Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1873-05-03
THE SAN SALVADOR EARTH
QUAKE

DESTRUCTION OF THE CRY CoNFIRMED-
PARTICULARS OF TIE CALAMrrY-1HE
SCENE OF CoNsTERNATIoN-FoLCANIC
ERUrrIoNs, &c.
PANAMA, April 1l--Intelligence re-
ceived by previous mails from the North
is not only confirmed, but brings it to q
climax with the entire destruction OF
the capital of Salvador, and the ruin
of population of forty thousand people.
The first really violent shock occurred
on the 4th of March, at about 5 P. NJ,
destroying many houses. The quaking
continued with many intervals until
the morning of the 18th, when, at A.
p, two light shocks, succeeded by
strong one, destroyed the entire city
Sopapango, Hapango and San Thomas
have all suffered to lesser extent, rs
well as every city within a radius OF
twenty miles.
Only two buildings, the Hotel del
Plague and the government palace are
left standing. The loss is estimated at
s12,0OO,00O. The aggregate loss OF
life and wounded is five hundred.
Fortunately, owing to the first shocks
having frightened the greater part OF
the population from living in their
houses, the loss of life has not been so
great as it would otherwise have been.
Out OF population of 10000 which the
city of San Salvador was said to con
tain, the number reported killed and
wounded varies from 80 to 500.
In the midst of the dust and conster-
ration fire broke out i'll drug store,
but it was soon got under. The gov
ernment functionaries stood to their
posts and did their duty in a highly
creditable manner.
The President sent his family to San
ia Tecla, and established himself in the
principal square of the city i'll a tent,
repressed all attempts to disorder and
robbery and rendered assistance where
ever it WAS most needed. Any person
found carrying away properto not his
own, was shot.
The authorities still persist i'll rebuild
ing the city OH the same site, although
this is the eighth time within one hun
dred and fifty Years that the city has
been destroyed. Most people, never
theless, have removed to Santa Tecla.
The only building that wholly with
stood the shock was of timber. The
impulse at present is to import timber
from California for the construction OF
earthquake proof houses.
Aid and money have been rendered,
and sent from all parts Of the republic.
Everything has risen to exorditant
prices.
The Sisters of Charity have been as
siduous in their attendance on the sick
and wounded. Capt. Kennedy, of the
British man-ofwar Reindeer, gave all
the assistance he could, and offered the
ship for the use of Mr.. Riddle, United
States minister The latter, as well as
the government, sent letters of thanks
to Captain Kennedy.
Great fears are entertained that the
stoppage of the sewers, exposure of dead
bodies unrecovercd from beneath the
ruins and other morbifc conditions may
bring on an epidemic.
The fine bridge lately built across
the river on the road to Soyapango was
thrown down. Other roads are render
ed impossible by immense blocks OF
stone thrown down from the heights.
Some of them are 100 tons in weight.
Owing to the continuance of the shock
more than forty bodies were displaced
from the oriel inches in which they were
placed in the cemetery.
The earthquake is supposed to have
been caused by the suppressed volcano
of st. Thomas, one of the seven volca-
noes within radius Of thirty miles.
Izalco is at present in full blast, throw
ing down its sides constant stream OF
lava, and is visible at night along the
whole coast.
The officers of the Reindeer report
that the United States consulate was
mass of ruins inside, though the walls
were standing. The United States min
lister with his family had narrow es-
cape. During two days three officers
remained in San Salvador, and they felt
eight shocks In some places the ground
is cracked foot wide and very deep.
The crust of earth under the city is
evidently mere shell The ear placed
close to the ground hears noise like
running water. and the fall of heavy
stone produces hollow sound. The
Indians would never build on this site.
Nobody likes to be nobody, but ev-