The Savannah daily times. (Savannah, Ga.) 188?-1???, September 01, 1886, Image 1

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Soromnah Bai In Tinies. VOL—7. NO 203. taai Shaken Up. The Night of August 31st Long to be Remembered. A PANIC-STRICKEN POPU LACE. The Streets and Squares Filled with the Fright ened Inhabitants. DAMAGE DONE IN VARIOUS POR- TIONS OF THE CITY. Scenes and Incidents on the Streets. LATEST ACCOUNTS FROM THE SUBURBS. general notes about the tremor The I night of the 31st of August, 1886 will never be forgotten by any inhabitant of Savannah, capable of remembering any thing, end it will always appear in red let ters in future histories of the city. On that occasion the people here underwent an ex perienee more terrible than probably has ever been felt before by the oldest inhabitant, and which it is most earnestly to be hoped may never be again known. A little after 9 o’clock a tremor of the earth was felt, accompanied by a rumbling noise, but it caused no special excitement, as it soon passed over, and the only comment thereon was that it was something unusual. But it was not many minutes before all doubt and uncertainty as to the cause of the disturbance was demon strated in a most decided manner, for again the rumbling noise was heard, accompanied by such a shaking up of the whole city as to strike terror to the hearts of the strongest man. Immediately THE CITY WAS PANIC STRICKEN. Men, women and children poured out in one ceaseless stream of humanity from their dwellings, hotels and lodging houses. The streets were filled throughout their respec. tive lengths and breadths with a crowd of frightened human beings, intent only on escaping from falling chimneys, flying bricks, tottering walls and crashing tim bers. consternation reigned supreme, and blanched cheeks and wild eyes told the tale of terror more vividly and graphically than words could portray. Windowsrattled with appalling noise, brick walls and frame houses swayed to and fro like ships at sea, while timbers cracked as if struggling to free themselves by violence from the fast enings that held them together. For fully a minute the shock lasted, although each second setmed a minute to the scared and frightened populace who, one and all, with bated breath awaited anx iously to see what would happen next. THE NE9ROES especially Were paralyzed with fright and terror, believing! with their usual supersti tion, that the,judgement day and end of the world had come. Many began praying and uttering loud lamehtation, while others be gan singing h'yinns, apd, making ready to take their departune from earth to Heaven. And to add to the unusual terror, and cause confusion to be still worse confounded, after the main great shock was over several minor shocks were felt in quite rapid suc cession, wihch continuing at various in tervals throughout the night, were kept up until this morning. In consequence, Sa vannah may be said to have been AWAKE ALL NIGHT. The street's and squares remained filled with people afraid to enter their houses lest they should be again driven out without a moments notice, while those who were brave enough to try and snatch a little rest, took all precautions to insure easy and rapid egress in case of danger. About 1 o’clock a slight shock was felt, which lasted SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1886. only about a second, but at 4 o’clock another commotion was experienced severe enough to threaten another panic. Again at 8 o’clock the terrors were plainly perceptible, but from/which time to the present there has been no jet urn of the vibrations. But never horrors of last night be ef faced the minds of any who passed through them, and the memory of that night of terror be told and retold to the chil dren and grandchildren of this and future generations as the most wonderful convul sion of nature ever known in this portion of the universe. SCENES CN THE STREETS THIS MORNING. All this morning the unwelcome visitor was the subject of universal conversation. The common/ salutation was, “Were you frightened?” Lt “Did you suffer any dam age?” while men gathered in groups ■ to re late to each Ather the personal experience they had pafeed through on this menSura-, ble occasion. (Report of damage done win,” greater or less degree were handed abqv from mouth to mouth, while anxious in quiries were made between friends as to the possible injury sustained. Every thing was lost sight of but the one, and SPECULATIONS AS TO A PROBABLE RFTURN ofthe dread visitor were universal. All such, however, are of course useless. Earthquakes are subject to no known laws. They come unheralded and without warning, and no man living can tell beforehand whether or not they will return. They are most generally caused by volcanic eruptions, and those localities in the neighborhood of volcanoes are always more or less subjected to them. But in this part of the world, miles away from mountains, and hundreds of miles away from anything approaching a volcano, they are of the rarest occurrence, and when one such as that of last night is felt, it is an indication that some terrible convulsion of nature is in progress, the particulars of which may be looked for with confidence in a very short time. Whatever is the cause, it is needless to say that should it ever become known, it will excite the most absorbing interest. THE EXCITEMENT TO-DAY. The excitement along the streets this morning was at fever heat. People talk of nothing but the earthquake. At an early hour the telegraph and newspaper offices were besieged with anxious ones and the question of the streets was “Any news from Charleston?” The telegraphic lines were out of order, and there was great difficulty experienced in getting anyjnews. GENERAL INCIDENTS. At the First African Baptist Church ser vices were being held, and at the first shock the lights went out and the terrible shock ing of the building threw the congregation into a panic, the terror stricken inmates making a rush for the door. The minister shcited to th? * ..ongrig a6n to restrain themselves, but his voice was drowned in the stampede. The church was very full and in their frantic endeavors to reach the door many were stamped and trampled upon, and six women were badly injured. When a Times reporter reached the scene, the church was closed, but several of the injured were lying on pillows placed under them on the pavement, waiting for convey ances to take them to their homes. THE SCENE IN YAMACRAW. Last night Yamacraw presented a terri ble sight. At the first shock people ran out of their houses into the street. Many ran out in their night clothes, and refused to go back. Children and women screamed, while men looked on horror stricken, un able to do any thing. Women were crying for children who were lost in the rush to get out of the houses, and the sight was one to make the stoutest hearts quail. Among these scenes a Times wended his Way. Every group anxiously inquired the news from up town as he approached them. W’hen the TiMes man reached West Broad street at 12 o’clock, all indica tions looked as if the families would remain in the streets all night, which we have since learned they did. A STAMPEDE. There were about twenty young men present in the Catholic Library Hall. As the old building began to shake the mem bers stopped all their different occupations and were perfectly bewildered. One of the party cried “earthquake” and all of them rushed pell mell for the door. A certain bank clerk in his fright and consternation left his hat, coat and cuffs in the hall and carried a billiard cue with him in his flight. In his haste the cue became fasten ed across the narrow passageway and the holder was too weak to move it. It was not until the cries and threats of the nine or ten men behind awakened him to his senses that he was able to move the cue. He says to-day that he was so badly frightened he didn’t what he was doing. WHITE BLUFF. Parties from White Bluff this morning report that the shock was very severely felt, and the water greatly disturbed. There was a big rise and fall of the river, with a surging sound. The houses were rocked and swayed by the vibrations. The colored people were highly excited before the sen sation of the first shock had abated, and an old colored woman rushed to the church and commenced ringing the bell. In a few minutes all the negroes in the vicinity were collected at the church and singing and praying followed throughout the night. There was no serious damage to property, and no one was injured. ISLE OF HOPE. At the Isle of Hope there was no tidal wave, but the buildings were terribly shaken and their occupants badly frighten ed. No damage resulted, however, except that Major Barnard E. Bee had the the tops of the two chimneys of his house shaken off. Beyond that no other injury is reported. The first shock was very severe, and was experienced at 9:30 p. m., and others fol lowed in this succession : second, 9:40; third, 9:45; fourth, 9:55; fifth, 12:37, a. m.; sixth, 12:40, a. m.; seventh, 4:25, a. m. All the houses W re well shaken, and in several the piasieiing was knocked down. No damage is reported at Beaulien or Rose Dhu. | THE CITY HOSPITAL. The City Hospital is somewhat damaged. The seams of the walls in wards Nos. 1 and 2 are cracked. Plastering fell in seven,, places and bottles fell from their shelves in the dispensarr. The wall up in the atlf* is also cracked. This is the only damage done. The patients behaved splendidly »‘l. through the excitement, only the conva lescents showing and signs of fright All arrangements were made t, remove the sick ones if necessary. Several of the inmates slept in their clothes. At the St. Joseph Hospital the damage was quite slight —nothing ex cept some plastering having fallen. The sisters carried their patients out in the square and remained with them all night, not moving them back into the hospital until this morning. RELIEF TENDERED FROM S.'.VANNA H. Immediately upon learning of the distress in Charleston, the President and Directors | of the Savannah Benevolent Association sent a dispatch to Capt. F. W. Dawson, of the News and Courier, asking if pecuniary aid were needed. Prompt assistance will be rendered by the Association. 'tyti, AT MONTGOMERY. ■' ’ The vibrations were very sensibly felt at this point. The water came over the wharf. | The chimney of Hoover’s house was pros- j trated and a number of glasses in the bar?, room broken. ALONG THE RIVER. No damage is reported. The water I in the river rose in mountain-: ous waves and several ships broke loose 1 from their moorings. But were not damaged.’ For an instant the scene was one of anxiety and horror, but the river so n subsided and fortunately no damage was done. TORN TO PIECES. A private telegram received from Augus ta this morning reads as follows: “Terror reigns supreme here. . The Hill is torn to pieces.” THE BRYAN STREET BAPTIBT[cHURCH was badly injured; the plastering fell and one of the walls badly The dam age is quite serious. THE FIRST NEWS FROM CHARLESTON. About 10 o’clock the first news in refer ence to charleston Jwas received by Capt. R. G. Fleming, superintendent of the Sa vannah, Florida and Western Railway from Master of Roadway and Transportation J. W. Craig, dated Ravenel. This dispatch is as follows: Ravenel, September I.—We have suf fered serious damage from an earthquake, which struck Charleston at 10 o’clock p. m. We need all the assistance you can render us; our track frein Ashley Junction to Rave nel, twenty-four miles, is impassable in many places, owing to the shifting of road bed from one to two feet. The contraction and expansion has bent our rails in many places so that it cannot be used. I hope to b? able to pas trains at a speed of ten miles per hour to night or early in the morning I cannot find language able quite to express the damage and suffer:n<g in Charleston. Many are killed and wounded. The Snifter ing is terrible. The people are all huddled t- gether in the middle of the streets since last evening. The Savannah and Charleston Railway have two trains off the track between Charleston and Svmmerville. A. C. L. No. 40 not arrived; no telling when it will. Our trains have not met with any acci dent so far. Later on 1 will wire you further as to damage in Charleston. J. W. Craig, M. R. & T. Immediately rp m rec dpt of above Capt Fleming, supeiimer.dent of the bavannan, Florida and Western Railway, sent a spe cial train with tools and a large force of workmen to assist Mr. Craig in repairing the Charleston and Savannah Railway. Mr. Walter Corney received a private telegram from Jordan Thomas, Charleston saying “your family safe, but house destroyed. Come over. NOTES. The news from Tybee is to the effect that no damage was done. Dr. Charlton’s residence suffered the loss of a chimney. Mrs. Johnsons residence on Jones street, also lost a chimney. Dolly Heard at the corner of Alice and West Bread streets, lost a chimney. The residence corner Barnard and Charl ton, occupied by Mr. Solomons, lost a chimney. Plastering in various houses fell and in some there were narrow escapes from in juries. Judging from the reports of other places, > Savannah, badly as she was shaken up, got off with less damage than anywhere else. The chimney of the residence of Mr. B. A. Denmark, corner Liberty and Dray top streets, was wrecked. Notwithstanding the excitement of the ’Quake Central was active to-day. Orders from New York caused 100 J to be bid with no offerings at that figure. Hamilton Garmany, a youngster was in his bath tub when the big shake occurred, and was so badly frightened that he ran out into the street puris naturalibus. Mr. W. D. Krenson, living at the corner of Tattnall and Jones streets, had his chimney shaken down. Mayor Lester’s new residence was shaken up very lively last night, but barring some cracks in the ceiling, no damage was done. Delanco Jenks, colored, at the corner of Fahm and Bryan streets lost both his chimneys. The wall of his house was split in twain, and his house is considered unsafe. In the store of Messrs. L. E. Byck & Son the roof and the wall on the west side caved in. The damage is estimated at SI,OOO. A private telegram received this morn ing from Jenkintown, ten miles from Phila delphia, stated that the shock was scarcely felt there. Mr. E. M. Cornwell, of the Times corps, was asleep in his father’s house, corner of Barnard and Liberty streets, being the only occupant. He was thrown from his bed by the vibration several feet, and when he awoke he was on the floor against a sofa two feet from the bed. The house was rock ing then and grabbing his apparel he skip ped down the stairway and into the street without much ceremony and finished his toilet on the run. The chimney of the house was knocked down and the plastering in some of the rooms. The parapet of the building, corner Jef ferson and Broughton streets, and the west wall is badly damaged. A figure nearly three-eighths of an inch, extending from the top of the building, was made in the house corner of State and Price streets, occupied by Capt. Isaac Henry. St. Johns Church is uninjured. The Masonic Temple escaped damage. The glass was broken in the stores of Lovell & Sone and E. Lovell. --The chimney of the residence of Captain Flannery is a wreck, as also is that of the house at the corner of Whitaker and McDonough streets. The park escaped without any damage whatever. Policeman Reed was standing in the middle walk, and says it was as much as he could do to keep on his feet. The appearance to-day is the same as usual, and one can scarcely imagine in passing through it that the night was of such terror. The Independent Presbyterian Church on the corner of South Broad and Bull i streets, suffered no damage with the excep ; tion of the bending of the arrow on the i weather cock. The chapel had a chimney ! knocked down. This is all the external < damage, but on the inside the seams of the • walls are cracked. In the children’s de i partment one of the stained glass windows Bis a wreck. BETHESDA. | Supintendendent Chaplin reports that the shock was very severely felt there and that the buildings rocked greatly. No damage was sustained beyond the loss of some plastering in the new wing. NEWS FROM TWO STATES. and Florida as Seen Tlirough our Exchanges. ' The Rome Bulletin is announced for sale on September 11. Business ih Rome this summer has been better than for several years past. Lincoln county is manufacturing large quantities of sorghum molasses. The Atlanta wheelmen are jubilant over he prospect of an early completion of their track: at Grant Park. Politics are getting to a white heat in Greene. There are four candidates before the people for the Democratic nomination to the lower House and two for the Senate. Up to the present time there have been 1203 pupils’ names enrolled upon the books of the Superintendent of the Athens public schools. Os this number 434 are white and the remainder colored. Mr. H. D. Smith, of Taliaferro county, says, in reference to the crops, that he had Jived in the southern portion of the county .'0 years and that the crops at present were the finest he has seen there. Americus Recorder: The Americus lee factory has such a demand for its ice that it has hard work to keep up with its orders. Monday it was unable to supply the de mand. The factory ships ice to Waycross, Quitman, Leesburg, Smithville, Dawson, Cuthbert, Eufaula, Montezuma, Griffin, Mil ledgeville and other places. It is having a big business. The intimations are that Judge Hutchins will dismiss the rule nisi applied for by the prohibitionists of Oconee county to attack Ordinary Thrasher for contempt. This sustains, for the present, the decision of that official, declaring the result of the recent liquor election to have been favorable to the sale of liquor. The Pimly Ridge correspondent of the Camilla Clarion says: East Mitchell is filled up with rattlesnake and deer. Uncle Gid Maples showed his skill at the business in his old age in killing a fine buck a few days ago. Also Mr. Glen Turner stood on the same spot and killed two. Mr. E. H. Arkridge, while raking straw in Mr. Thos. Munford’s old field, killed a huge rattle snake. FLORIDA. Orlando wants a town clock. Alachua farmers report excellent crops. The Ocala Rifles are to have new uni forms. Last week 18,700 fish were brought to Cedar Key by the different fish boats. Vicious dogs have recently killed a num ber of young calves about Orlando. Bartow is to have an ice factory. The Informant says it is an assured fact. The Emporia Advance wants Volusia county to be cut up into two or more coun ties. An Orlando gentleman is preparing to start a small strawberry patch of 80,000 plants. M. L. Smith, of Daytona, has been offer ed $8 per 1,000 for his orange crop upon the trees. Mr. L. ‘ Edmunds of Onahumkee, has made a failure of his tobacco Crop, but with a tenacity of purpose that is praise-worthy, he says he will make another trial next season. A party of hunters from Cocoa, on Indian River, recently ran into a school of mana tees at the mouth of the St. Lucie River, but failed to get one of them. The oranges about Bronson are looking finely and the crop will be much larger than was anticipated last spring. The trees are growing thriftily and are doing as well as could be wished for. The Marianna Enquirer learns that the cotton crop of Jackson county will be con siderably less than last year. The corn crop will be much larger. The Suwanee crops are doing very well. Caterpillars have made their appearance in Madison county, and are working in a number of crops. Although it is full late for them to do any great damage, yet they have enough time to (destroy all the tender bolls or top cotton. Waldo Advertiser: “The results from the vineyards in this vicinity during the past season were so satisfactory, the acreage will be greatly increased. The black Hamburg, Delaware, and other varieties have borne finely, and the fruit brought fancy prices in the market, thus encouraging the hope that the day is no". f ar distant when the cultiva tion of the vtue will prove to be < cos the most lucrative of our industries. 1 MIT DP BOID! Charleston Terribly Afflicted. Immense Destruction of Property. Between 50 and 100 Per sons Killed->Others Wounded St: Phillips and St. Michael’s In Ruins. MEETING STREET FROM BROAD TO HAZEL A COMPLETE WRECK. Scenes of Terror on the Streets. SUMMERVILLE NEARLYDF STROYED. FIRES ADD TO THE HORROR OF THE NIGHT. Columbia, S. C., Sept. I.—[Special.J All communications was cut off with Char leston until 9 o’clock this morning, when the Southern Telegraph Company’s line was opened and the terrible news came that the city had .been nearly demolished, the loss being greater than that of the cyclone of last year, and about 60 people having been killed and wounded. The streets are filled with fallen walls ar chim neys and caught file? The* uic \ ludei control. SUMMEER VILLE NEARLY DESTnOYED. Summerville, a flourishing town, 22 miles from Charleston, has been nearly des troyed. TRAINS WRECKED. The passenger train on the South Caro lina Railroad was wrecked near Summer ville and the engineer and fireman killed. The citizens of Charleston remained in the streets all night and are in a panic stricken condition. ANOTHER SHOCK AT COLUMBIA. At 8:30 and 10:20 tdis morning Columbia was again made to tremble. Very little sleep was had by any of the inhabitants. Negroes thought the end of the world had come and held prayer meetings on the street corners. STRICKEN CHARLESTON. Charleston, Sept. 1. —[Special.]—A terrible earthquake was felt here last night at 9:50 p. m. The principal business por tion of the city was destroyed. Hundreds are rendered homeless; men frantic, women beseeching mercy from the Almighty and children in tears filled the streets. The Main Station House of the City Hall, Hibernia Hall and many other well known public buildings, including the Never Dying Church, are badly damaged. Many people are seriously, if not fatally, injured. Broad street presented a spectacle of utmost horror. Even women, armed with hatchets, fought valiantly to rescue the imprisoned unfortunates. Meeting street, from Broad to Hazell, is a wreck, and is lined with homeless families. To add to the horror of the scene,many fires broke out, and were ineffectual!) fought by our brave fire department. The night was a hideous one, with howls of the dying, groans of the wounded and prayers of the uninjured. It is impossible to estimate the loss of life or property at present. At 10 o’clock to-day a shock was distinctly felt. another shock in charleston. Charleston, Sept. 1. —At 8:25 o’clock precisely this morning another wave swept over the city coming as the others did from the southeast and going in a north west direction. By that time the people who had been out in the public parks and open places all night had 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 resembling distant thunder, then it gradually approached the earth quivered, and in 30 seconds it had passed, the sound dying out in the distance. $6.00 A YEAR THE RUIN AND DESOLATION. This is the only wave felt since 2:30 th® a. m. It was not destructive, Ml the de struction having been done at 9:55 laiS night. The city is a complete wreck. St. Michael’s church and St. Phillip's, two of the most historic churches in the city, are in ruins, so is the Hibernian Hall, the po lice station and many other public buildingr. Fully two-thirds of the residences in the city are uninhabitable, wrecked totally or partially. It is impossible at this time to give a correct estimate of casualties. It is supposed that between 50 and 100 persons have been killed and several hundred wound ed. At the time of the first shock fires broke out in five different places in the city About twenty houses were destroyed by tire Scarcely 100 houses in the city are occupied at this time, the people being all encamped in the open places. AU the stores are closed and scarcity of provisions is feared because no one can be got to reach the stores to sell them. ANOTHER ACCOUNT. Charleston, September 1.- -StiortltZ after 10 last night an earthquake of such violence as has never been expe rienced in this city, occurred. The whole, city was shaken violently, causing a loss of life and doing immense damage lt> property The city is one mass of wreck; streets are completely blockaded with the debris of ruined houses, telegraph poles, trees, wires, Vehicles of any kind cannot be driven through the streets, while pedestrianism if both dangerous and difficult. The people have been in the streets since the occurence of the first shock, wringing their hands' and crying aloud to God to save them. Whole families passed the night huddled together in open spaces; some of them pray ing continuously, and imploring divine in tercession. Opinions differ as to the number of shocac w-hich occurred, some assert that there were only two, while others are positive that there were three. A great many insist that there were even more. However, this may be the first was the most severe and did the most dam age. There are a large number of buildings wrecked, but it is impossible to ascertain in the present slate of excitement how many. Several of the wrecked houses caught fire and are still burning in various parts of the city, but no fears are entertain ed of the firec spreading. KILLED AND WOUNDED. 8o far as learned some 60 or 70 persons have been killed and wounded and it is feared that when a canvass of the wrecked districts is made, this number will be materially augmented. THE NAMES OF THE UNFORTUNATES. A few of the names of those who have either Isot their lives or received fatal in juries through the destruction of their dwellings have been ascertained, and among them are the following; W. J. Lynch, Dr R. Alexander , Hammond Ainsley, and Ainsley Robinson, all white. The majority of the victims are colored people. It is impossible to give any estimate of the loss to property at present, but it is be lieved that it will reach far up into the millions. The city is completely isolated, and at present there is no means of either entering or leaving the city. THE ’QAAKE AT SUMMERVILLE. Columbia, 8. C. Sept. 1. —Summerville, 22 miles from Charleston, was nearly de stroyed by an earthquake last night. The passenger train from Columbia to Charles ton was blown from the track near Summer ville last night and the engineer and fire man killed. The passengers on the wreck ed train and those on this mornings train have not yet reached Charleston. THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. Washington, D. C.. August 31.— Two shocks were felt here, the second of longer duration and more severe. It was felt in all parts of the city. No one was injured.. The shock at other points was felt at Richmond, Va., Wilmington, N. C., Cincin nati, Columbus, 0., Scranton, Pa, Chicago, 111., St. Louis, Mo., New York, Brooklyn, Raleigh, N. C., Charlestown, W. Va., Lou isville, Ky., Selma, Mobile and Montgom ery, Ala., Charlotte, N. C., Birmingham, Ala., Memphis, Cleveland, 0., Detroit, Indianapolis, Jamestown, N. Y., Plainfield, N. J., Milwaukee, Pittsburg, Meadville. Pa, Nashville, Lexington, Ky., Chattanoo ga, Knoxville, Philadelphia, Titusville, Pa. The vibrations were felt with different de grees of severity, at these different points. The telegraphic reports however, record no very serious damage to property or great loss of life. In Richmond, Va., the excite ment was intense. The shock was very severe at Memphis, Chicago, Ly n.hburg, Va., and Meadville. THROUGH GEORGIA. Telegrams from Atlanta and Augusta re port very severe shocks and great excite ment among the people. In Atlanta the excitement was terrible. A number tfi chimneys were shaken down, and considera ble damage was done. Meeting were broken up abruptly and the people tumbled pell mell into the streets. So far as learned no serious casualties. In Augusta the effects of two shocks were scarcely less terrible, and the streets were filled with excited people and terror stricken women and children. No loss of life. Special telegrams from all parts of Geor gia show that the shock was general in the State and South, but no serious damage ir reported. The people, however, have never been so generally frightened. The towns so far heard from are East man, Reynolds, Thomasville, Sandersville, Columbus, Macon, Valdosta, Baxlev, Coch ran, Jesup, Folksten, LaGrange, Climax, Rome, Fairburn, Lumber City, Tennille, Midville, Waycross Surrency, Hawkinsville, Ty-Ty, Bruns wick, Griffin and Darien. At the latter place the shock was very severe rnd a num ber of buildings were prostrated. Milledgeville, August 31.—The town was considerably shaken up by an earth quake about 9 o’clock to-night. Several severe shocks were felt. Loss small. Par ticulars later. Anybody can catch a cold now. The trouble is to let, like the man who caught the bear. We advise our readers to keep a bottle of Dr. Bull’s Cough Syrup handy.