The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-06-09

AWFUL EARyHquAKH.-Our. Minister
IN Ohluh, Gov. Lowe. has forwarded to
Inc Secretary OF State the following
translation Of report of an earthquake
IN Bathang, in Szchuen, made by the
Ohinese Governor General Of the pro-
Vince in which it occurred: .o4
1 have asoertained that Bathanu lies
on very elevated. spot, beyond the bor-
ders Of the province, about 26O miles
West from Li-tang, ind more than thirty
post stations from the district town Of
Ia-tsien, on .the high road to Tibet.
About IL o'clock A. NJ, on the l1th Of
April, 1870, the earth trembled 80 yio-
lently that the Government Offices, tenn
pies, grenaries, stone and storehouses
and Notifications, with all the common
dwellings and the Temple of Ting-Lin,
We're at once oyerthrown and ruined.
The only exception was the hall in this
Temple grounds called Ta-Chno, which
stood unharmed in its isolation. A few
OF the troops and people escaped, but
most OF the inmates were crushed and
killed under the falling timber and stone.
Flames aleo suddenly burst out in four
places, which strong winds drove about
until the heavens were darkened with
smoke, and their roaring was mingled
with the lamentations of the distressed
people. On the 10th the flames were
beaten down, but the rumbIing noises
were still heard underground like distant
thunder. and the earth rocked and rolled
ike ship in q storm. ut the mercy of
the waves. The multiplied miseries of
the afflicted Inhabitants were increased
by thousand fears, but in about ten
days matters began to grow quiet md
the m otion to cease.
The grain collector ut Bathang says
that for several days before the earth
quake the water had overHowed the
dyke, but after it the earth craoked in
many Places, and black, fetid water
spurted out in furious manner. IF
one poked it the squirting instantly fol-
lowed, just as is the case with tile salt
wells and fire wells, lin the Eastern part
OF the province and this explains how
it happened that fire followed the EARTH
quake in Bathang.
AS nearly as is ascertained, there were
destroyed two large temples, the Offices
of the collector Of grain tax, the local
magistrate and the colonel, the Ting Lin
Temple, and nearly 700 fathoms of wall
around it, and 35l rooms in all inside;
Blk smaller temples numbering 22l
rooms, besides 1,849 rooms and houses
of the common people. The number OF
people, soldiers and limas killed by the
crash was 2,29S, among whom we're the
local magistrate and his second in Office.
The earthquake extended from Ba-
thang Eastward to Pang-chah -muh,
Westward to Nan-tun, on the South to
Lin!tsah-shih, and OH tho North To the
salt wells of A-tuntss, circuit of over
400 miles, It occurred simultaneously
over the whole Of this region. Iu some
places steep hills split and sunk into
deep pits; in others, hills on level spots
became precipitous cliffs. and the roads
and highways were rendered impossible
by distractions
The people were scattered and beg
CARED like autumn leaves, and this Gu
lamity to the people of Bathang and
vicinity was really one of the most dis
tressing and destructive that has hap
pened. The Governor General twice
memorialized the Emperor respecting it,
who granted aid to relieve tho misery,
reopen the roads between the post
houses, and rebuild or repair the. Offices
and dwellings as they were needed.
Many are now resuming their occupa-
tions, and the roads are everywhere pass
able.
The descriptions OF Paris just before