Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1868-11-25
Ghoite Miseelluug.
VIVID ACCOUNT OF THE GREAT
EARTHQUAKE.

The recent earthquake in South Am
erica which, in its terrible fury, laid waste
the cities and towns along the western
coast for distance of six hundred miles,
and resulted in the destruction Of fifty
thousand human beings, is still subject
Of interse interest to the general reader,
and anything new, strange or startling
relating thereto lis perused with. eager
ness. Since the destruction of Lisbon,
an event which has become one of the
great h storcal epochs of the past century,
there has occurred nothing in the way
of catastrophe to compare with this in
attending terror and loss of life. II is
not strange, therefore, that the recent
commissions should receive SO much con-
sideration, and form topic of such gen.
eral interest.
Mr.. Brown, to whom we are indebted
for the very interesting details that will
follow, is fine specimen of genuine
American, at home everywhere, even in
an earthquake. Of superior intelligence,
and endowed with powers of keen obser-
vation, his account may be relied upon as
among the best that will ever be given to
the public of that calamitous affair, and
in the attending results of which he was
an important actor. Entering po.t al
most Simultaneously with the Santiago,
arrived the United States man-of-war
Wateree, with tull complement of sail
ers and marines. During few days pre-
vious to the earthquake the Americans
thus arrived came frequently together,
and on the fatal afternoon, the 18th of
August, party, including Mr.. Brown,
were on a visit to the eastern part of
THE CITY.
Iqnique, or the greater portion thereof,
lies upon low ground, formed in sort OF
basin, at the foot of considerable noun.
tain range. Some of the better class of
private residences are built up the noun
tain side, to the height of several hun
dred feet, but the Custom House, the
business places, the work shops, &c.
were all located upon this low ground
which gradually rose towards the noun
tain. 1t was near o'clock in the after.
noon, the weather being extremely close
and sultry, wheu the first symptoms of
THE EARTHQUAKE
we're experienced. For many minutes
before there were any physical demonstra
ttons, everybody seemed filled with feal
of some impending danger, and gener
al and almost painful uneasiness was OBJ
servable, especially among the natives
Suddenly the worst fears were realized
A low, rumbling sound, like the tramp O.
a thousand horsemen, was heard in the
distance, and, as it rapidly approached
the earth began to tremble. The party
of Americans we're only surprised at the
strange noise, but the natives, and, as il
guided by instinct, at the first sound oi
the approaching rumble left their houses
old and young, and fed the city. With
those who appreciated the terrible danger
that was surely coming, there was bu
little time for deliberation, and not know
ing from what direction to expect The
dread powers, and not knowing where
there was danger or safety, the people
ran in every direction, and thousands in
TO LllC fClY jaws VI uCoIu' ACll Hill uIG
after the first symptoms were experienced
the work of destruction was begun and il
half an hour the work was completed
Both land and water lad done their worl
of death, and from that one city of 20, ,0o(
inhabitants, alone, Is, 900 were suddenl,
called before their Maker.
THE WORK OF DESTRUCTION.
When the party of Americans saw th'
natives hurrying towards the mountain
they, apprehensive of coming danger, fol
lowed the example. They had gone bu
a few steps, however, when the earth un
derneath their feet began to shake ant
tremble, and otherwise comport itself il
such a violent manner that an uprigh
nosition was held only with the creates
difficulty. Simultaneously with thes'
powerful throes of mother earth, there
arose vast and impenetrable cloud G om
posed of dust, and even goodly-sizet
gravel stones aud what the attending
darkness allowed TO remain visible, tho