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A CITY IN RUINS.

Effects of the Earthquake at
Charleston, S. C.

MANY HOUSES WRECKED.

A Large Number of Persons Killed
and Injured.

CAMPING IN THE OPEN PLACES.

The City Cut Off from the Rest of
the World for Hours.

Flames Among the Ruins—Scenes of
Desolation—Millions of Dollars' Worth
of Property Destroyed—The Shock in
Other Sections—Very Strong Undulations
of the Earth, but No Serious
Damage—Views of the Chief of the
Geological Survey on the Causes of
the Disturbance—Volcanic Symptoms
in the West.

The city of Charleston, S. C., which for
hours after the earthquake Tuesday night
was cut off from the rest of the world by
the breaking of telegraph communication
and the general demoralization of things in
that city, was heard from at an early hour
yesterday morning, when the news came that
a portion of the city was in ruins, many
buildings having been shaken down, others
destroyed by fire, and many persons killed
and wounded. The terrified people had
spent the night in the streets and
other open places, afraid to venture
into their homes. General demoralization
seems to have seized upon the populace.
Another shock was felt at Charleston yesterday
morning, and two more in the afternoon,
the last, after five o'clock, being also felt at
Augusta, Ga., and Columbia, S. C. No damage
was done, though at Augusta the vibrations
were noticeable for about two minutes. Business
is suspended, the drug stores being the
only ones open. A report that lacks confirmation
is that geyser-like streams are spouting
from fissures in the neighborhood of Charleston.
The number killed in Charleston is
estimated as high as forty and the loss of
property from eight to ten million dollars.
Another shock was felt there between eleven
o'clock last night and midnight. It was very
cevere and shook down several buildings.
A number of shocks were also reported from
Summerville, S. C., at a late hour last night.

CHARLESTON IN RUINS.

Buildings Wrecked, People Buried—Another
Shock Last Night.

CHARLESTON, S. C., Sept. 1.—An earthquake,
such as has never before been known
in the history of this city, swept over Charleston
last night about 10 o'clock, causing more
loss and injury to property and far more loss
of life than the cyclone of a year before. The
city is wrecked, the streets are encumbered
with masses of fallen bricks and tangled telegraph
and telephone wires, and for hours it
was almost impossible to pass from one
part of the city to another. The first
shock of earthquake was felt approaching
last night at 9.53, and before people
could realize what the trouble was they
found themselves being tossed about
and their houses falling upon them. Every
one ran screaming into the streets, and in a
few seconds the city was wild with human
beings crazed with fright. On all sides could
be heard exclamations such as "My God,
save us." "God have mercy upon us sinners,"
and people could be seen kneeling
everywhere in groups offering up prayers.
The first shock was followed immediately
by another, though of less effect, but renewing
the screams and shrieks, and from the
time of the beginning to daylight shocks
were felt at intervals of half an hour, each
succeeding one being less distinct. Three or
four fires started in as many sections with
the first shock, and the city was soon illuminated
with flames, thus leading all to belive
that what was left by the earthquake
would be devoured by fire. However, the fire
department was so well handled that the fires
were gotten under control by daylight. From
fifteen to twenty residences and stores were
consumed. Shocks equally as severe were felt
at a distance of 35 miles, and have done great
damage to railroad and telegraph property.
The principal business portion of the city
was destroyed and hundreds of persons were
rendered homeless. Men were frantic, women
were beseeching mercy from the Almighty
and children were in tears. Even women,
armed with hatchets, fought valiantly
to rescue the imprisoned unfortunates.
Meeting street, from Broad to Hazel, is a
wreck and is lined with unfortunates. The
night was hideous with the groans of the
dying, the screams of the wounded and the
prayers of the uninjured. At precisely
8.25 this morning another wave swept
over the city, coming, as did the
other, from the southeast, and going in a
northwesterly direction. By that time many
of the people, who had been out on the public
parks and open places all night, had ventured
into their houses to get clothing and something
to eat. The approach of the shock was
heralded by the usual rumbling sound resembling
distant thunder. As it gradually
drew nearer the earth quivered and heaved,
and in three seconds the shock had passed,
the sound dying out in the distance. It was
not destructive, all the damage having
been done at 9.55 last night. St. Michael's
and St. Philip's Churches, two of the
most historic structures in the city,
are ruined, and the steeples are down.
Hibernian Hall was also wrecked. The
steeple of the Unitarian Church has fallen.
The police station and many other public
buildings and fully two-thirds of the residences
in the city are uninhabitable,
being wrecked either totally or partially.
Scarcely 100 houses in the city are occupied,
the people being all encamped in the open
places. All the stores are closed, and a
scarcity of food is feared, not from a want of
provisions, but because no one can be got to
reach the stores to sell them. The
city is wrapped in gloom and business
is entirely suspended. People generally remain
in the streets in tents and under improvised
shelters, and will camp out tonight,
fearing another shock. The gas works are
injured, and probably the city will be without
light tonight. Fissures in the earth are
noticed, from which fine sand, apparently
from a great depth, exudes. A sulphurous
smell is very noticeable. Two slight shocks
have been felt since this morning—one about
1.30 P. M. and one at 5.19. Neither of them did