Weekly Trinity journal. [volume] (Weaverville, Calif.) 1857-1972, 1868-12-26
The Late Great Earthquake.


The Late Great Earthquake.
Later adyices from the scenes of this awful
phenomenon places US in possession of facts
which prove its devastations to have been more
widespread and fatal than at first supposed.
For the 80, 900 lives then given sacrificed, the
true aggregate, we learn, more than
60, 900 while the treasure lost, instead of being
$500, 900 900, must be accounted as approxim
atng to $500 900, 900. This, unquestionaby the
greatest earthquake of which he have recor1,
is the successor of a multitude of others that
have occurred at different epochs in South
America, section Of globe which has been
apty designated, by men of science like the IL
lustrious Humboldt, the :" backbone of the
earth" There such things are necessarily of
frequent occurrence, and would be even more
numerous and more violent than they have been,
had not nature provided certain mediums for the
discharge of the inward fire which underlays the
earth, and 10 which it owes its vitality and pow
ers of production. Science has long since de-
monstrated the fact, that what we know in the
light of a general phrase, as the earth, is mere
crust about thirty miles in depth, and beneath
which all is seethlng mass of fire. This, IN
tropical quarters, seems to be more ardent than
in others at all events, it breaks forth there
more often than elsewhere, certain portions of
the earth never being visited by such disturb
ances at all and when it does manifest its
Several of the incidents recorded in associa-
tion with the recent great phenomena in South
America were of a deeply thrilling description.
The disturbance of the earth, undermining even
the sea, caused ships to be thrown theretrom on
the dry land, to be, in sonse Instances, engulfed
in terrible chasms, filled up as soon as opened.
The ocean, too, answering to the mighty and
mysterious Impetus became disturbed, and
rolled in gigantic waves from point to point, at
the rate OF a thousaed miles an hour; dark
clouds shut out the MONDAY light of the sun,
and horribly dscordant rumblings, louder than
the loudest thunder, smote upon the ears of the
afirighted people. Incidental to this in one
quarter, we have to count signs in another,
which suggest a repetition there Of what has
transpircd in the ordinary regions of such
troubles. Along the Sandwich Islands, for ex-
ample, informed by a reliable authority
that mighty assures of the earth extending un-
interruptedly for more than four hundred miles,
have been found. g What these?' is the
question fearfully asked by thousands who have
heard of the Peruvian earthquakes. 1t takes no
great skill to answer these queries, to the effect
that the horrible gaps or seams in the earth
spoken of have resulted from the surcharged
and astral heat of the globe we inhabit, and one
day may open WIDER and bury beneath them
cities, populations and treasures.
In the recent terror it is our business particu-
larly to illustrate, mighty buildings, even whole
streets, fell in less than moment their scat
tered remnants making hideous heap, and
throwing up cloud of dust which was not dis
PEELED for hours afterwards. Subsequent to this
the earth would shake or open in the latter case
swallowing crowds of people while, closing,
parts of the unfortunate victims would be
posed-heads and limbs belonging to men,
men and children, all in confusion. Among ter
rors like these may be included one which
correspondent cites as follows:
General Fitzpatrick reports singular and
horrible sight occurred at AFRICA, the south
side of the ruined city. As the earth opened
and yawned, there came up five hundred mum
mics, who stand in long lines, facing the sea,
every one of the skeletons in perfect preserva-
tion, the hands doubled up and supporting the
chin, the knees drawn up, and the feet support
ing the fieshess body. This must be one of the
most frightful sights possible, and quite beyond
description. The spot where these mummies
now stand was once an old cemetery, some
ninety years ago, it is said, and these skeletons
are doubtless the tabled Incas and Indians, who
buried themselves alive were inferred in this
manner. They correspond exactly to the old
mummies of the lncas, which described in a
former letter as among the curiosities to be seen
IN the museum at Lima. AS the ground re-
ceded, what ghastly spectacle amid the tbroes
OF an earthquake, the coming up again TO earth
of these long-buried skeleton remains -
Coon SToRY.-The following is ehargeable to
the Portsmouth Times A weil-known news
paper correspondent, in an adjoining town fur
nishes US with the following good story 1t is a
genuine one, and will be recognized by many
who are familiar with the facts There was a
certain man, whom shall call Smith, because
that wasn't his name, and he courted IL girl or
rather wanted to, whose name we will call
Brown. Now Smith wasn't so smart in matters
matrimonial as he might have BEEN and fellow
named Jones '' sailed in" and "cut him out ~
Jones married the girl and in due course Of time
Mrs Jones presented her husband with nice
little daughter. About fifteen years afterward,
Smith was strolling around in the neghborbood
where his former sweetheart used to perambu-
late Meeting Jones daughter returning from
| school, Smith thought he could detect in her
countenance the wel-know and fondy-remem-
bered features of her mother. Wishing to en-
gage in conversation, he confronted the dansei,
when the following dialogue took place
SmiM-(who lisped a little)-Ain't your nA"e
Jonesth %
Miss JONES' Yes, sir" ,.,h,s
Smith-sAin't you Mistbers Thorn Jonesth
daughter?'' "
Mtss Jones-n Yes, sir" .,,o,,.
Smith, Well, NTH Jonesfh, came P''SN'
near being vour falher wonM| ,,..,. 1oos,h,,
7, ;s nse6iess to add that " Mltn 'ohrs'n
travelled.
srnrcrIvE PuBLnArIos.-The Dramatic he''e"
contains the following cheerful item 1T 10 ru-
.nIy nuhlic want a new daily