Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 October 1886 — SOUTHERN. [ARTICLE]

SOUTHERN.

Wiggins’ earthquakes and tornadoes failed to materialize on the 29th ult., much to tho relief and joy of tho people along the South Atlautic and Gulf oasts. With the exception of light shocks at Elizabethtown, Pa., and Petersburg, Va., and a “norther” in Texas and North Louisiana, there were no subterranean or meteorological disturbances whatever. A Charleston dispatch say 3: Wiggins prediction has had a marked effect <ll the emotional nature of tho negroes, and for the x-'ust four or live nights their churches haVe been tilled with crowded congregations of frenzied worshipers. The effect of the shocks on the superstitious negroes has been fearful, and they seem to have determined to be taken to heaven by Storm. Hundrods of converts are made every night, and the excitement is so great that many go into tranceH and have to be carried home on stretchers." Among the whites the religious sentiment has also been deeply .aroußed. » An Atlanta (G a.) telegram says: At daylight this morning the streets of Atlanta were filled with early risers. They found a cloudless sky but a chilly atmosphere. As noon passed and night was reached the people gave up their fears, and returned to their homes. The colored people kept up their religious meetings until to-night. Many of the merchants did not go to their places of business to-day, their families refusing to be left alone. Perhaps the best evidence of the fears of the people was the abstention of the school children. The non-attendance was greater than e\er before known, and the teachers report that the children who did attend might as well have staid at home. The many high buildings in the city were emptied of their inmates all day, who, upon one exouse or another, staid out until the dreaded hour for the event had passed. The Supreme Court of Virginia, in tho case of T. J. Cluverius, who stands convicted of the murder of Lillian Madison, at the old reservoir in Richmond, Ya., has denied the petition for a rehearing. Death by hanging will follow unless Executive clemency interposes. S. S. Hamilton, a prominent citizen, fell down stairs at Louisville, breaking his neck and causing instantaneous death. Charles Edwards, colored, who cut the throat of his mistress, was hanged at New Orleans. Frost damaged vegetation in certain sections of the South from 30 to 50 per cent. Matt O’Brien, a New Orleans tough, killed his brother Hugh in a bar-room. There have been thirty-one earthquake shocks at Charleston since Aug. 27.