The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-02-23
Death and Disaster.

ther shocks are expected every mo-
ment. and the horrors of the hour
are increased by the probability of
an eruption of the VOLCANOES of Razu
ana Boas. towering down fire and
molten lava in the valley, in which
a population of $4,000 is centered.
As nearly as can be ascertained
about 200 lives haye been lost thus
far. and the injured number nearly
1000. The homeless multitude of
terror.stricken survivors wander
about in state of demoralized con-
sternation, easier imagined than de-
scribed. At every point one is met
by scenes ofconvulsion. ruin. destruc-
ton, desolation and death. To find
ones self living seems marvellous.
Every land mark, every feature of
the topography is obliterated. Dead
earth rises into hill where a few
hours ago the eye looked away over
plain.
In all Central America there is no
more picturesque and delightful city
than this city of Costa Rica. upon
which has come this sudden and ter
rible devastation.
Occupying a plateau about 1000
feet above the level of the sea. the
town is the home of population of
nearly 10000 souls, center of adj
vanced progress and culture. WISH
tors from all parts of the continent
during the recent session of the Cen
trail American Diet here agreed in
pronouncing San Jose 1.-THE Paris of
Central America"
The city's destruction is as com
plete as that of Pompeii.
At 8 o'clock on the evening of De-
cember 90 the inhabitants were in
the midst of the celebration of the
civic and religious feasts. A concert
by the excellent military band was
in progress in the beautiful little
Pafque central.
Suddenly. as a clap OF thunder out
of clear sky, a tremendous shock of
earthquake put the city into a state
of widest alarm. During the early
days of the month there had been q
few quick, barely perceptible mo-
tons, apparently more atmospheric
than seismical. These had been pass
ed unregardeu save by the Older res
idents who recalled the beginnings
of the last great earthquake in Sep.
TENDER, 1S4l, Now, seized by COM
mon impulse, people rushed to their
homes to provide, as far as possible.
for the safety of the children and the
aged.
The dread words "Viene I'm tenn
blore terrible !" ga terrible earth
quake IS coming !") was heard on all
lips.
The first shock was repeated, with
even greater force, at II P. NJ. For
the first time fear that the low,
solid adobe structures, additionally
regarded as capable of withstanding
any possible shock. and veritable
hayens of refuge. were unsafe. spread
among the inhabitants. PeODle rush.
ed out of the houses and assembled
in fear and trembling in the Plaza
del MERGED, the Plaza del Carmen
opposite the churches of the same
name-or in the plaza del Mercado,
between the market and the hospital,
Three hours of anxious expectancy
passed without recurrence of the
vibration. At last came hopeful
telling of relief. "Es acabo !" C'It is
all over! ' said the black -robed
priests. The people returned to their
dwellings and sought repose after
the WEAKNESS and excitement of the
night.
At 4:30 O, clock A. NJ, on the 30th.
third shock, more awful than the
preceding ones. awoke the sleepers,
rudely dispelling their newborn
confidence. The city was violently
shaken from end to end, and words
fail to picture the terror that ensued.
Down went the houses in a deafening
din. wall crashing upon wall, with
the roofs of heavy tile sagging and
sinking between the lnextricable
confusion. Women's fierce fear
stricken shrleks, the screaming of
strong men, and the piteous wall of
little children, mingled with the
dust. darkness and din, was a scene
of decentralization frightful to wit
ness.
The soldiers and police displayed
praiseworthy activity in helping the
wounded and helpless. Many thor
oughly frightened and superstitious
people took the roads leading out of
the city to the westward. away from
the dread volcano, and fled until
daylight. reaching Alajulla, thirty
miles away. only to find that town
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