 The latest sensation is an earthquake shock, which visited Omaha and vicinity at about twenty-five minuets to twelve o'clock this morning. It was pretty generally felt all over the city, both by people on the streets and in buildings. In the large buildings especially the shock was very distinctly felt, creating intense excitement among the occupants and causing a rush for the doors. The shake lasted from a half minute to a minute and a half, according to the statements of different parties. It was a genuine shake up as thousands of persons can testify. Probably the most excitement occurred at the postoffice building. The United States Circuit Court was in session in the large court room on the third floor. The pro rata case of the Kansas Pacific and Denver Pacific railroads vs. the Union Pacific railroad was occupying the attention of the court. Judge Usher was just opening the case for the plaintiffs, when suddenly the large clock on the wall back of the Judge's seat, swung to and fro, the large chandelier, suspended from the ceiling, swayed this way and that, and a general vibration of the whole of the whole building was noticed. A general panic ensued, Judge Usher stopped short in his argument. The numerous crowd sprang to their feet and started for the door. The United States' District Attorney, Mr. Neville exclaimed, "There's an earthquake." His assistant, Mr. Doolittle followed him, saying "For God's sake let's get out of here." Hon. G. W. Collins, of Pawnee City, became panicky, and said, "What's the matter? I am going out of here," and he hurriedly left the court room. In the various offices below, and especially in the internal revenue department, nearly all the occupants were startled and made a start for the doors. In fact there was hardly a person in the building but what felt the shock. At. first, however, caused by earthquake shocks. However the shock was soon over, but the excitement lasted some little time, and everybody had some incident to relate. Similar scenes occurred at the County Court house, where the Douglas county District Court was in session. C. A. Baldwin was addressing the jury in a trespass case, when several person ran to the windows. Mr. Baldwin asked Judge Savage what the matter was, and His Honor replied that it was an earthquake, but Mr. Baldwin, thinking it all a joke, resurmed the thread of his argument. The building vibrated slightly, but sufficiently to give nearly everybody a scare. In the County Clerk's office the clock was moved about half an inch, and some plants waved as if being blown by quite a lively little breeze. At military headquarters, the shock caused the inmates of the building to make a start for out of doors. In the upper stories of the Grand Central Hotel the shock caused some little sensation, and Mr. Thrall, the landlord, ran to the speaking tube and asked the clerk in the office below what was the trouble with the building. At the Omaha National Bank, and in the upper stories of Caldwell block, Central block and Creighton block the earthquake was distinctly felt. At the Smelting Works, in the lumberyards, in the BEE office, and in the Union Pacific headquarters building it was very strong, especially in the latter structure; where many of the employes in the second and third stories ran out of the offices, thinking that a heavy safe that was being hoisted to the second story had fallen, and a few of the clerks thought the building was tumbling down and went outside to satisfy themselves. In every quarter of the city similar incidents transpired, and in a few minutes everybody had come to the conclusion that Omaha had been struck by an earthquake wave. ------------ Along the U.P. Railroad Despatches received at Union Pacific headquarters show that the earthquake extended from Omaha to Sidney, and was felt at nearly every station on the road between these two points. The wall of the court house at Columbus were cracked in nine different places. At North Platte the school children hurriedly vacated the school building. |