Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1839-07-18
THURSDAY MORNING. JULY IS, 1889.

Indeed, almost the whole country is subject TO earth
quakes. A slight shock was felt at Sacapa while
was there. la l3fs remarkable earthquake oc
csrred near the volcano Of Chirripo. The shock,
commenced by an undalating motion from east "a
west, ard then the motion Was vertical and more
violent. Many buildings in the town of ST. Jose
were cracked, and the poriico Of the church and
one OF It's towers were thrown down. In the edia.
cent country, creviees OF various dimensions appaa.
red in the ground, rom the bottom OF which salt
water and sand were thrown up. The following
year the town OF Cartsgo was also afflicted BY an
earthquake, accompanied by a dreadful eruption OF
the volcano of Trasu. For some miles round. and
for the space Of three days. the country was cover
ed with a dense cloud of smoke and great masses
OF FIRE were emitted, the appearance OF which in the
darkness ofthe night was terrific and appalling.
But the latest and most noted eruption and
earthquake was that Of the volcano OF Cosisuina,
which occurred in 1885. The following account OF
1T is extracted from u report rendered by the com
mandant OF La Union, a seaport in the bay of Con.
chagGs, on the Pacific, and tho nearest place fany
consequence TO The volcano.
"Un the Goth inst. (Jan1ary, 1895, nj 8 O'clock
A. NJ, q dense cloud ola pyramidai figure was seen
rising IN the southeast. and a hollow rumbling noise
was heard at the same time and in the same direc.
lion. Ihis closd continued TO ascend lill il cover.
ed the sun, when il separated to the north and
ReNf '~eeHftFtHtAA Nhtb thf NWe tf&HtfAiEs~
Finally, 1t spread over the whole armament, and
enveloped every thing 10 perfect darkness; so
that the nearest objects became invisible. At4P.
M. the earth began To quake, and an unduiating
motion was felt, which gradually increased as it
continued. This was followed by a shower OF
phosphoric sand, which lasted till 8 in tbs evening,
when also u heavy fine powder began 10 fall
Thunder and lightning continued through the night.
Ga the 2ist there was another earthquake, and 80
/ xfpIont md Inn tb., 49, -.A,t -. ..x. ..tl
ing in a penilential procession were thrown 10 the
| ground. To the terror thus oocasioned. was added
the bowling Of beasts mixed with the cries of wo.
men ard children, and the Appearance Of focks oil
birds, and even OF some wild animals that came in
to the town as II 10 seek an asylum among men.
The daIkuess continued the whole of that day, and
was 50 complete as 10 make II necessary to use Ian.
terms. 1t was partially d~ispclled on The following
day, the 22d, although the sun was not yet yisi.
bic.
"'On The morning of the o3d, a tremendous re.
port was heard. succeeded by Others equally loud
and appalling, which could ouly I've compared to vi.
olent thuedef-elaps. or to the bring of the heaviest
artillery aud this new occurrence was followed by
increased showers of dust. From d~ay-break Of the
23d 10 10 A. NJ. of the sand day, there wa n partial
return oi light, and nothing coud be mo,e melsn.
choiy than the sight Of the obi eta now describsble
The streets were covered with a coat ofim white
dust. which, "a II filed up The inequalities Of the
pavemenIs, made them look perfectly smooth -
People were 40 dl,fgurcd 10y il that they had un
unnatural, ghost Like appearance, ind could not be
recognised except by the sound of their voices
The trees aud houses we've also covered with II,
and looked strange and dIsagrreabie, Yet these
unpleasant Signs were Infinitely preferable 10 the
darkness IN which We aeIe ogsin piui ged after sand
hour of 10, and ~bieh was ~ gfeat as al any hme
during ine ,~o preceding day. The general d.
iress, which had been somewhat assuaged, was
thus renewed. The terror nov was such. that more
than half Of the inhabitants determined 10 abandon
The town; and. Notwithstanding the danger atien.
ding this step, owing to the wild beasts and tigers
that had been frightened out OF the forests and
sought the habitations Of men, they went forth on
foot 10 seek refuge NJ the mountaits. firmly persun-
dej that they should never return To their hnrncs,
for they expected nothing less than The total de.
struction # he town
"'On the morning Of the 2iih, about 3 o'clock.
tire moon and a few stars were visible, as Il through
IA curtain. The Subsequent day was clear, although
the sun could not be seen. The dust continued TO
fall. which was now five or ak inches deep on the
ground. The 25ih and Goth were marked with fre-
Guent. though not so violent, earthquakes. Muny
Ufthe people are affected with catauhs, head aches,
or sore ,hroats, proceeding. doubtless, from he dust.
The cattle have also suffered considerably and
numbers Of binds may be seen lying dead in the
roads OF floating on the sea-
Before concluding this chapter, a few remarks
on the character and customs of the natives Of
Central America msy net be uninteresting. 1t is
only in the city Of Guatemala. aud in one or two OF
the larger towns, thai civilization and the arts have
made any cons derable progress. In the rest Of
the republican the country and in the villages
the simple and primitive n ode Of life Of the inhsb-
Ilan,s differs only in "A slight degree from that Of
the aboriginal Indians, whose condition and habits
have been slieady noticed. The manners AID dress
Of The ciuzens Of Guatemala are essentially the
same as those of the corresponding classes in the
mother country. The ladies, as IN Spain, wear the
~naaatilla and veil ~hen they go to chuich, and APP
pear without any covering on their heads when
walking out on a visit. They are fond OF adjoining
their head with flowers, and with high tortoise
she'll combs, some of which are very costly and
beautifully wrought. Caps are never worn; nay,
they are so much disllked, that even The elderly Ia
dies prefer an exposure Of their giey locks 10 wea-
ring them. lfthey go out in the evening. the head
is protected by a shawl or handkerchief; when ira
yelling, or on horseback, they wear a hat surmoun-
ted by a profusion of feathers. The pride and lux
ury of Guatemala lady is a richly embroidered
veil, a costly fan, and a valuable set OF jewels
Their passion for the latter is remarkable. as also
for ineiy of every kind. They are generally we'll
formed and graceful, and very proud OF a pretty
foot. A compliment To this part Of a lady's per-
son il the surest mode Of winning her smiles.
"On the part Of the man, their taste for dress
is chiefly exhibited when they are equipped for ira
yelling. At such times, their swords, their spurs
Of Invasive silver, their ponlards with shea,hs Of the
same metal. the ~trappings oftheir horses elaborate.
y embroidered with silk, and their other ornamets,
imply an expense of not less than a thousand dol
lars.
"They have a great partiality for religious cere-
monies and professions. That Of Corpus Christi,
which witnessed during my stay there. is the
grandest and most admired. The procession was
headed by a body of cavalry, composed Of citizens,
who were all mounted and dressed. Then came
"A number OF other citizens on foot, with lighted Ia.
pers in their hands. These we're followed by the
authorities and the clergy; and then came the
prclate, who represented the bishop. arrsyed in his