The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-06-07
a Humorous Account of the Earth
quake In Valparaiso.

A correspondent of the Boston Journal,
writing from Valparaiso, April 10, describes
the recent earthquake thus:
eve have had an earthquake, not one OF
the tirst-class magnitude, but still the
strongest that has been felt in Chill since
1851. There was but little loss of life, as far
rs have heard, only one child being killed.
Still 1t was but one step removed from uni
yersal disaster and ruin. Had it lasted but
few seconds longer, or had it been one
degree more severe, the tale would have
been told in universal ruin, in cities de-
stroyed, and thousands hurled In an in
slant into eternity.
Fortunately I have to tell you of gen.
eral CONSERVATION, and of scenes rather
comical than tragical. My roommate, who
has been through many an earthquake here
and in Peru, rushed out Of the room en-
dishd6iHe. The house was sWaying back
ward and forward like tree shaken by the
wind. There was but little noise. other
than the cracking Of the timbers, and the
usual heavy rumbling that precedes and
accompanies all earthquake was wanting.
The house in which / live is built against
the hill, and there is an egrcss by the roof
to the hill behind, which we have often
spoken of rs being the safest refuge
in case of a severe earthquake. SIN
eularly enough l did not feel the
slightest alarm, probably through igno-
rance, rs / find that those who have seen
most of the earthquakes fear them most.
But as the rest had all lett, thought it best
for ME to go too. Not caring, however, to
appear in public without the customary
clothing, was making frantic efforts to put
on my pantaloons, but the room shook so
that found it difficult to stand. When at
last | got on my pantaloons L started for
the door, but by this time the shock was
over, and did not really leave my room.
AS the people of the house slowly returned
to their rooms, / saw only pale faces and
trembling limbs. DR.. Baker, dentist. who
occupies the room below ME, had u patient
in the chair. He ran for the hill, with bis
patient following him.
The universal custom here is, on the first
symptoms of a shock to rush at once into
the street, without considering that in
narrow street, lined by tall houses, it is the
most dangerous Of all places. The streets
in nearly all parts Of the city were filled by
people rushing from their dwellings in in
describable confusion, with terror depicted
on their countenances. Many women
tainted, and nearly smote their breasts, cry
ing out Msericordia. Some were dressed,
others partly dressed, and many nearly
naked. AS soon as the shock had ceased
there was natural inquiry rs to the amount
of damage done, and it lwas found to be
surprisingly small.
The cornice WAS thrown from new build
ing in the Plaza de Ia Municipalded, and Il
boy and girl who were passing at tie time
were injured by the debris, the latter so
severely that she died the next day. The
walls of the MERGED Church were cracked
in several places, and, as service was being
held at the time, there was great panic
and rushing for the street, in which many
women tainted, and others, in the rush,
thrown down and severely bruised. A like
scene occurred in the other churches.
Many houses in various parts Of the city
were cracked, but none thrown down. In
the hospital many bed-ridden patients
found sufficient strength to rush out of
doors.
Men in the BARRIERS shops rushed into
the streets with napkins under their chins,
some partially shaved and others just lath-
cred, and the BARRIERS with either the razor
or brush in their hands. A young Ameri
can dentist, Emmons by name, was filling
lady's tooth when the shock occurred.
He rushed into the street with his instru-
ments in his hands, the lady following him
with napkin in her mouth. Cole, of the
New York Herald, was playing billiards,
and rushed into the street with i cue in
his hand and without his hat, more
frightened, he assured me, than he had
ever been in his life. A few days before he
was expressing great desire to feel an
earthquake. He says he is entirely salts.
fed, and doesn't want any more"