Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-10

Special Gable Dispatch to the New York Herald
SAN SALVADOR, via GALVESTON, Tx. Sept 0.
Millions OF dollars worth of property and many
lives we're destroyed in this republic BY an
earthquake today. Whole towns were ~iped
out aud, so far advicos received here indi-
cate, hardly city in the country except those
along the coast escaped the awful effect. Of the
CONFUSION. There have been indications for
several days past that q seismic disturbance Of
more than usual power might be expected.
The volcanoes OF San Salvador, San Miguel aud
lzalco have been unusually active. and deep
subterranean rumblings and slight earth
tremors have been felt.
Such things are not uncommon here. how
ever, and while there was a feeling of uneasi-
ness last night, there was no great alarm felt
At just live minutes before 2 o clock this morn
ing the earth began to shake. The wave had
strong vertical and oscillatory movement
People rushed into the streets in their night
clothing, and while the shock lasted only two
seconds, before II had passed away there was n
panic-stricken mob making It's way e. the opeu
country outside OF the city.
The scene was terribly sublime. Men women
and children were shrleking and praying in the
streets; walls of houses CRACKED, tottered and
zen; there was deep, continuous rumbling. -
II Of heavy thunder, the sky was overcast and
the AIR was ni.ed with fine penetrating dust.
While the shock lasted the earth rose ana fell
IN long waves aud strong men were unable TO
keep their feet. The panic-stricken people
locked TO the open ground outside OF the city,
where temporary shelters were thrown IN
wherever possible, but nearly all the men and
great many OF the women and children had
only the sky Tor a cover. All through the
morning there have been slight shocks. but
none approaching in intensity that which had
oeeh 30 destructive The inhabitants are
N raj Ia ref IA la.fr
ing themselves comfortable az possible in
Their temporary camps until the commotion
Subsidies. President Ezeta IL doing everything
he can to stop the panic and care for the home
less people until 1t Is considered safe for them
TO 60 back 10 their homes.
lhe towns throughout the country have suf-
Tered more severely than the capital even.
Analquito and Comasagua have been completely
destroyed Colutepeque Santa Tecla. san Pc
dro ana Masahuet we're 30 badly shaken that
they are practically ruined, while the shock
was plainly felt and damage was done by il at
Santa Ana and Susimtepeque, fully sixty miles
from here.
Ii is impossible at this writing to form suy
idea as TO the number Of lives which have been
lost. Two were killed here, though there were
many almost miraculous escapes from death.
1t is feared, however, that there have been
many people killed in the smaller towns Tho
loss OF property will run well into the millions
This Is the third time within less than forty
years that san Salvador has been destroyed by
earthquake shocks. In April, 1854, not u single
house was left IN the city MT for habitation aud
over three hundred lives were Loot. The dust
and debris from the falling buildings Allied up
all the wells and drinking places.
Again in March, 1873, the city was shaken 10
the ground. Over $4,000, 900 worth Of property
Was destroyed thea and upward OF fifty lives
lost. SO it seems that destructive seismic dis
turbances visit this country at iutervsls Of nlas
years.