The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-06-19
Terrible Earthquake in China.


Our Minister in China, Gov. Lowe,
has forwarded to the Secretary OF State
the following translation of a report Of
terrible earthquake, from the Chinese
Governor-General of the province in
which it occurred:
have ascertained that Bathang lies on
u very elevated spot beyond the borders
of the province, about 260 miles west
from Ii Tang, and more than 30 post
stations from the district town OF Ia
tsien, on the high road to Thibet.
About II O'Clock, a. M, on the llth
of April. 1871. the earth trembled so
violently that the Government offices,
temples, granaries, stone and store
houses and Notifications, with NIL the
common dwellings and the temple OF
Ting-lin, we're at once overthrown and
ruined the only exception was the hall
in the temple grounds, called Ta-chae,
which stood unframed in its isolation.
A few of the troops and people escap--
ed, but most OF the inmates were crushed
and killed under the falling timber and
stone. Flames also suddenly burst out
in four places, which strong winds-drove
about until the heavens were darkened
with smoke, and their roaring was min
gled with the lamentations OF the dis
tressed people. On the 18th the flames
were beaten down, but the rumbling
noises were still heard under the ground
like distant thunder, and the earth rock
ed and rolled like ship in storm at
the mercy of the waves. The multiplied
miseries of the afflicted inhabitants were
increased by thousand fears, but in
about 10 days matters began to grow
quiet and the motion to cease.
The grain collector at Bathang says
that for several days before the earth
quake the water had overfowed the dyke,
but after it the earth cracked in many
places, and black, fetid water Spurted
out in furious manner If one poked
the earth the spurtinginstantly followed,
Just as in the case with the salt-wells and
fire-wells Tin the eastern part of the pro-
wheel; and this explains how it happen
ed that fire followed the earthquake 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 400 fathoms of wall
around it, and 351 rooms in all inside ;
six smaller temples, numbering 22l
rooms, besides !, $40 rooms and houses of
the common people. The number of
people, soldiers, and lamas killed by the
crash was 2,29S among whom were the
local magistrate and his second in office.
The earthquake extended from Ba-
thang eastward to Pang-Chahemuh,
westward to Nan-tun on the south to
Lin-tsah-shih, and on the north to the
salt wells of A-timtsz, u circuit of over
400 miles. 1t occurred simultaneously
over the whole of this region. In 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 beggared and scatter
ed like Autumn leaves !; and this calami-
ty to the people of Bathang and vicinity
was really one of the most distressing
and destructive that has ever happened
in this country.
The Governor General twice me-
morialized the Emperor respecting it,
who granted aid to relieve the 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-
tons and the roads are everywhere pass.
able.