The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-15
THE EARTHQUAKE IN PERU.
The Destruction Of acknowledgements
Scenes-SOme Facts About the Cry-,rhe
Eruption Of Mount Misti.

Scenes-SOme Facts About the City-Th,
Eruption of Mount Misti.
RUINS OF THE CITY or AREouIpA,l
August IA, 1868.
Yesterday, August 10, at twelve O'Clock, / arrive
IN the city OF Arequipa. had to attend to som
business which took about four hours and a half
then went to the hotel to take dinner About te,
minutes to five p. NJ. sat down to dinner In com
pany WIN Tour other gentlemen. We had got abou
haf through dinner when we felt the first symptoms
OF the earthquake. We got up quickly from the
table and ran to the nearest street corner q dis.
lance of not more than one hundred feet BY the
time we got there the foundation of the earth
seemed to have given away and the noise beneath
our feet was perfectly horrible The whole country
together with the mighty mountains that surround
this place seemed to be anoat without anchor or
buoy At this stage Of the scene it was heartrend.
ing beyond description, the houses falling all over
the city. making terrible noise, like the roars Of
many cannon. This, together with the terrific rumb.
ling noise beneath, made think that not only the
last day, but the last second had come and half
gone. Every second we expected 70 feel the earth
open and swallow us into its dark abyss. Oh how
we thought OF the great powers Of God and the un-
known future said feel the earth OPEN because
at this time nothing could be account OF the
dust from the falling houses. The heavy shock
lasted nearly seven minutes. Then there was lull
also the dust cleared away a little.
Ihen fresh scene was visible, such a one as
nope may never again be witnessed by this or any
other people. The dutiful son might he with
MS aged mother or helpless father his back or in
ms arms trying TO take them to place OF safety al
though no such place visible. The loving
brother or sister might be with little group OF
helpless children around crying for help and protec-
tioIi. Although young In years all seemed 10 realize
the terrible danger that surrounded them. The stout
husband held the falnting form OF his dear wife in his
arms she, although apparently UNCONSCIOUS, having
her little babe clasped firmly 10 her breast All over
tie streets and plazas humanity could he seen in
all imaginable manners praying crying, shouting,
running kneeng, falling and lying PROSTATE on the
ground.
The shock commenced exactly at FIVE O'Clock p NJ
and lasted between six and seven minutes. At the
same instant II was felt on the coast hundreds OF
miles from here, where am told, II did great
deal oil damage; but the particulars have not yet
heard. The small number killed and wounded IL no
doubt principally owing 10 the fact that nearly all
pretty wide.
..Arequipa was one OF the oldest cities in Peru.
When the Spanards first came to the country they
1ouhd quite large indian town where the late i'll
Iated city stood. The late city was built In a valley
al the base OF range OF the Cordleras and Inn
medlately at the foot OF volcanic mountain called
the Msti. Its elevation above the sea IL about
eight thousand five hundred feet The population Of
Arequipa was fifty thousand. IL IL noted for being
the birthplace OF ali the revolutions that ever were
got up IN Peru, ana al the time of it, destruction
another revolution against the newly elected Presi
dent was strongly talked Of.
From the best information that can get II IL just
one hundred and one years since there was was q
heavy earthquake In this pblce before, although
sight shocks have been very frequent At the time
oil the eruption those who &c outside the city
huge pieces Of mountain. II were split OF from
Tue outside, and together it'll heavy avalanches OF
snow and Ice, tumble dowp TO the bottom, making q
fearful noise The river IL at fed by the SHOWS OF
those mountains has inc ased least onethird In
SIDE OF SIX hours. In thy part OF the country IL rains
Dut Vert little, and then only the months OF De-
cemDer January and February; consequently the
sudden raise In the L yer must he caused by the
melung oil the snow nd ice from the internal heat
ah oe ouh,an IL Is mountain Is about 20 100 ieel
aoose tae level oil u sea. The country from here
30 lhe coast Is per .ectly barren without water OF
vegetation 0f any ind having all the oppearance OF
volcanic fOrmatr m
MI henry Mel ggs, the great Chilean railroad con
tractor nus aOV ut three thousand men WORKING on
inc Arequepas nd lsay Railroad. The work Is pro-
Rressny rapiu W Two hundred men from the rail-
lOau nave W n sent TO the city to open the water
COURSES anu relieve the suffering