Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1881-04-23
A TERRIBLE CALAMITY.
Particulars of the Recent Earthquake IL
the Island Of Scsn-Thousnnds of People
Killed Great DestItutIon Among the
Homeless Survivors


Killed Great DestitutIon Among the
Homeless Survivors
scIo, April Q.
IT isnow believed that throughout the whole
island, which contained 10000 Inhabitants,
6,00J or 1909 were killed and 70 per cent. fthe
Survivors wounded. The French, British,
United States and Austrian gun vessels in the
harbor are doing all in their power to assist
the authorite in the work ot relief.
Only ten of the inhabi ants of Che sme were
killed, but many houses are in ruins and 3O,-
900 people are without shelter.
A correspondent at scio telegrapbs, under
date of the lth, as follows:
81 have Just arrived here from Constantine.
pie, and find pictureof desoiation suohasis
rarely witnessed. The town looks is II it had
been terribly bombarded Hundreds of houses
are transformed into n shapeless mass OF
ruins, under which lie buried an laknown
number of victims. A majority OF the re-
naming houses are already cracked ia roof
less, aud may fall at any moment. Nearly ev-
cry building in the town suffered more or less.
1.-The inhabitants wander about, anxious TO
search for missing relatives or lost property,
bit afraid to risk their lives in the perious
work Of clearing away the rubbish. Many who
are willing to expose themselves to danger are
prevented by friends or by the police.
Fear, grief and despair are depicted on
nearly every face. Nearly all have some
sad or tragic tale to tell. The first shock
was felt Sunday afternoon, about half-past one
O'Clock. Immediately houses began to fall.
Wild shrieks were heard on every SIDE Then
followed an awful silence of some minutes.
The terrified survivors gradually yentured
Into the narrow lanes and reached the opctl
spaces. Shortly afterwards another terrible
shock completed the devastation. All night
shocks succeeded each other ut short inter
walls, and each one was preceded by dull
sounds like subterranean explosions. Since
that frequent shocks have been felt. A few
moments ago. while writing the present dis
patch distinctly heard an explosion, and felt
the earth tremble; but, as am under canvas,
have nothing TO fear.
1.-THE old Genoese Fortress, containing about
400 houses, inhabited by Mussulmans aud
Jews suffered more than the rest of the town.
The ground there sunk about half me- er, and
nearly all the houses were imme lately de-
stroyed, and several hundred persons must
have perished. II is known that about thirty
Mussulman women were assembled in one
house, not one of whom escaped. The south
ern part of the island is said to have suffered
more than this town.
Twisted Chesme this afternoon. Only about
ten inhabitants were killed. but many houses
were in ruins and many more diapidated.
The Mayor assured me that threefourths OF
the houses are in a dangerous condition. The
inhabitants are afraid to live in those which
are uninjured, for every night since Sunday
frequent shocks have been felt. Nearly all
prefer TO camp out As the weather is fine
the hardship in this respect is not great. 1t is
said that throughout thedistrict not less than
10000 people are without shelter. In Kastro
the work of extrcatng bodies and attending
the wounded is progressing satisfactorily, but
the sitting odor in the vicinity of many OF the
ruins proves that the former operation is far
from complete. On the other hand, some
wonderful escapes have occurred. One WON
an was buried underruins fifty-two hours, and
at last was rescued, having given birth in the
meantime to child. The child is dead, but
! the mother is doing we'll"