Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-02-03
MisrelIar,eu,as.
EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS.
A NIcHr OF TERROR IN THE CrrY OF
HAVANA.

HAVANA.
HAVANA. Jan. %. Last night, for the
first time in the recollection Of living reai-
dents. Havana was reused by earthquake
shocks that made her massive buildings
shudder like shanties in storm. hlAckod
ten minutes Of IL when the theatres were
closing and the Gates full, when park and
pradc were brilliant with lights, equipegcs.
beauty and music. The half moon shone
Irom the zenith Of steel blue, cloudlces
sky. Suddenly sound was heard a. Of
the rising Of y mighty wind through the
pines, and then an unmistakably subterra-
mean moan, while the earth rceled with
three unsteady, sickcningosciliations.
Stricken with momentary alarm tie
swarms Of people in the parks paused and
reeled likewise. The horses hitched to .
hundred flying carriages stopped and
braced themselves in dumb alright. Res
taurant tables rocked and spilled their
liquids. and men started mp IRON their
chairs at the Louvre with dread. Drug.
gi>ts' bottles were shaken from their
shelves. Dainty pyramids Of bar glass
tumbled to destruction. Scnoras and
senoritas gazed aghast At the overturn If
their toilet stands. Besides the crowds at
the rrfreshment places. whole families
rushed from their homes into the streets.
and the stairways Of some hotels were
crowded with guests hurrying blindly
down to the sidewalks. A place on the
ground or pavement seemed preferable tn
most citizens. who huddled in groups be-,
yond the moonlight shadows Of the build
ings they had deserted and chattcrcd OF
for the night.
Down in the bay vessels rocked at their
anchorages and groaned against the
wha'ves, and rusty canon threatened to
fall from their pivots on the ancient forti-
fications Of Cabona and the Moro. Hours
passed ere the apprehension caused by
these first shocks was calmcd in general
About four In the morning the
Herald correspondent was awakened by .
premonitory commotion in the atmosphere
so direful that before the head could leave
the pillow ladies were already rushing
through the upper corridors Of the hotel.
A myriad, gigantic shuttle seemed to to
weaving ruin in the outer air. Mems
voices, tremulous and unnatural, rose
from the street beneath. Then came the
words Of men within. cheering their wives
and those ladies' whom even IN these first
five or ten seconds they encountered in
the halls. Then came the second earth.
quake.
Having first sprang up, fell back upon
the pillow to enjoy or endure the motion.
1t continued but few moments. One
shuttle-like horizontal push and pull from
side to side; one lift and poise in the air,
then settling down to solid immobility
nd all That 20 IN III
over except the wild increase of terror
among the people of Havana. Guessing
Fl ON distant noises that the city was thor.
oughly awake dressed and descended In
to the thoroughfare. Nearly every room
in the hotel showed light. Ladies' hav-
ing fled t" the parlors in their night Dress
es were sitting with their feet drawn up
under them in the chairs. looking like
wraiths. The lower hall was thrOnged
with men, some of them anxiously inquir-
ing the date of sailing Of the next steamer
northward. The squares now had plenty
OF permanent tenants for night. The mar
row streets leading down through the old
city to the bay. though dangerous always
at the dismal hour, invited . curious trav-
eler to inspect the behavior of the ignc-
rant. depraved and supcrstitious popuface.
Here were the dens and he'll. holes OF
Havana. Here its crippled. MANNED, dis
eased and poor lined the foot-wide side
walks. Here the most villainous rabble
We'd with fanatics in the constant toll of
crossing themselves, telling beads and
rolling their eyes heavenward. Mutter-
ings Of vulgar awe and fear intermingled
with CALCULATIONS to saints. Here and
there young priest passed with vessel,
sprinkling holy water on eager heads that
bent to the very dust In abAsement. Wild
bursts Of melody boding chants and shouts
Of appeal and praise came from the quar-
ter where the negroes brought forth their
wretched idols, images and charms. The
Cathedral and other churches were ap-
preached at early dawn by thousands who
wished to participate in the first mass.
Thither fiocked women and men, bearing
in place of the various images and devices
in copper and German silver which
are wont to hang on the altar n propit;a-
tory offerings to the saints. hundreds Of
improvised globes Of wood or marble,
signifying prayers that the earth might be
kept whole from further quakes and srup-
tons.
The venerable Church Of the San Do
InluKOs WuICu StshADuS liz VIC IOWcE V8Ib VI
the city, received an unusual Influx Of
worshippers. Hard BY the palace of the
captain general, placed only yesterday
morning at the disposal Of the distin-
guished party OF Americans, Of whom
General Sheridan is one, were seen flick
ering lights in the upper windows. Be-
yond the palace street leads down to q
neighboring wharf, where a. the clock
struck six. hundreds OF boatmen dropped
on their knees at signal, with their fices
turned toward the bay. ''Save, o Ged,
the world, - was the burden Of prayer ol
= priest who had come down TO bless
them; '.Let not thy children be swallowed
in fire or be crushed beneath tie ruins %
their habitations.'' To which prayer .all
Havana, rising up after the nights double
threat Of disaster, could almost Be heard
to soy, 'sAmcn!''
Hrs. RartAneeea says
Don't take any ofthe queck rosbpme. q ~,