Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-06-14
Total Destruction, by m EartIlUuake
of the City of Mendoza.

correspondent from Valparaiso, writing
on the Sd Of April, gives the paticulars Of
one Of the most terrible affairs, if true. Of
the age. The City Of Mendoza in the
Argentine Republic, South America. with
$4,000 Inhabitants, was completely des-
troyed by an earthquake on the evening of
the goth of March last. The mail carrier
from there describes the awful affair
Burno stated that he arrived at Mendoza
on the morning of the 20th; that at half
past eight Z. Nj. a brief but excessively
VIOLENT shock of earthquake, lasting but six
or eight seconds, destroyed every building,
public and private, in the city and that the
number who were enabled TO escape was
very limited The streets being narrow.
the buildings highland The inhabitants totally
unused TO such phenomena, were paralyzed
with terror, aud neglected to seek refuge in
the opening courts Of their dwellings until
to late. The postmaster was buried beneath
the ruins OF the post office the Governor
was missing, and when asked why lie
brought no certificate tnat the mails were
lost the messenger replied -" There was
no one left to write it, nor meterials to write
with.''
The aspect presented by the city after
the first shock was terrible. Hoarse sub
terranean thunders deafened the air, animals
of all kinds rushed franticly through the
open space bowling, the earth opened and
vomited forth floods of water, while, to
crown the scene of horror, flames burst from
the ruins and consumed nearly the entire
business portion of the city, with its dead,
its dying aud its wounded.
The earth still continued to tremble at
last accounts, aad the few walls that had
resisted the first shock one by one fall.
until not yestage Of building remains
The mountain roads are in a most dagerous
condition, not only on account of the huge
masses Of rock that have alredy fallen to
obstruct the road, but because the vibration
Of the earth is still hurling them down from
the heights above into the valley.
The gaqctes, or natives of surrounding
country, hastened TO tie spot, not to assist
the needy or aid in rescuing the wounded
iron lingering death, but 10 seek for plum.
der among the smoking ruins, and to snatch
the little saved from the wretched survivors.
One gentleman writing from thence, after
describing these horrors, says -" believe
that IN few days we shall have no other
law here than that o. the poignard.'
The prison was destroyed; but of 100 in
mates 90 perished. The remaining eight
who we're already hardened villains, formed
themselves into band of freebooters, and
had gone it was supposed, to the mountain
passes, to intercept and rob the parties sent
from Chile for the relief Of the sufferers.
One woman was found robbed and murdered
by the roadside. She was recognized as
one who was on her way to Mendoza 10 see
hsr family. They too had all perished ON
the 20th.
In the Jesuit Church there was preach
ing that night. The services had Just con-
cluded, and the congregation was about
when the shock came. The few
who had reached the plaza were saved. but
the wall and roof of the building fell inward |
with crash, and priest and peniteat to-
geather were hurried into eternity.
The latest advice from Mendoza repre- I
sents the suffering TO be extreme, there be- 1
ing neither food, claihing nor shelter for the +
everything being buried beneath 1
The ruins. They also state that San Juan
and San Luis, Two other Populous cities of
the Confederation, have shared ike fate,
the San jean river, after the shock, left lis
btd and swept ever the town, utterly des-
iroying what the earthquake had spared.
This news not having been fully confirmed.
| do not however voaGh for lis correctness.
As soon as this disastrous news was rem
lefcd beyond question, the government and
private individuals sisd with one another
IN enerseiie efforts 70 send immediate relief
10 their saiEsriag brethren.
The slUesn aad terror spr,ad throughout