Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-06-09

memory and the smoke and ashes which arise from
The confusion The scene Of thrilling and aw-
full sublimty
When the first intimaton of the breaking up of the
convuscd earth received by the nhabta ns of the
ces ana towns they, struck with horror into the
middle of the wide Streets and kne in fervent prayer
to Cod to them from the threatening destruction
Our informant, who was among the number says that
ne saw families run from their DOORS and Just they
et their thresholds, their buildings mostly of brick
came umbng down after them. 1t is a most fortunate
thing for the people OF the country that the shock
ut midday Had it taken place in the middle hour of
night they would have been compelled flee for safety
without even the suit of clothing they now have
making their suffering much greater
II Is matter of history, that between the years 1920
and 1852. five great Earthquakes occurred in Chill
That on the 10Th of March, 1867 destroyed great part
of the capal that the 18th of June 1880 drove the
against the City of Concept and oyerthrew its
walls; and that the Goth of May, l75l completely
destroyed that city, which again inundated by the
villages lying between lat. 81 and 40 South The shocks
continued at intervals than a month Not nm in
dvidual human life, however, lost this OCCASION
except some invads, who were drowned in Conception
In l1ol, Conception rebuilt on the north side of the
river Biobio, about league from the sea.
The subJoned letter from gentleman at Tacuahana,
received at the Exchange News. Room, contains int.
resting particulars:
"TALcAHuASA, March l. 1896
"On the morning of Friday, the 10Th Feb 1895 about
~ minutes past III o'clock visited the
most awful earthquakes experienced by the oldest
inhabitants of this place. The morning calm md &C.
rene and will prove evcrmemorsbc date TO the ma
ny miserable souls, who fed to and are now inhabtng
the barren hills. The LIST shock lasted about four mi
nutes and half causing the mountains and valleys
roll like the waves of the during the severity OF
st shock (Which great that person could
ly keep uprght,) looked around for moment to meet
my fate, but spared TO be thankful and may consider
myself one of the fortunate in making my escape from
the falling but PROSTATE ruins Conception city
containing 70 900 inhabitants is heap ruins being
built principally ofbrick, there is habtab
dwelling eit standing within the limits of city, or for
leagues around The shock from s. + course pros.
tratng everything in It's way. number ofsmall towns
have been heard from in its course; Chdian Tacn Are
dam Congas, Erras Pcura ST Carlos Vaoga and Angles
have all met the fate Talcaluana port of Con
ception, is completely demolished Ii was not only
shaken down, but the fragments of houses stores &c
were afterwards swept away by the sea- which retired
about fifteen minutes after the first shock leaving the
shipping then lying atanchor in the harbour entirely dry
IL came in rising to height of twenty feet above the
level overwhelming the whole place. Men, women and
children fled to the mountains but many overaken
and swept to the ocean by the returning waves which
completed the destruction of the town. deprivinp
hundreds OF families of second garment, many OF
were IN good circumstances, but destitute
Furniture OF all kinds swept with the houses,
even leaving vestge confirm the of the situa
ton OF his former habitation and it requires eye wit
ness to be convinced of the immense devastation it ha
caused"