The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-06-13
Correspondence of the N. Y. Tribune.l
:, Fearful Earthquake at Mendoza.

BUENos AYREs, S. A, April s, 1861.
You have doubtless heard that one of the
most fearful earthquakes on record occurred at
Mendoza, the capital of Province of Mendoza,
OF the Argentine Confederation, at 81 p. m. on
Wednesday, March 90 No nremonition was
given to the sky. The trembling of the earth
began without any volcanic excitanent in the
region in which the volcanoes abound, SO far as
we have yet learned No time was given to
the alarmed people to escape to the more open
portion of the city, OF to the public squares;
| in two or three minutes it was over, not one
| house remained standing, and of population
of 600 souls, not 1900 can anywhere be
found among the living. Not family remains
entire and of the persons who still live, large
numbers suffer with broken limbs or Commissions.
During the trembling, the ground heaved as
the bosom Of the ocean does under a heavy
storm, and men attempting TO run would be
frequently thrown upon the ground. This un-
dulating motion ofthe earth extended fer leagues
around the city. Some who escaped from the
! falling walls fell into the chasms which opened
everywhere, and as suddenly closed Shocks
were felt at intervals for two days.
The furthest reach of the trembling was from
east TO west, and we expect to have many furth
er accounts of loss to record In the city of
Buenos Ayers, 1000 miles to the east, the shock
So affected the timepieces that all clocks that go
with pendulum5 stopped at tie moment of the
V
Chill, but travellers some distance to the west
Of Mendoza felt violent shock and saw a vast
cloud Of ashes, fact that leads us to expect
accounts of volcanic eruption along the Andes.
The people, with only their clothing, gather
ed upon the hills and meadows, shelterless and
without food, except from fruits in two davs
! they had to remove further to escape pestil-
ence that threatened to follow the exposure of
so many putrefying bodies. What was availa-
Bile IN the wreck, was plundered by band of
despeTadoes who came in from the suburbs
A more perfect picture of desolation can bard.
ly be imagined. What was once city, well
! built and wealthy, is now an almost level mass
OF ruins. Not a wall remains not street can
be passed by horseman. 1t is utterly inca
pable Of being rebuilt. We have accounts of
but Two physicians who escaped with life and
limb. The Winter of this latitude is just CON-
menciug, and not only has poverty suddenly
decended onlhll the people, but also every fam
lily suffers from accident, and every industrial
pursuit is totally suspended.
The calamity has called out universal sympa-
thy. The National Government Immediately
appropriated $4,000 Spanish do liars and sent
TWO physicians with it. The province of Buenos
Ayers gave at once $4,000, and the subscrip-
tons from other sources, such as societies,
churches, Masons, and private individuals will
make 100000 more. Monte Vdeo gives 3d.
600, and all the villages and cities OF this great
valley are responding according to their aEali-
ty.
A collection was taken in the American H.
H. Church last night, amounting to about $3.50
Cther foleign churches here will do more Ply.
scian8 also have gone from this city.
Mendoza is, or, was about 200 miles east of
Valparaiso, the easterDyside of the great
Andes chain of mountains, in lat. 32deg 53min
south long. 69deg 9min west, in the midst of
beautiful plain nearly g 600 feet above the sea
and 80 miles from the volcano Of Ac oncagua.
1t was built chiefly ofsun-dried brick, and had
many fine buildings and beautiful gardens and
orchards. 1t had good parish church, some
converts, and shaded by tall poplars. Men
doza was theIenterepot OF tIade between Buenos
Ayers and Chill and was place of cansidera.
Die commercial importaEce.-Ed. TriJl