Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-06-18
Terrible Earthquake in View Granada.
1900 PERSONS KILLED.

lDtVJJ FEHsONS klLLlaD.
The earthquake in New Granada, South
America, on the 18Th Of May, by which
1900 persons (and perhaps even morel
lost their lives, was by far the greatest ca
lamity Of the sort that ever happened in the
western hemisphere, and i probably sur
passed by none in the history oftbe world,
except the Lisbon earthquake, by which
nearly 7O,OO0 lives were destroyed iu Port
ugal and the country across the Mediterra-
mean in Africa. The details Of the disaster
are necessarily very meagre, since slmos;
everybOdy in the region was killed. but it
is certain that the whole valley OF Cucnia
was devastated.
The country is in the province OF Pam
plona, a mountainous region Of New Gran.
ada, near the border Of Venezuela, the
peak OF AlmorsEadero, 12,SJO fee; high.
being the principal one Of the range. The
country is about go miles from the Carib-
bean sea and in an caslerly direction from
Panama. The earth in the region is very
volcanic, and shows traces q previous
earthquakes on every band, the soil being
much heated at some parts even before this
VI - Al tal@Es nut IA slAAt VI AuE Wtls-
known instability of the earth, there was a
large population, and an extensive foreign
trade, which has made the Colombian poT-
ton Of the territory and the state o ( San
lander well known to the onward world.
coffee and cocua being the leading articles
OF export.
Tie destruction was caused not alone by
the shaking OF the earth, but ny direct vol
cauic action upon the towns. The city OF
san Jose de Cucuta, from which only few
families are reported saved, had 1900 ill.,
ha bitants. \ neiehboriug volcano opened
on this town and Santiago, constantly pour
ing out lava and ashes, and one store in the
former is particularly mentioned as bav-
ng been set ablszs by ball OF fire from
the mountain. The greater part Of Slnii-
ago, having 600 Inhabitants, was destroy
ed. san Cris;obal, with 1900 Inhabitants,
Arboleda aud Cuculilla, with 5000 each,
were nearly wiped out, and little is LEFT OF
San CAyetano, which had a population OF
1000, while porto Of Granalote (popula-
ton 800 is gone. San Jose de Cucuta was
founded in 1854, and was the principal city
OF the republic OF Santauder. The work
was done too spec Oily, Of course, 10 admit
OF flight or any ether precautions, the
shock lasting but ihree.quariers Of min
ute.
This is the first earthquake Of any ae-
| count since the one at The city Of san Sal
vadot, March l9, 1873, when about 90 lives
were lost. The great earthquake which
| DESTROYED several thousand people al the
city Of Conception in Chill, occurred Feb
ruary %, lSG5, originating near the islands
| OF Juan Fernandez in volcano which
burst forth through 400 feet OF water. Il
| ISL occurred the famous series Of earth
| quakes in Misso uri, which extended over
a track Of country stretching for so mile.
| southwark from the mouth OF the Ohio riv-
/ er, the ground rising and sinking in great
/ undulations for months. The disturbances
| continued over what has since been called
| the sunk country" until March %, 1872
when they ceased coincidently with the
great earthquake OF Caracas in Venezuela.