Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-09-11
The Earthquakes in Cashmere.

The correspondent of the Times of In
did, writing under date of Srinagar, July
Is, says: ga terribly severe and prolonged
e rtbquake shock occurred here at
O'Clock this morning. 1t was followed by
four others, three Insignificant, but the
last at 7 a. m. very severe. The first is
considered here as having been nearly
equal to that of May 80. but the damage
has been small, for what remained stand
ing, after all the shocks we
have had, would probably not fall except
under a shock of greater severity
than the first. The gun had fired, and
was lying in the boat wide awake, when
that warning sound broke on the ear. and
then came the dreadful tremor-'dreadtup
because no one can tell whether 1t will
be light or of unheard of violence. |
counted % seconds deliberately, the boat
shaking, not rolling, but like a person in
bad ague fit. But the first great shock
was Immediately followed by several
smaller ones, which only increased the
alarm, and the alarm was very great.
''From the city Wild cutlery came. and
lasted for many minutes. | thought 1t
was lamentatIon for loss OF life. but | am
informed by men from the town that Il
was only alarm and warning wells to
those who had rasbly slept in their own
houses. The translation of the general
cries was, Come out, you sleepers; come
out quickly. God is great But the fact
now is that a feeling of Insecurity and
alarm exists all over the valley. The
people appear perfectly apathetic, but
that is caused by helplessness. If
the rains begin, fever must break
out, as all are living under mating or
rough sheds made of old boards and old
cloths of any sort, or even houghs OF trees.
And if we pass over August and into the
cold winter nights without definite ces-
sation of these shocks, or what NAV be
esteemed so. then 'all the ills that flesh Is
heir to- will surely follow. ] had occasion
to visit Baramula again on some private
business, but / took advantake OF the op-
portunity to visit the districts / had not
previously seen. The accounts which
have appeared are not exaggerated, ex-
cept in very minor details. Sopoor is
simply one wreck. The bridge is
impossible, even for small boats, and
traffic is stopped. j went over the
whole town on both sides Of the river.
The fort, or what was the fort, is a sight
to see. Nothing has stood except the
wooden houses. or log huts, as they might
be called, and it is to be hoped that that
will be the style of building In future.
Baramula is almost as bad.
II went to the famous ziarat Of Svud
Jan Baz. The mujild attached TO It Is
down to the ground the tomb, which is
noted for its exquisite wood and lattice
work, is not so much injured. This hap
pens to be owing 10 very curious Incl
dent. One corner of woodwork was
thrown out OF place to the extent or about
a foot bv the first shock on May 30. II
was thought that it would be necessary
10 take down the whole side, but
on June 8 the heavy shock on
that date threw the corner back into its
place. 1t is now only an inch or so out
Of place. The landslips here have been
frightful. Even photographs, on account
OF difficulties in light and shade. and a
peculiar white color OF the rock and clay,
do not give sufficiently striking repre-
sentation Of the scenes, and the stories of
the poor Go0jurs are most pathetic |
was fortunate enough to get hold Of the
tunberddr OF the many small hamlets now
ruined. He was a fine-looking man, Iiv-
Ing with his wife and family in poor
howell OF boards. Wherever a small col
lection of huts had existed the stencil was
oveTpOweringly sickening. The men had
for the most part been dug out and
buried, but the cattle sheltered beneath
the lower stories had been left AS they lay.
As for burial Of the men, when neighbOrs
came 10 help, the cOrpses were often so
decompOsed that they were simply thrown
little rubbish thrown over them, aud per-
haps stone stuck into the heap to show
where n 'GOoju' was laid. Returning,
we passed through the village OF Fa-
tigarh, where there is a very ancient
HindOO temple. II was a ruin before. but
the walls were all right. But now 1t Ia
ruin indeed. The great stones have
fallen; the remaining ones are leaning
over, and all that remains now for the
archaoloQist or the government survey
man 10 do is 10 photograph and measure,
and make a proper record Of the remains.
The stones are immense; the carving is
plain, but thoroughly scientific; and in
their plain design admirable. To see
these things costs many a weary hour.
The heat was 80 deg. in the shade by a
well-behaved thermometer, and 122 deg.
In the sun, and as our walking was IN the
sun you must fancy we were glad Of a
rest here and there under welcome
shady tree or nea' cool hill spring.