The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1875-07-21

! some apOthecarieS stores, instantly
became ignited, but strong rain con-
trolled the fire somewhat. Then fol-
| lowed q series of shocks for six sue
cessive nights, succeeding each other
hour after hour, each shock being
preceded by one, two or three detona-
! tions very similar to that proceeding
/ from the explosion of piece of artil-
lery of immense caliber. So violent
we're these shocks that it was neces.
sary to lay on the ground, and firmly
graspiDg some object, thus prevent
dangerous results. The terror, as
depicted in the countenances of the
survivors; the mourning and despe-
ration OF husbands, wives and chill
dren, who, with the utmost anxiety
solicited each other for sympathy and
.tidings of the lost; the cries and
groans of the victims expiring beneath
the ruins-this is picture which the
most vivid Imagination could not de-
scribe.
But the worst Of all was the pres
ence within three hours after that
awful catastrophe, which in its terror
and pathos would have reached the
heart of hyena-of bands OF thieves
who machete in hand, trod under foot
the bodies, and, deaf to the cries for
aid OF the sufferers still under the
ruins-theee men, reproach to the
human race, ransacked the ruins for
the gold that the honorable labor of
many years had accumulated. The
Columbian Guard stationed in that
city, if they. had been inspired by
philanthropic sentiments, could have
lent, by their character, important
services to the unfortunate inhabi-
tants, saving many lives and interests,
and elevating the national sentiment,
bat with conduct that abstain
from qualifying. they took up their
march in twenty-four hours, by way
Of Pomplona. Moet of the merchants
Of San Jose de Cucuta were Venezu-
clans Such Of these as did not leave
their bodies under the ruins of their
homes, and their widows and children
in mourning for them, saw buried in
the frightful ruins the fortunes they
had accumulated. According to the
adyices obtained from trustworthy
persons who had left the unfortunate.
place for this city, up to May %. there
had been destroyed by earthquakes
the following Venezuela towns: San
Antonio, Capacho, Tariba, San Girls
tobal. Lobatera, Michelena, Colon,
San Juan de Urena. and Guaismos.
Of the towns belonging to Columbia.
the following were destroyed San
Jose de Cucuta, Rosario, Pueblito,
San Cayetano, Santiago, Salazor, CAL
urdo. Arbaleda, Chuiacota and Cucu-
tella. The total value of the property
lost at San Jose de Cucuta is as. fol-
lows:
Value of the buildings............... 81, $50 OCO
Coffee and other products.--...........2 ,0C00o0
Jewels, furniture and other per-
,oOo 600
Accompanying this is list Of
prominent persons who, according to
trustworthy advices, lost their lives
at the great earthquake of that day.
In it will be read the names of honor
able Venezueians who contributed
with their intellects and their. re-
sources to the progress of that city,
and the development of agriculture
and the national commerce. [ con-
clude these adviccs under the most /
sorrowful impression, bringing to the, !
knowledge of the ministry of the |
iNustrious American President Of the |
Republic that the archives, coat-of- |
arms, consular seal, and the national
flag remain buried in the ruins of the !,
city Of San Jose de Cucuta. |