The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1881-04-21
THE ISLAND OF DEATH.
Graphic Picture OF the Desointiou Of
Chic,

LONDON, April II.
A correspondent Of the Times ut Chic
says: l have now made frorn personal
observation and with the help Of Others a
pretty thorough canvass Of the state Of
Affairs throughout the Island. The total
number dead is scarcely less than 1000,
although some allowance may be due to
the fact that Immediately after the disas-
ter many persons crossed 10 the main
land, and some Of those now reported as
dead may be there. The villages on the
southern aide Of the Island are com.
pletely wrecked, hardly single house
being left standing.
The centre Of the volcanic action seemy
to have been near Nen;ta, overlooking
Megalo Bay on the east coast, where 800
persons perished out of population
of l,2O0. At Vounos 2G perished out OF
a population of 800. At Philitia co out
Of 250; at Klamonti 40 out of 1900,
at Armitia 40 out Of GOO and at
Kenri l30 out Of ago, on the western side
of the island at Mesta many houses
fell, but nobody was killed. At Vcsta
three. fourths Of the buildings were
wrecked, but only one person was killed.
AT Lethi % persons were killed out of
GOO, Mt Aigonima 40 out Of 400. At
Ana oatos IL were killed. This is the
most northerly town on the west side,
which sufie.ed severely. Other towns
were severely shaken, but arc not in
ruins. The department of Chic and the
towns southeast of it suffered most of all
Kallcmissa is simply a mass of ruins, and
it Is difficult to distinguish one house
from another. cannot conceive how
any considerable number of the popula-
nity
OF 1900. Neighboring villages suffered
similarly. Seven of the principal con.
tanned 1910 people and are believed to
have lost 1927 dead. AT least nine
tenths Of the houses in the southern and
southeastern portions Of the island must
be rebuilt or repaired. The population
are now living in tents and there is great
need Of food and shelter. The northern
part requires help, but to q less extent.
Those severely wounded are nearly all
being brought to Chic by men from the
ships. The work Of clearing away the
ruins has begun here, but in the villages
the people are still panic stricken. Lit.
tie can be done as long us the shocks con-
tinue. OF 200 persons, for example, who
perished in Thclopotamoi, only G5 bodies
have yet been recovered, and q similar
proportion in other villages. About
$4,000 people are camping in the south
ern half of the island, with nothing but
what they have on their backs. Pro.
gress has been made towards systematic.
ing q relief organization. The people
are further demoralized by the preaching
of Il foolish Greek priest, who warns them
all to flee rs the island ia about to be
completely swallowed up. The arch
bishop and the governor are seeking to
allay the excitement, but many are still
emigrating to the mainland and to the
adjacent islands.
At Kallcmssa q German doctor, who
was in one of the houses at the time of
the disaster, relates that the first warn
ing. he had was seeing the dishes on the
table jump up and fall on tbs floor. A
few seconds later the walls fell out.
wards. From thisand similar testimony,
/ believe that in this district the first
shock was nearly vertical, followed i'm
mediately by horizontal oscillations.