The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-10-24 00:00:00

THE EARTHQUAKE IN GUATEMALA.

A correspondent of the Panama Star and Herald, writing
from Antigua, Guatemala, *ends the followiug account of
the terrible earthquake which took place there on the even-
ing of the led seft:—

At 8.30 p.m., without any previous warning, a strong
earthquake shook the ground violently in a direction
from west to east. The movement was a series of strong
vertical and horizontal impulses combined. The wave-
like undulations on the surface rose and fell at least a
foot. This, acting along the above-mentioned verti-
cal movement, made it almost impossible to move
about without being thrown on the ground. Neverthe-
less, everyone in the house managed to get out into
the courtyard, expecting every moment to see the
walls come tumbling down upon US. Being taken by
surprise, I can scarcely say what happened in the first
seconds, but I soon recovered equanimity enough to
note the direction of the shock by the swinging of the
lamp which hung in the portico of the Hotel de Comerieo,
where I was staving, and any other phenomena that
might occur. Bvery object around me was in motion.
It cave to me the feeling as if I had stepped into a
hole and there stumbled against an elevated body
which prevented me from recovering my equilibrium.
Added to all this there were the piercing cries of the
populace, the creaking and cracking of walls, loud
sounds like thunder from the earth beneath, the rattling
noise of tiles, houses and walls falling, which altogether
formed a hideous concert which can never be forgotten.
If you consider the darkness of the night made
this all the more impressive— that every visible object
was in violent motion, and that it was necessary to
halance.one's self with the greatest care to avoid a fall,
you will not be surprised that my observations of the
first moment of this catastrophe are rather scanty. A
strange perplexity seemed to paralyse all the mental
faculties. I think, however, I am correct in estima-
ting the duration of the first strong shock to have been
from 25 to 30 seconds. The contents of a large water-
tank in the court yard were thrown out in a broad
sheet of water. Wild screeches and screams continued
even after the first terror had a little subsided. lat
once saw that our policy was to keep quiet and away
from the walls. Long after the first shot had passed
there was still the noise of walls falling more or less
distant Suddenly arose the sounds of hundreds of
voices chanting a hymn to the Creator for mercy: the
solemn melody had a strange effect on my excited
I nerves and feelings. Many shocks followed during the
night of varying intensities, every one of which gave
rise to new alarms and new implorations for mercy.
The night seemed an age in length. Fortunately no
rain fell. At daybreak I went through the town to
see the extent of the mischief done. I judge about two
dozen houses that were inhabited have been destroyed,
causing, as far as I could learn, the loss of 32 hves.
The number of houses damaged, and which will have
to be torn down, will be found considerable. Many of
the old ruins of 1773 have suffered new damages. In
Guatemala, the capital, shocks were felt, but slight;
this fact, taken along with the direction of the earth-
quake, and its increasing effect being in a direct ratio
to the distance from the " Volcan del Fuego," makes
it probable that this mountain caused all the noc-
turnal disturbance above described. The Indians say
that three villages airle foot of the volcano have been
destroyed, though Us wants confirmation. During
the confusion and disaster of the earthquake many
narrow and wonderful escapes are related, as usual.
For instance, a mother was killed, but the child she
held in her arms was unhurt. Another woman got
hold of her child and her old mother, but in getting
out of the house the old woman was killed; and 80
on. Even during the terror of the first shock there
were not wanting perverse men, who appeared with
long knives for the purpose of stealing and murder-
ing, and tried to do so, but fortunately the poli-
tical chief of Antigua proved to be the right man
for the occasion. He took measures at once to put
down such pests of society, and saved the people of
Antigua from murder and plunder. The authorities
did their duty on this trying occasion, and deserve
public thanks. All the squares and open places of
Antigua are covered with tents and other modes of
shelter. The inhabitants look with fear to the
approach of night, expecting a repetition of the earth-
quake at the same hour. The children alone seem to
enjoy this new mode of life, regarding it probably as
a nice picnic. Happy childhood! Even carriages and
carte serve as temporary abodes. It will take some
time before the people of Antigua, Guatemala, re-
cover serenity of mind enough to go to sleep in their
tottering houses. Impressions of a strong shock of
earthquake are not easily forgotten or diminished by
force of will.