New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-07-12
REPORT OF A CONSUL AT CUCUTA.


FURTHER DETAILS or THE CATAsTRopHE-cucUTA
RUINED IN FOUR sECONDs-DEPREDATI0Ns OF
TuIEyEs-AMOUNT OF PROPERTY DESTROYED
The following is the official report of the Consul OF
Venezuela at Cucuta to his Government In regard TO
the earthquake:
CONSULATE OP THE UNITED STATES or VENE2CELA}
IN CUCUTA MARACAIDo, May 81, 1870.
To the Minister Of External Relations Of Iene-nefd:
Having returned TO this city with the part OF my family
that was saved from the terrible catastrophe that Oc
Cured on May 49, at San Jose de Cuca, proceed to
inform you Of that awful event, the consequences OF
which would be difficult TO appreciate az this moment
but which has produced a lasting impression on my
mind, and left the most sorrowful recollectons.
On Sunday, the 10th inst. at 500 the first move
ment Of the earth began, without any danger to the
population. On the following day, Monday, the 18th.
at $50 a. H. another shock experienced. without
any lamentable consequences, however. But the fol
lowing day, Tuesday, the 18th, at 11:15 a H. with
clear atmosphere and ardent sum- the earth shook so
RAPIDLY and suddenly that in four seconds the city
was completely destroyed, not q single house,
and scarcely single wall, remaining standing,
while beneath their ruins buried nearly 5000 per
sons Those who by the grace Of Providence had their
lives spared In that awful moment, were nearly asphyx-
ated by the dense cloud Of dust that covered us
to such extent that we could not distinguish
an object at two meters distance until violent
gust o; wind cleared the atmosphere and enabled
us to respire pure air, and thus return to life.
number OF buildings In the city. among them some
apothecaries stores, instantly became gnited, but
strong rain controlled the fire somewhat Then followed
series Of shocks for six successive nights succeeding
each other hour after hour each shock being preceded
by one two three detonatons very similar to that
proceeding from the explosion Of piece Of artillery Of
immense caber SO violent were these shocks that 1t
was necessary lay the ground and firmly grasping
object thus prevent dangerous results The terror
depicted in the countenances Of the survivors, the
mourning and desperation Of husbands wives, and chill
dren, Who with the utmost anxiety, solicited each other
for sympathy and tdngs Of the lost the cries and groans
of the victims expiring beneath the runsthis Is pic
ture which the most vivid imagination could not describe
But the worst Of all was the presence-wlthn three
hours after that awful catastrophe which In It's terror
and pathos would have reached the heart OF hyenaof
bands of thieves who with machete in hand trod under
the bodies and deaf to the cries for aid Of the sf
ferers still under the rns-these men, reproac to the
race ransacked the ruins for the gold that the
honorable labor OF many years had accumulated
The Colombian Guard stationed In that city, II they had
been inspired by phlanthropic sentiments could have
lent by their character important services othe unfou
inhabitants. saving many lives and interests and
eevang the national sentiment but with conduct that
abstain from qualifying, they took up their march in
"a hours by way OF Pomplona Most Of the merchants
of San jose de Cucuta, were Venezuelans
Such Of these did leave their bodies under the
ruins OF their homes and their widows and children in
mourning Tor them, saw buried IN the gh1ui 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 the earthquakes the following Venezuela
towns San Antonio. Capacho, Tariba, San Cristobal
| Lobatera, Michelena, Colon San Juan dc Urefa and
Guaismos OF the towns belonging to Colombia, the fol-
lowing destroyed: San Jose de Cucuta. Rosario,
| Puebuto, San CayetanO. Santiago, Salazor Gaurdo
Arbaeda Chulacota and Cucutella The total value Of
the property lost at San Jose do Cucuta Is follows