Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-09-17
An EARTHQUAKE SHAKES SALVADOR.
Heavy Loss of Life With Great
Destruction of Property.


Several Small Towns Wiped Out by the
Seismic wave--The People Rushed
From Their Homes In Terror.
Cabiegram to the New York Herald.
SAN SALVADOR, VIA GALVESTON,
TEX, Sept. 9.-Millions of dollGrs'
worth of property and many lives were
destroyed in this Republic by earth
quake to-day.
Whole towns were wiped out, and so
far as advices received here indicate
hardly city in the country, except
those along the coast, escaped the awful
effects Of the CONFUSION.
There have been indications for
several days past that seismic dis
turbance of more than usual power
might be expected. The volcanoes of
San Salvador, San Miguel and Izalco
have been unusually active, and deep
subterranean rumblings and slight
earth tremors have been felt.
Such things are not uncommon here,
however, and while there was feeling
of uneasiness here last night there was
no great alarm felt.
At 1855 o'clock this morning the earth
began to shake. The wave had a
strong vertical and oscillatory move
ment.
People rushed into the streets in their
night clothing, and, while the shock
lasted only 20 seconds, before it had
passed away there was panic stricken
mob making its way to the open country
outside of the city.
The scene was terribly sublime. Men,
women and children were shrieking and
praying in the streets; walls of houses
al
deep, continuous rumbling as if of
heavy thunder; the sky was overcast
and the air was filled with fine, pene-
the earth rose and fell in long waves,
and strong men were unable to keep
their feet.
The panic-stricken people focked to
the open ground outside of the city;
temporary shelters were thrown up
wherever possible, but nearly all the
men and a great many of the women
and children had only the sky for a
cover.
All through the morning there have
been slight shocks, but none approach.
ing in intensity that which had been SC
destructive.
The inhabitants are afraid to return
TO their houses and are making them
eelves as comfortable as possible in theii
temporary camps until the commotior
subsidies.
President Ezeta is doing everything
he can to stop the panic and care for thu
homeless people until it is considered
safe for them to go back to their homes
The towns throughout the country
have suffered more severely than TIN
capital even. Analquito and Comasagui
have been completely destroyed.
Cojutepeque, Santa Tecla, San Pedr,
and Masahuet were SO badly shaker
that they are practically ruined, Will
the shock was plainly felt and damag
was done by it at Santa Ana and Susim
tepeque, fully sixty miles from here.
1t Is impossible at this writing to forr
any idea as to the number of lives whic
have been lost. Two people were kille
here, though there were many almos
miraculous escapes from death. 1t
feared, however, that there have bee
many people killed in the smaller town
The loss of property will run we
into the millions.
This is the third time within less tina
40 years that San Salvador has been d.
stroyed by earthquake shocks.
In April, 1854, not single house WI
left in the city fit for habitation an
over 300 lives were lost The dust an
debris from the falling buildings file
up all of the wells and drinking place
Again in March, 1873, the city WI
shaken to the ground. Over SIS, 100000
worth of property was destroyed the
and upward of so lives were lost.
So It seems that destructive seism
disturbances visit the country at int
n vals of 10 years.