The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1853-12-15
Earthquake Shock in South America.

Earthquake Shock IN South America.
We have been permitted to make the
following extract from letter written
from Lima, South America, by Robert
Winter, of chemical diorama notoriety, to
friend in this city, in which he gives an
account of the recent earthquake shocks
in Peru:-Cm. Eng.
'LrMA, Oct. 25, '53.
eve are, as l before stated, in the
Land of earthquakes and our expecta
tons were fully reused by the hopes of
witnessing one of those wonderful con-
vulsions of nature, more particularly as
the inhabitants informed us that there had
not been one for a very long time, as it
was nearly three months since the last
occurred.
The city of Callao, situated but six
miles from here, was once destroyed by
an earthquake and thousands of inhabi-
tants destroyed. This event is duly sol
emnized on every anniversary by grand
professions, the carrying of saints thro'
the city, and other ceremonies incident
to Catholic country, and which is con-
tlnued for three days in succession. The
first day passed off smoothly enough
but singular to relate, on the morning of
the second day, about six o'clock, the
whole city was aroused on sudden by
an awful shock, and what they term here,
double one. I will attempt to give
some faint idea of it: On a sudden we
experienced a tremendous trembling of
the earth accompanied by an indescriba-
bic rumbling noise and a swinging sensa-
ton. Instantly everything was in confu-
sion, all Discriminatory rushing into the
streets and plaza just as they emerged
from their beds; women rushing frantical-
ly, screeching for help and safety when
no help could be afforded, as all were a.
like in the same precarious situation, each
one feeling as though he stood on the
brink of a precipiee and knew not but the
next moment would plunge them into
eternity.
"You may fancy the terror and con-
sternation existing at this moment; but
fortunately, like most earthquakes, it las
ted but short time, although moments
seemed heightened to an indescribable
length when CONSERVATION was wrought
to the highest, and no one could flee to
any spot and say he was safe. Fear was
depicted on every. countenance, even on
those who we may say were used to such
occurrences, more particularly as thiswas
the severest they had experienced for more
than twenty years.
Before we had quite recovered from
the first shock, and partially dressed, we
/, were alarmed by another, but not so Sc
we're one as the first, yet SO powerful as
to be most disagreeable; and even with
this one the houses rocked to and fro, the
windows ratified, and door swung on then
hinges. I felt but little fear during this
one, and called Williams attention to the
nudity of several females in the street,
mixed in the awe-struck crowd. About
four hours from the first or principal
shock, we were again visited by third,
which alarmed me considerably, as we
occupied two-story house, and the ma
jority here are but one story, being con-
sidered safer
"Throughout the day every slightnoise
was a signal for flight, in expectation of g
recurrence, and as night approached al
felt fearful of retiring to bed; sleep was
out of the question. About three O'Clock
next morning we had two other slight
shakes, but we were getting used to them
and SO soon got over these. Thus you
will perceive we had five distinct shocks
in the space of nine hours, and two slight
ones on the day following, which is pretty
good, and has fully satisfied my curiosity
on the subject of quakes. One feature
is very remarkable relative to the feelings
of the public here, on account of the
above calamity. The police caused the
| theatre to be closed, but they did not in
terfere with my exhibition, SO Iopened on
the second night after the great quake.
and had full houses three nights in success
sion, thus shaking the dollars into my
treasury, and making good the old adage
There is but one step from the sublime te
the ridiculous 4"
A SENSIBLE BoY.-A miserly old lady
kept an inn. One day famished sold
ier called on her for something to eat
Some bones, that had been pretty vel
picked were placed before him. After
finishing his dinner, little son of the