Richmond Enquirer

EARTHQUAKE.

A concussion of the Earth was felt in this City on Tuesday morning, at half after 6 o'clock. It appeared to us a more remarkable phenomenon than any of the Earthquakes which took place in the memorable year of 1811. The houses were violently shaken; and doors, windows and all pendent bodies experienced a considerable vibration. It was accompanied by a loud rumbling noise; which was justly compared by a little girl to the sound of the Omnibus, as it rattled down our streets. It was less than a minute in duration—and it appeared to us to move from North East to South West.

In the course of the same day, it was reported that the coal pits of Mr. Brown, (late Barrand Anderson's) near Dover Mills, about 20 miles above this City, had caved in and destroyed 40 of the laborers. But, as usual, the facts were much exaggerated. There has been no excavation of the pit. The earthquake indeed produced a violent concussion and noise, resembling it is said a torrent of water tumbling down with irresistible impetuosity. The negroes in the pit were so much alarmed, by it that they rushed in a body to the shaft to make their escape. One of them seized hold of the rope of an ascending bucket—but at the height of 80 or 100 feet, his strength failed him, and he was precipitated to the bottom—dashing out his own brains, and killing another of the laborers upon whom he fell.

We should not be surprised to learn that the earthquake has penetrated beyond our mountains.—The Fredericksburg Herald says, it was felt there about half past 6 o'clock—and was the "severest shock remembered ever to have been felt in (that) place"—that its duration was from 10 to 15 seconds—and its course from West to East.—The Alexandria Gazette speaks of it as being "a slight shock," and of short duration, and as occurring at half past 6 o'clock.