“Columbia S. C. Feb. 11”

Date

2-21-1812

Newspaper

Raleigh Star

Page and Column

Page 31 Column 3

Newspaper Location

Raleigh, North Carolina

Serial Number

137

Abstract

Long account from Columbia, South Carolina of the effect of the New Madrid earthquakes and a felt report for the February 7, 1812 earthquake. Details that chimneys were damaged. people panicked and animals agitated. Notes that shocks had been felt since December 16,1811

Transcript

Columbia S. C. Feb. 11--Ever since the 15 of December last, the earth has appeared unsettled, and in an almost constant tremor, and shocks of earthquakes are frequently felt with more or less severity. At a quarter before five o'clock in the evening of Tuesday last, a small shock was felt and about half past three on Friday morning, it was followed by one that far exceeded in severity any thing of the kind heretofore experienced here. It continued with considerable severity for about 2 minutes, but the motion did not entirely subside under ten or fifteen. It shook off the top of one of the College chimnies, threw down partitions inside with in one of the professors houses; and partially affected several other buildings. This terrible shaking of the earth excited the terror and alarm of every thinking mind; many took fright and ran into the street just as they left their beds. In the early part of the night following two slight shocks were felt, which so alarmed the inhabitants of the place that many would not venture to bed at all, and those that did, slept in their clothes. It is remarkable that the animal part of creation appeared well aware of their danger, and their fears were only manifested by the noise of the cattle, dogs, cats, and fowls.

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