer, '‘What is that!'” “An eartb
quuke!” And then all was bewilderment
*>id confusion. The long roll deepened
nil spread Into an awful roar that seemed
to pervade at once the troubled earth
ltd the still air above and around.
THE TERRORIZING TREMOR.
The tremor was now a rude, rapid quiv
tr. that agitated the whole lofty strong
tailed building as though it were being
tnaken by tbe hand of an immeasurable
l" "er with an intent to tear its joints as
under and scatter its stones and bricks
>Ol oid aft a tree casts its ripened fruit
to,me tue breath of a gale. There was
n 'intermission tn the vibration of tbe
tug uy r ngine. From first to last it was
* continuous jar, only adding force at
tyer.v moment, and as it approached its
C-bmix it seemed for a few terrible sec
or.ds that no work of human hands
COU, <l possibly survive. The floors
"•“re heaving the surrounding
JJ 1 ’ 11 “, and partitions visibly swayed, the
cr> eh ot falling masse* of stone ami brick
®>u luortar was overhead, and without a
terrible roar filled the ears and seemed to
biitiu- mind and heart., dazing perception
*nd bewildering thought.
WAITING FOR DEATH.
Tor a lew panting breaths, or while you
held your breath, In dreadltil anticipation
rv, and cruel death, you felt
tout life was already past and waited for
f, 'hdas a victim with his tiead on the
mock awaits the tail of the ax. It is not
?>H‘ii to many ineu to leok in the face of
me destroyer R, *d y*t live, but ‘ l >® little
to say that tbe group of strong
" who shunned tue experience
* , v ® faintly described will carry
1 1 ibem a recollection of that supreme
|:| 10 “tttut to their dying day. None ex
pected to escapt. Tub people fled to
place* of safety. but before the door w is
trin i *" KO,no places, they reeled over
pr.u lell, feeling that it was only a quoe
b l lle, ‘th In the building, or without
L buried by the sinking roof or crushed
Pl’Hhg walls. The uproar slowly
lied away p, the Baora ing distance.
I SHRIEKS OF THE INJURED.
I • he earth was still, and oh! blessed re
l, or that stlllnas*! But how rudely the
I etice was broken as wo dashed down
r' (,i J i r andout Into the street! Already
P every side arose shrieks, cr.os of pain
leur, prayero and wailings ot terrified
■mi ll and colldren, commingled with
Hr boarse sbouls of men. Out In the
w*ct the air was tilled to the
Meet of the houtos with a whitlah
K , of dry, atlfling dust
the lime and mortar and shattered
wnich, lalling upon the pave
and stone roadway, had been re-
duced to powder. Through this oloud,
dense as a fog, gas lights flickered dimly,
shedding but little light, so that you
stumbled at every step over piles of brick,
or became entangled in lines of telegraph
wires that depended in every direction
from their broken supports.
FLIGHT OF THE PEOPLE.
On every side were the hurrying forms
oi men and women, bareheaded, some al
most nude, and many of whom were
crazed with fear or excitement. Hero a
woman is supported, half fainting in the
arms ot her husband, who vainly tries to
sooth her while he carries her into an
opon space, where present safotv seems
assured: there a woman lies on the pave
ment, with upturned face and outstretch
ed limbs, and a crowd passes her by for a
time, not pausing to see whether she be
alive or dead; a sudden light flares
through a window overlooking the street.
4 CRY OF FIRE AND A NEW SHOCK.
It becomes momentarily brighter and a
cry of “firel” resounds from the multi
tude. A rush is made toward the spot.
A man is seen doubled up and helpless
against the wall, but at this moment
somewhere at sea, overhead, deep in the
ground is heard again the low, ominous
roll which is already too well known to
be mistaken. It grows louder and nearer,
like the growl of a wild beast swiftly
approaching his prey, and all is forgotten
again in the frenzied rush for the open
space, where alone there is hope of secur
ity, lAint though it be. The tall build
ings on either hand blot out the skies and
stars, and seem to overhang every foot of
ground. Between them shattered corni
ces aud coping.
READY TO FALL.
The tops of their frowning walls seemed
piled on both sides. It seems that a touch
would now send the shattered masses left
standing down upon the people below,
who look up to them and shrink together
as the tremor of the earthquake again
passes under them and mysterious reverb
erations roll along like some infernal drum
beat summoning them to die,and it passes
away aud is again experienced. Blessed
leeling of deliverance from impending ca
lamity. Again, far along the street and
up from the alleys leading into on either
side is beard that chorus of wailing aud
lamentation which, though it had not
ceased, was scarcely noticed the moment
belore. It is a dreadful sound, the sound
of helpless, horror-stricken humanity,
old, young, strong and feeble alike, where
all are feeble, calling for help Iroiu their
fellow creatures, and raising their an
guished voices to Heaven for mercy,
where no human aid could avail.
BEYOND DESCRIPTION.
It is not a scene to be described by any
mortal tongue. It is not a scene to be tor
gotten when it has been witnessed and
when a witness has shared all its dangers.
The first shock occurred at seven minutes
of 10 o’clock, as was indicated this morn
ing by the publio clocks. The hands on
ail of them had stopped at that hour, as
though to mark the end of time for so many
who had heard the preceding heur plealed
forth by St. Michael’s cuiraes without
thought but or a long and nappy life. The
seoond shock was but faint and crisp
compared with the first. As it
passed away the writer started
home to find the scenes enacted
on Broad street, around the News and
Courier office, repeated at every step of
tbs way. St. Michael’s steeple towered
high. The station bouse, a massive
building across the street, had appa
rently lost its roof, which had
falleu in. A little further on the
room oi the portico of Hibernian Hall,
a handsome building in Grecian style,
had crashed to the ground, carryingdown
part of tne massive granite pillars with
it. All the way up Meeting street, which
in respect of its general direction and im
portance, may necalled the “Broadway of
Charleston,” the roadway was piled with
debris from the tops ot walls.
In passing the Charleston Hotel which,
to carry out the comparison above indi
cated, occupies a position of Stewart’s up
town store in New Fork, a third shock was
felt about ten minutes after the second,
and of course caused the greatest alarm
in that neighborhood as elsewhere. At
Marion square, corresponding exactly
with Union square. New York, a great,
croWM had collected, as even the edges of
the wide spaces embraced in it could not
be reached by the nearest buildings in the
event of their fall.
THE FIRES UNNOTICED.
From this crowd, composed of men,
women and children of both races, arose
incessant, calls aud cries and lamenta
tions, while over the motley, half dressed
throng was shed the lurid light of the
conflagration which had broken out just
beyond tbe square, immediately after ihe
flrst shock, and now wholly enveloped
several buildings in flames. In three
quarters of the town at tbe same time
similar large tires were observed under
lull headway, and the awtui significance
Of the earthquake tnay be most fully ap
preciated, perhaps, when it is said that
with these tremendous fires blazing up
all at once around them and threatening
the city with total destruction, the people
wnow you met on the streets,
or saw gathered together in groups
in the open places, evidently did not
give them a thought. No one watched
the ruddy flames or pillars of cloud rising
high into tno still night air. All were too
intent on listening with strained senses
tor the dreaded recurrence of that hor
rible growl or groan ot the power under
the seas and under the land to give
thought to new terrors, though it had
threatened many homes in tbe doomed
city. Crowds poured in from every direc
tion to the square just described, as
though it hail been indeed a charmed
circle, and life depended on passing
within its grassy bounds.
ANIMAL!! TERRIFIED.
Street cars, carriages and other vehicles
were ranged in lines on the streets sur
ruuuding the square, while horses stood
stock still with turned heads, a* though
sniffing the ground in anxious inquiry.
The colored people everywhere were loud
and increasing in their declarations of
alarm, in the singing of hymns and in fer
vent appeals for God’s mercy, in which
appeals, God knows, many a proud heart
woo heard them arising in the night of
His wondrous might devoutly aadhuinbly
and sincerely joined.
RANKS LEVELED.
Danger brines us all to the level of the
lowliest. There were no distinction of
place or power, pride or cast iu tno as
semblages that were gathered in Charles
ton on Tuesday night. it was a curious
spectacle to look back upon. It is a good
one to remember tor white and black
alike. There were lnsiances of uuselfish
devotion, of kind and loving regard be
tween master and sorvant. mistress and
maid, In tne presence of the coinmob ill
aud of the threatened ruin that showed,
us nothing else oould show, bow strong is
tbe tie that binds our white people and our
black people together, and this lesson of
the dread visitor we may hope, too, will
never be forgotten. Arrived at hts home,
the writer found the same soenes of dis
traction and wreok which ruled In nearly
every other homo In the city. Ail the
bon*es in tbe neighborhood had suffered
seriously, and streets, yards and gardens
SAVANNAH, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2. 188(5.
were filled with fallen chimneys and frag
ments of walls, wuile the vvallstnat were
left standing were rent asunder in many
cases from top to bottom, and were badly
shattered in every instance.
ROUSED OUT OF THEIR SLEEP.
Women and children roused from sleep
or interrupted in their evening pursuits
by the sound of ruin being effected above
and around them rushed out into the
streets and huddled together awaiting the
end, whatever it might be. Invalids
were brought out on mattrasses and de
posited on tho roadway. No thought was
given to treasures left behind in the ef
fort to save the peculiar treasure of life
itself, which suddenly became so prec
ious in the eyes of all, invalid women and
robust man alike, until long alter mid
night the streets were filled with fugi
tives in sight of their houses. Through
the long hours that followed few were
the eyes even of childhood that were
closed in sleep. Charleston was full of those
who watched for morning, and never, in
any city in any land, did the first gray
shades that mark the approach of dawn
appear so beautiful and so wtdeome
to the eye as they appeared to the thou
sands of people who hailed them this
morning from the midst of countless
wrecked homes in our thrice scourged
but still patient, still still hopeful,
still beautiful, City by the Sea.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
Another account says: An earthquake
such as has never before been known in
the history of thiscity swept over Charles
ton last night shortly after 10 o’clock,
causing more loss and injury to property
and far more loss of life than the cyclone
oi the year before. The first snock was
by far the most severe. Its effect can be
judged by the experience oi Capt. Daw
sou, oi the News and Courier, who lives
in a massive brick residence in Bull
street near Rutledge street. Capt. Daw
son was in bis room on the sec.md floor
when tae firstehook occurred. The house
seemed literally to turn on its axis. The
first shook was followed by a second and
third less severe than the first. The air
was filled with the cries and
shrieks of women and children.
From every side of that quiet
neighborhood came the cry, “God
help us,” “God 6ave us.” It was worse
than the worst battle of the war When
the first agony was over it was found that
the celling oi every room in the nouse
was cracked. Tho big cistern was
broken apart, a huge tank in the attic
waspounug its flood of water into the hod
rooms. In the parlors statues had beeu
wrenched from their bases and thrown to
the floor. In the hall a massive lamp had
actually been turned around, in lront of
the house was a large porch, with heavy pil
lars and solid marble steps. All this was
swept away, as though it had been shaved
off with a razor. Capt. Dawson’s expe
rience was that of hundreds of others in
Charleston. There were in all five shocks,
diminishing in violence from the first.
Tae streets were dotted with mothers,
wives and daughters waiting in anxious
expectation still another agony. The air
was thick with horrid rumors and the
lurid glare of fires that heightened the
general ruin.
Owing to the demoralized condition of
everything here it is impossible to give
correct facts lurtber than that the num
ber of casualties has not yet been ascer
tained, but is probably from 30 to 40
killed and over 100 injured. The loss to
property will probably reach $8,000,000
or $10,000,000. Three-iourths of the
buildings in the city will have to be re
built. There was very little shiping in
port and none otit was injured. The dis
turbances have not at all affected the
water in the harbor, although it is evi
dent that all the shocks came from a
southeasterly direction, and therefore
from tne sea. There are no signs of a
tidal wave as yet.
COMING OF THE DISTURBANCE.
The first shock ot earthquake was felt
approaching last night at 9:50 o’clock,
and before the people could realize wbat
the trouble was tuey found themselves
being thrown around and their houses
falling down on them. Every one ran
screaming into the streets, and in a few
seconds tne city was filled with people
perfectly crazed with fright. On all sides
you could hoar exclamations such as
’‘my God, save us;” “God have mercy
upon us sinners,” and people could tie
seen kueelitigevery where in groups offer
ing up prayers. The first shook was fol
lowed immediately by another, though of
less effect, but renewing soreamsand
shrieks. From tbe time of the beginning
to daylight shocks were felt at intervals
of hall an hour, but each succeeding one
being less distinct. Three or four fires
started in as many sections with the flrst
shock, and the city was soon illnminated
with flames, thus leading all to believe
that what was iett by the earthquake
would be devoured by fire. However, the
fire department was so well drilled and
bandied tnat the fires were gotten under
control by daylight. From fifteen to
twenty residences and stores were con
sumed. The loss by t he fire and earthquake
cannot be accurately estimated, but can
be placed safely at, $5,900,000. As far as
could be ascertained during tbe night
fifteen to twenty were killed aud a much
greater number were wounded in all sorts
of wavs. The loss of human life will be
large and it will take days to get at tbe
accurate number. Shocks equally as se
vere were felt at a distance ot tblrty-tlve
miles and have done inestimable damage
to railroad and telegraph property.
Charleston was entirely isolated Irom the
outside world.
WRAPPED IN GLOOM.
The city is wrapped in gloom and busi
ness is entirely suspended. The people
generally remain in the streets in tents
and under improvised shelters, and will
camp out to-night,fearing another shock.
The gas works are injured, and probably
tbe city will be without Lght to-night.
St. Michael’s church is shattered, ana the
steeple will come down, and tho stee
ple of the Unitarian church has
fallen. The portico# of Hibernian
Hall and the main station house
ure demolished. There is much injury to
mansions on the east and south Battery.
Tbe portico of the ltavenel mansion is
down. Hardly a house In the city escaped
Ir.jurv, and many are so shaken and
cracked that a hard blow would bring
them to the ground. The shock Was
severe at Summerville. Mount Pleasant
and Sullivau Island, but no loss of life is
reported there. Fissures in the earth are
noticed, from which tine sand apparently
from a groat depth exudes. The sulphu
rous smell is very noticeable.
TWO MORE SHOOKS.
Two slight shocks of earthquake have
been felt here since morning. The first
was at B:2* o'clock this morning, and one
at about 1:30 o’clock tins afternoon.
Neither of them did any further damage.
SOME OF THE CASUALTIES.
From tbe long hut imperfect list of cas
ualties tbe following are taken:
Mrs. Williams jumped from the sec
ond story of her residence at the corner of
Wentworth and .Meeting streets, and In
jured her spine badly.
Mrs. Robert Martin, wife of a shoe
merchant in Market street, near King,
wae badly hurt-
N. .T. Lyuoh was desperately hurt in
front of his son’s store in Meeting street.
A stone of great weight fell upon him and
broke one of his legs, if not both, and be
is supposed to be dying.
Edward Livelv, of Richmond, Va., was
walking in front of the City Hospital. A
side of the house fell on him and badly
injured his back and head. He crawled
from under the debris and saw some men
at a store on the oornor of Mazyck and
Queen streets whom he supposed to have
been killed, as ho left, them lying on the
sidewalk. He staggered on as tar as the
City Hall Park and there fell completely
overcome.
OTHERS DEAD.
Among those who were killed were Su
san Middleton, colored, and another col
ored woman. Both were crushed under a
fallen portico oi tho main station house on
Mary street, near Meeting. The house
was shaken down, but all the inmates es
caped except a little colored child, who
was crushed to death just as the first
shock came. A wagon bearing
two men was passing the
the corner of Reid and King streets, when
the gable end of the store on the corner fell
and covered the unfortunates with debris,
one of whom was killed. It was very
late when his body was extricated, and it
was impossible to ascertain bis name.
W. J. Flynn, a compositor on the News
and Courier, jumped fro a the window of
the ooraposing room into a side alloy
when the first shock came. He was badly
injured.
Dr. R. Alexander, a young chemist, ran
out of his house and was orushed to death
Dy a tailing chimney.
Mr. Hammond, brother of Isaac Ham
mond, Is thought to be fatally wounded,
both his hips and legs being broken and
also his left arm. He said he did not
know whether he jumped from a third
story window on Broad street or was
thrown. He crawled from the sidewalk
to the middle or the road.
Ainsiy Robinson was killed by the fall
ing ot a piazza.
J. C. K. Richardson, living at No. 12
Friend street, was seriously injured iu
the head by his house falling in upon him.
His condition is very critical.
Three of the News and Courier com
positors were wounded by bricks while
fleeing from the composing room.
A son of Lieut. Hiedt of the police
leaped from the third-story window of his
house and was instantly killed.
Anna Harris, colored, was killed
while lying in bed.
Charles Albrecht was killed by a
falling brick.
SOME OF THE RUINS.
The South Carolina railroad offices on
John street are cracked, but standing.
IV. M. Bird & Co.’s wholesale paint
store was shaken down. W. B. Holmes
& Cos., nextdoor. are in similar condition.
Part of tho wall of the bagging factory
was destroyed. The principal 'sireefs are
littered with rubbish. The City Hall
escaped damage, but the eteeples of St.
Michael and st. Phillip’s churches will
have to come down.
All of the portico of Bishop Northrop’s
residence was swept away.
The Academy of Music appears to be
uninjured.
The Charleston Hotel loses ceilings.
The German Artillery Hall is some
what injured.
The wafer works building and reservoir
are uninjured.
Several buildings in Haynes street are
gutted.
The injury to Bt, Philip’s church, pre
viously mentioned, is almost indescriba
ble. Several archeaof tbesplre above the
clock tower are torn down.
Among the residences seriously dam
aged are those ot Capt. Dawson, of the
News and Courier, Geo.Seigling, the late
St. JuHen Ravenel aud L. E. Trenbolm,
C. O. Witie, George Gibbon, J. L. Sobias.
H. L. Bulwinkle, Pressley Smith ami
Alderman Murray.
PIERCING CRIES FOR HELP.
Two gentlemen who were near the Pa
vilion Hotel heard piercing cries tor help.
They went down Hazel street in the di
rection ot the cries and found a white
man and woman half buried in
the ruins of the Lazarus building.
They were extricated and sent
to the hospital. As tbe nigbt wore on the
search tor the dead and wounded con
tinued. Stretcher* were improvised out
of shutters, doors and loose planks, and
the dead and wounded were conveyed to
open squares. Washington Park was
speedily filled with impromptu stretchers
on which the dead aud wounded were
placed.
MEDICAL AID.
Drs. Manning, Simons, P. G. DeSaus
sure, MoDow, Ravenel and others were
out aud rendered all the assistance in
their power. A large fire at the corner of
Vanderhoof and Kiug streets started after
the shock, and was burning fiercely for
two hours, when at last three streams
could be directed against It, but this being
fouud unavailing the tidal drain
was opened and another stream
was put on. At lsnst ten houses
were on Urß, and all o( tbpm were com
pletely destroyed. Chiel O’Neill pressed
into servloe every negro that oould be
found, either to cut wood or to hold
horses.
ANOTHER BLAZE.
A serious fire broke out on the south
east corner of George and Bt. Philip
streets, and two two-story bouses were
completely destroyed. Tbe firq burned
about an hour before the arrival of the
fire engines, such was tbe demand
for them. Fortunately there was
very little wind blowing and tbe
neighboring houses, almost all of
which are wood, were kept from
catching by means of buckets. It whs 11
o’clock before the flrstenglne arrived. A
number of hands assisted tne firemen in
stretching hose, and with one stream the
fire was kept, from spreading until tbe ar
rival of another engine a little laier,when
the fire was gradually subdued.
A FRUIT STORE BURNED.
A two-story wooden building at No. 487
King street, on the west side, between
Vanderhorst. and Warren streets, aud oc
cupied by Bcbiadaressa Bios, as a fruit
store, caught Ure during the convulsion
and was burned to the ground. The lire
extended before tbe arrival of tbeengluea
to the two-story wooden building on
tbe north aide, occupied as a
olotbing store, and to a two
story brick tenement on tbe soutb side.
Tbe two wooden buildings are totally de
stroyed. The brick buildings were par
tially destroyed. At about 10:30 o’clock
Alderman Rodgers succeeded in getting
two streams to play on the flames, end
there was no longer danger of tbe lira
spreading. The loss and insurance could
not be ascertained.
AN OVERTURNED LAMP.
One of the first fires ibat broke out was
caused by an overturned lamp In a house
on Blake street. Most of the fires in dif
ferent sections of the city were subdued
by 1:30 o’clock, save one on King, near
Broad street, which continued to burn
briskly. There was but one engine
available for this fire. Fortunately tbe
water mains were not Injured and there
was an abundant supply of water. Tnere
was no wind blowing irom 10 o'clock un
til nearly 3 o’clock, by wnich time the
fire had been got under control and the
danger of a disastrous tire was spared to
the night of horror.
SCENES IN THE OPEN PLACES.
At that hour every park, square and
vacant lot In tho city was occupied bv
people. It is safe to say that, tho whole
of Charleston passed the night out of
doors. In many oases shattered homes
were revisited and ohildreu aud women
provided with clothing and cover
ing that the infinite mercy
which sterna to be mated nut
to a stricken people so tempered the
wind and weather that the frightened
people were spared many dlsoomforts
and hardships. The dead wero laid in
the open air. Too wounded wero pro
videdjwitb temporary pallets in lawns or
on the streets. Everyone waited patiently
for the coming of dawn, whien would at
least lighten the horrors of the occasion.
At the lowest estimate the loss will be
about double that caused by the cyolono
of last year.
ANOTHER SHOCK.
Charleston, Sept. 1, 11:20 p.m.—A
severe shook ot earthquake haajust been
felt here.
MORE HOUSES KNOCKED DOWN.
Charleston, 8. C.,Sept. 1,11:50 p. m.
—Another snook has just passed over the
city, rather more severe tnan any since
that of last night at 0:55, knocking down
several house*.
ATLANTA TO EXTEND AID.
Atlanta, Sept. I.—Mayor Hillyer has
issued a call for a meeting of the citlzons
of Atlanta to aid the suffering Charlesto
nians. The meeting will be held to
morrow morning. The business and
soolal connection between Atlanta and
Charleston is very close and universal
sympathy is expressed here.
NORTH CAROLINA OFFERS AID.
Raleigh, N. C., Sept. I.—Upon hear
ing ot the disaster at Charleston and Co
lumbia, Gov. A. M. Scale, of this State,
at onoe telegraphed Gov. Sheppard: “We
have newsol tho terrible calamities in
your State. How oan we best aid your
people? Will gladly come to their relief.”
WILMINGTON TO SEND AID.
Wilmington, N. C., Sept. I.—A meet
ing of citizens was held here to-night and
a committee of relief wan appointed to go
to Charleston with men and means to aid
the earthquake sufferers.
SUCCOR FROM HARTFORD.
Hartford,Conn., Sept. I.—Atthetime
of the Mississippi Hoods the people of this
city raised several thousand dollars for
the sufferers. Of this fund $1,500 was not
used, and it was placed in
the bands of Mayor Buikley to
bo used at a future time for
a similar purpose. To-night Mayor Bulk
ley telegraphed to Mayor Courtenay, of
Charleston, 8. C., to draw on him for
SI,OOO, to De used for the rolief of the suf
ferers in the city,
THE NEWS IN SAVANNAH.
The First Reports of the Ruin In
Charleston.
At the Savannah, Florida and Western
railway office the officials were besieged
for information. A lew minutes before 10
o’olock Superintendent Fleming re
ceived a dispatch frem Capt. .1. W. Craig,
Master ot Roadway and Train Service of
the Charleston and Savannah railway. It
was dated Ravenels. and Mr. Craig went
along the road on foot the greater part of
the way.
The dispatch is as follows:
“We have suffered serious damage from
an earthquake which struck Charleston
at 10 o'clock last night. We need all the
assistance you can reuderus. Our track
from Ashley junction to Ravenels, 24
miles,is impassable in many places, owing
to the shifting of the road bed from one to
two (net. The expansion and contraction
b&s bent our rails In many places so that
they cannot be used. 1 hope to be able to
pass trains at a speed of ten miles per
bour to-night oreaiiy to-morrow morn
ing.
“1 cannot find language able quite to ex
press thedamage and suffering in Charles
ton. Many are killed and wounded and
the suffering is terrible. The people arc
all huddled together in the middle of the
streets.
“Since last night the South Carolina
railway has had two trains off the
track between Charleston and .Summer
ville. Atlantic Coast Cine No. 40 not yet
arrived. No tolling when It will. From
what 1 can learn tbe earthquake exten
ded In a radius of 80 to 100 miles. Our
trains have not met with an aco.dent so
far. hater on 1 will wire you timber us
to the damage in Charleston.”
SENDING OUT RELIEF TRAINS.
It was not long before Capt. Fleming
had an extra with a large force of hands
and utensils ready, and the extra with
the force left the depot at 10:15. standard
time lor the i cene to aid the Charleston
and Savannah Railway in repairing dam
ages.
Capt. Fleming was in the telegraph of
flee wnen a reporter of tlio Morning
News called on him, where he could be
Ib constant communication with all
points along the lines oi railway affected
by the great break this side of Charleston.
An anxious crowd of officials and others
interested were in the office
Impatiently awaiting further details, and
discussing the extraordinary phenomena,
exhibited here and elsewhere, so far as
beard from. The serious disturbance of
tbe railway service by an earthquake is
by no means common. The information
that the officers of the road have is very
meagre, but from ail that can be learned
tbe shock was more severe on the South
Carolina coast than anywhere else,
AT THE TELEGRAPH OFFICES-
The Western Union telegraph office
was thronged all night, and Man tger Dil
lon, the operators and employes remained
faithfully at their posts. Messages wore
rapidly piled up on the desks, and the
business was bandied with great speed
and promptness. Early in the morning
fresh crowds gathered in tbe lobby and
about the building. Still the seemingly
untiring officials and employes remained
at tneir posts, and never for an instant
did tney flag, or nesitate or show impa
tience.
The Southern Telegraph Company got a
wire open to Charleston by way of Rich
mond about it o’clock, and it was lit once
overwhelmed, as it were, with private
messages announcing tbe results of the
earthquake and individual experiences,
Soores of messages were received at tbe
Savannah office saying: “We are safe,”
“Thank the Ikird, our family esoaped a
terrible visitation,” etc. Up to 12 o'clock
no names of persons killed or Injured
were reoelved at tbe Savannah office.
Mauager Gustin and his assistants were
kept busy sending and receiving messa
ges and attending to persons anxious to
inquire as to the fate or safety of loved
ones in the City by fhe Sea.
Tne Columbia manager of the Southern
Telegraph Company reached Summerville
this morning, and immediately bulletined
tbe scene exhibited at that place. Toe
beautiful town appeared to be almost de
moliahed. Sixtv lives were reported lost
in Charleston and the city almost de
stroyed. Tho wildest, terror prevailed,
and ail sorts of reports wero circulated
and credulously received.
AROUND THE BULLETINS.
A large proportion of tho people of Sa
vannah appeared to have lost interest in
local ntfairs in their anxiety to hear from
Charleston. The bulletin boards were
visited by hundreds and everywhere
solemn anil anxious faced groups of people
could be seen, the universal Inquiry being
“Have you heard anything irorn Charles
ton ?”
At 10:45 o’clock Manager Dillon, of tho
Western Union and Savannah Telephone
Exchange, received by tho Southern line
the following message from Superinten
dent Easterlin of the Charleston Tele
phone Exchange: “Did earthquake hurt
you? Ask Jacksonville. If not, send
all good men here you oau get.”
Manager Dillon’s little son was in
Charleston visiting at the home of Mr.
Easterlin. and the dispatch was grate
fully received as an assurance that tho
loved one was safe from harm up to that
hour.
Manager Gustin of the Savannah Tele
graph Company received the following
bulletin from the manager of his company
at Charleston:
“Terrible earthquake last night at 9:50.
Principal business portion of the oity de
stroyed. Hundreds rendered homeless.
Men are frantic, woman are beseeching
mercy from the Almighty, children are
In tears. The main station house, the
City Hall, Hibernian Hull and many other
well known public buildings
damaged. Many people are
seriously, if not fatally. Injured.
Broad street presented a spectacle of the
utmost horror. Even women armed with
hatchets (ought valiantly to rescue the
imprisoned unfortunates. Meeting utreet
from Broad to ilazell is a total wreck and
is lined with homeless unfortunates. To
add to the horror of the scene fires’, broke
out and were ineffectually fought by the
brave firemen. The night was hidebus
with bowls of the dying, groans of the
wounded and prayers ot the uninjured.
It is Impossible to estimate the loss or per
sons or propirty destroyed at present.
A SCENE OF RUIN.
At 12:50o’clock the following bulletin
was received at the Southern Telegraph
office:
“At 8:25 precisely this morning another
wave swept over the city, coming as the
other did, from the southeast and going
in a northwest direction. By that time
the people who had been out on the pul>-
lio parks and open places ail night bud.
many of them, ventured Into their houses
to get clothing and something to eat. The
approach of the’quake was heralded by the
usual rumbling sound, resumnlingdisiant,
thunder. Then it gradually approached,
the earth qulverld, and in thirty seconds
it had passed, the sound dying out in the
distance. This is the only wave felt since
2:30 this morning. It was not destruct
ive, all the destruction having been done
at 9:56 last night. The oity is a complete
wreck St. Mlohael’s church and St.
Philip’s, two of the most historic churches
in the oity, are in ruins: so is the Hiber
nians’ Hall, the police station aod
many other publio buildings. Fully
two-thirds of the residences 4n tho
city are uuinhabitable—wrecked totally
or partially. It is impossible at this time
to give u correot estimate of the casual
ties. It is expeoted that between 60 ami
100 persons have been killed and several
hundred wounded. At the time of the
first shock tires broke out In five different
places in the city. About twenty differ
ent persons were destroyed by fire.
Scarcely one hundred houses In the city
ars occupied at this time, the people be
ing all euoamped in the open places. All
the store* are olosed and a scarcity of pro
visions is feared because no one can be
got to reach the stores to sell them.”
THE SITUATION IN THE CITY.
People Remained Up All Night—
More Damage than Expected.
The earthquake that terrorized tbe peo
ploof this city Tuesday night was the sole
topio of conversation yesterday morn
ing, and mingled with the recital of per
sonal experiences, was tbe constantly ex
pressed anxiety tq hear from Charleston.
Tbe impression had somehow or other got
abroad that Charleston had suffered se
verely.
There were thousands of people in the
city who got ne sleep at all ou Tuesday
night. Indeed, it might be said with
safety that at least half the people remain
ed outside their houses. They got to
gether in groups on the porches, or in tbe
streets, and related to each other their
respective experiences, and told of tbe
damage which tbeir houses hud suffered.
They were afraid to return to tbeir
homes. Tbe earthquake shocks con
tinued all tue way from 9:80
'Tuesday evening until 8 o’clock
yesterday morning. At 4 o’clock
tuere was a shock which was quite per
ceptible, and at 8 o’clock there was a
shock taut was noticed by s greatjnauy
people. At the usual hour of gdfjig to
raarkot tbe people had not yot all retired
to tiieir homes, indeed they foit that they
could not sleep if they sought their beds,
and many were too nervous to be oom
fonable within doors.
AN INVESTIGATION SHOWS
that tbe number of buildings damaged to
a greater or less extent is much greater
tuau was supposed. lu most instances
the damage is not great, consisting main
ly of broken plaster anil cracked walls.
None or tue large buildings have been
discovered to have suffered any serious
barm, if the stories of personal experi
ence which each one has to tell
could be collected they would make an in
teresting volume. Different persons were
effected differently by the shocks. Many
ladies fainted, others suffered from ner
vous attacks, and it is related tbat in
tbeir fright some crawled under a bed.
The colored people were badly scared.
Yesterday morning some of them as
serted that there would be a great shock
at 1 o’clock. They were doubtless agree
ably disappointed.
Tbe children do not appear to have been
greatly alarmed. They doubtless did not
know their danger.
Tnrougnout the morning owners
of buildings were quite busily in
specting tbeir property. From tbe ac
counts received they were gratified fbat
they suffered so little. Tbe oity certainly
had a narrow escape from a great dis
aster. In every part of the city pictures
were shaken from the wails, lamps over
thrown, and glass and crockery ware
broken.
MANY BUILDINGS CRACKED.
The streets were tilled ail night with
people who dared not remain in tbeir
houses. The damage was greater than
was tirst estimated. Alt over tbe city
heavy walls are eracked, and the side
walks are covered with debris from chim
neys and roots. In tbe lower part of tbe
city tbe walls of heavy buildings
are cracked, and plaster ceil
ings are fallen. In the old
Southern Bank building there is some
damage.. The walls are cracked
jPKICR *lO A TKA*J
| 5 CENTS AtOPl. j
in the second story. The Waples build
ing, at Hay and Drayton street, is slightly
damaged. A wall next to the printing
office o! Mr. George N. Nicholsleil, crash
ing through tne roof of the adjoining
building. A number of buildings on
lower Bay street are cracked and chim
neys are tailing everywhere.
PULASKI MONUMENT SHAKEN.
One of the most convincing proois ol
the treat force of the shock is at the
Pulaski monument in Monterey square.
The statue of Liberty, which surmounts
the monument, was moved six inches
from its pedestal. The monument
was shaken to its foundation,
but to all appearances, a careful exami
nation not yet having been made, it is not
otherwise injured. The other monuments
are uninjured so far as can De seen.
Fears were had for the safety of tbe
Cathedral, and St. Johns, the Indepen*
dent Presbyterian and other churches,
but solar uodamage has been discovered.
Most of the churches were inspected early
this morning.
it was stated later on that the east wall
of Christ church was cracked from the
roof half w*y to the ground. A crack
twenty feet lon* in the ground near War
ren & Axsou's office on the Bay was re
ported.
AT THE ORPHAN ASYLUMS. .
The Orphans’ Asylum at Bethesda did
not escape the shocks. The main build
ing was not injured, though it shook vio
lently, but the wing shows a slight crack
in one end and tbe ceilings ot the dining
room shows marks of the roof having been
strained. The boys wore not much
alarmed, and thought it was quite a frolic
to be allowed to get out of bed and run
about the house.
There was general consternation among
the inmates of the asyiuuis in the city,
The children were frightened but were
looked alter as best they could be. Many
of them did not realize the danger, not
knowing what an earthquake is. bo far
as has been learned no one was injured.
AMONG TUB CONVICTS.
Mr. George Wheelock, Quartermaster
at the convict camp on the Bee road,came
into the city early in the morning. The
shock, ho says, was very severe at the
camp,particularly the third shock. Tbt
prisoners were very excited,and the “trus.
ties” who were not ironed attempted tfl
get out of the lock-up. The entire force
of guards was up and kept the prisoners
at hay, and after talking to thorn they be
came tractable. All of them went to
praying, keeping up tbeir devotions until
daylight. The iorce was sot to work at
the usual time at the camp in Teynao’s
swamp.
JUMPED OUT OF THE WINDOWS.
There wore many amusing occur
rences. Services were being held in tbe
colored church ut Isle of Hope, and when
tlie first shock came the worshippers
rushed for the doors. The windows ware
open and many jumped through them.
One old darkey, who was among the tirst
out of the door, t urned to a brother, who
bud taken a quicker way and said: “I
t’ot you was a Christian, brudder John,
and here you feared to trust da Lord in
Disown house and jump out ob do win
der.”
There is great consternation among the
country negroes, and thousands came
into the city. “Do good Lawd help u t ”
cried one old woman who bad tramped iu
on tbe Augusta road and reached the
city about day light, “Gabriel am coming
suah null, do Lawd help us po’ cullad
folks.”
DAMAGE ON BROUGHTON STREET.
Tbe greatest damage reported to any
building 1 in Savannau was to the one
•tory brick building So. 154 Broughton
street, occupied by 31. L. Byck as a store.
The place narrowly escaped being com
pletely wrecked. At the tirst snook half
of the west wall was thrown down and
the roof crashed in. All along tbe north
and northeast sides of tbe store the plas
ter was knocked down and the goods were
covered with dust and mortar, i.uekilv
tbe store had closed tor tbe night. Hail
it been open loss of lile would have been
inevitable. Tbe cashier’s desk is in the
northeast corner of tbe room and right
over is a skylight. Lying on the floor at
the side of ibo desk Is a large flat stone
weighing almost 100 pounds. It had
been a capstone on the top of the wail of
tbe adjoining store on the east'which is
ocoupied by .Jacob Cohen and A. J. Mil
ler. To at building is a tnrte story brick,
and the capstone had crashed down from
tbe top through Mr. Uyck’s skylight
and just grazed the cashier’s desk. Had
he been in bis chair he would almost cer
tainly have been killed. The goods and
building are badly damaged. Mr. Byck
estimates bis loss at SI,OOO. He says that
he has considered the west wall unsafe
for several months. Too building can
hardly bo repaired for less than SI,BOO.
TIIX INJURED.
The injured in the disasters of Tuesday
night are none of them likely to die. Mrs,
Smitn, who jumped lrorn a second-story
window at Broughton and West Broad
streets with her child in oer arms, was at
tended by I)r. l’urse, and will recover. Hei
injuries are not as serious as u was first
thought. Those who were injured in the
panic at the First African church are tn
a fair way to recovery. .No other casual,
lies than were announced In the News
yesterday morning have been reported.
Many people were slightly injured by
falling bricks and debris from tbe roofa
ol bouses but none seriously.
Hergeant Killourby, oi the police, stated
that tbe policemen this morning reported
no additional aocidents to persons or pro.
perty other than those described in the
News.
WHAT THE SIGNAL OFFICERS SAT.
The Signal Service men were at sea o
the subject, so to speak. There is no way
to tell tbe approach or the duration of an
earthquake. The only thing that can b
done lc to draw inferences from past,
earthquakes. In the earthquake belt
shocks are liable to be felt for twoor three
days at varying intervals. The meteoro
logical department has never made a spa
oial study of seismic disturbances, as
they are technically termed. Tbe Japa
nese have devoted more time to that than
any other people, und the study is more
advanced there.
OI the present disturbance Messrs.
Graham and David said that they were
unable to make any forecast. It is most
likely that tbe worst is over and that only
tremors and slight shocks will be felt
until tbe disturbance is wholly over and
the rdrees in the Interior of the earth re
same their normal slate so far as the
crust la concerned. A marked rise in tbe
barometer was a noticeable incident to
to tbe signal men in connection with tbs
upheaval. The atmospheric pressure be.
gun to lnorease Tuesday forenoon and
continued throughout the afternoon aud
night, audit was still increasing yester
day aiternoon.
EFFECT ON TUB WEATHER.
Between midnight and 7 o’clock yester
day morning the barometer rose one*
eighth of an inob, aud from noon
Tuesday until noon yesterday 11
rose a quarter ol an iueb. A fail ot 6 de
grees In tbe temperature also occurred at
this point, and there seemed to bs a cool*
wave traveling from the northwest when
the upheaval came. The disturbance and'