Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1858-01-28


lation passed the night in the streets, and
the next day brought with it the same
wonderful summerlike weather that we
have had for the last two or three months
During the day great anxiety prevailed
among the provincials to know TO what
extent their families might have suffered,
and the telegraph Office was so besieged,
that sentinel was placed before it to pro-
hibit all persons from entering. On walk
ing through the Toledo, crowds were as
sembled looking at the assures that had
been made in some of the lofty houses
The Monastery of the Jesuits gave SINH
lar indications of the terrors Of the pre-
ceding night, and | was told that the
great bell had been rung by the shock
According to an opinion entitled to some
respect, the electric current had travelled
from south to north. Naples having been
at the extremity Of it 80 that intelligence
from the Gala brios was anxiously expec-
ted. The Official Journal of the night
of the 18th, says that no news had been
received at Salerno from Sala, Lagonegro,
or the Calabrios, Notwithstanding repeat
ed inquiries by the electric telegraph
On the same evening, the following let
ters to the directors of the Official Journ-
al, from the direc tors of the Royal As
Economical Observatory at Capo di Monte,
was published +: i hasten to toapprise you
that last night at lo.1OP. NJ, the shock
Of an earthquake was felt which lasted
four or FIVE seconds. This was followed
by another of much greater intensity after
an interval of two minutes, lasting about
twenty seconds. Both shocks were un-
dulatory. The destructive character of
this shock is shown by the fact Of two
pendulum clocks of the Observatory
having been stopped, while three con-
tinued in movement, as also by the fs-
sures at the base Of the tower on which
the equatorial machinery is placed. Two
other light shocks were felt at and on
the following morning." On the night
of the 17lh, as there was common ex-
pectation that the shocks would be re-
peated, great numbers of people passed
the night in the streets. On the morning
of the 18th more details were brought
into the city, which condense. The
electric telegraph had been interrupted
between Eboli and Sala, from which lat
ter place very affecting intelligence had
been received. Three lives had been lost
and the prison and the barracks had been
opened from top to bottom. In Atena
half the houses had fallen in Padula
more than 100 houses had given way,
and it is not known how many persons
had perished In Polla, the disasters
were immense and the victims numerous,
among whom was the brigade of gend-
armes in Auletta, Pelrosa, and Caggi-
ano the deaths and ruin of houses were
very many in Salerno, too, numerous
houses and assures opened, among which
were two churches, the Palace of the In
tendenza, and the barracks of the gend-
armes, the belfry and the church of Sal
dana also gave way. and two women in a
neighboring house were killed; in Cam
pagna many houses were injured. To-
ward evening Of Friday, (last night)
news arrived from Basilicata that in Po-
tenza great destruction had been occa-
stoned, many houses had been thrown
down, and a large number of persons, how
many is not known. had perished. The
telegraphic despatch from Bari is imper-
feet; it runs thus: " The greater part
of the inhabitants are )" This in
telligence is official, but from other and
very reliable sources l hear that the dis
asters are greater than have been given
out. Every moment brings notice of
some fresh misfortune, but must reserve
further details for my next letter. In this
capital most of the houses have suffered
more or less, and every place in the i'm
mediate neighborhood has some disaster
to recount.
Decimal currency took the place Of the
old pounds. shillings and pence. in Can
ada. on New Years day, according to
act Of Parliament, and the Canad ian pa