The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-09-17
FATED SAN SALVADOR.
TERRIFIC SEISMIC DISTURB
ANCE SPREADS RUIN.
Property Loss of Millions, but Compare
lively Few Persons killcd-A Number of
the Cities Observation-Disclosures Stricken
Mobs in the Open Country.
Nine Times DESTROYED.

MODS IN the open Country.
Nine Times Destroyed.
San Salvador. tho smallest but most
populous and one of the most prosper
GUS of the five Central American repub-
lies. is again in ruins, and for the ninth
time since its founding in 1928 by Senior
Jorge de Alvarado, the city of San Sal
vador is Icvelcd by an earthquake.
Millions of dollars worth OF property
and many lives were destroyed in the
republic by this visitation, Whole
towns were wiped out, and so far as adj
vices received from the capital indicate,
hardly city in the country, except
those along the coast, escaped the awful
effects of the CONFUSION.
There had been indications for several
days last that a seismic disturbance of
more than usual power might be ex-
pcctod. The volcanoes of San Salvador,
San Miguel and Izalco have been I'M
usually active, and deep subterranean
rumblings and slight earth tremors have
been felt
Such things are not uncommon there,
however, and while there was q fee ing
of uneasness there was no great alarm
fe't
At inst five minutes before O'Clock in
The wave had strong vertical and Osci-
latory movement. Peop'c rushed into the
streets in their night clothing, and while
the shock lasted only twenty seconds,
before it had passed away there was 4
panic-stricken mob making its way to
the open country outside the city.
The scene was terribly sub ime. Men,
women, and children were shricking and
praying in the streets: walls Of house
cracked, tott"rrd, and fell: there was
deep, continuous rumble as OF heavy
thunder; the sky was overcast and the
air was filled with fine, penetrating
dust. While the shock last d the earth
rose and fell in long waves, and strong
men were unable to keep their feet.
The PAM stricken mob flCckcd to the
open ground outside the city: temporary
shelters were thrown up wherever pos
siblc, but nearly all the men and great
many OF the women and children had
| only the sky for cover.
| All through the morning there we're
| slight shocks, but none approaching in
| intensity that viii III had been so de-
| structive
The inhabitants were AFRAID to return
| to their houses, and arr making them
| selves as comfortable as possible in the
| temporary camps until the commotion
| subsidies
Pres dent Ezcta is doirg his best to
stop the panic and care for the homeless
| people until 1t IS considered safe for
them TO 60 back to their homes.
The towns tn: oughout the country
have suffered more severely than the
capital even. Anala .u!,o and Comasa-
qua were destroyed. toJutepcque, Santa
| Trela, san Pedro. and MasahEet were
so badly shaken that they are practically
ruined, while the shock was plainly felt
and damage was done by 1t at Santa
Anna and Susimtepclue, fully sixty
miles from San Salvador
| 1t Is i'm possible at this writing to form
any idea as to the number Of lives which
| were lost. Two people were killed at
| the capital, though there were many
| almost miraculous escapes from death.
1t is feared, however, that there have
been many people killed In the smaller
towns The loss of property will run
we'll into the millions.
This is the ninth time since its found
ing, and third time within less than
forty years, that san Salvador has been
destroyed by earthquake shocks
April 6. 1854, not n single house was
left In tho city fit for habitatio and
over three hundred lives were lost The
| dust and debris from the falling tuld.
ings filled up all Of the wells and drink
Ing places
Again, March 70, 1872, tho city was
shaken to the ground. Over SIS. 600. O00
worth Of property was destroyed then
and upward of fifty lives were lost, and
more than five hundred seriously injured.
Tho entire republic comprises only
about :, 500 .uare IS. 900 less than
Massachusetts,, and it is popped by
about 900 whites, 31c. 900 Indians,
300, oO3 mcst-ocs and 3.01O negroes. II
is very mountainous, and tlickly dotted
by volcanoes. ha ing no less than clever
which have at different times contrib
utcd to the destruction Of her cities,
Izalco, 1000 feet high, is the only one
which is increasingly active. The soil Is
good, in pla os remarkably rich, and the
country ha. built up a very large
trade in MARE, oranges, lemons
pineapple. coffee, cotttn tobacco
plantains, and su-ar. But b!
far the most valuable product il
indigo, though the quantity raised ha:
considerably decreased since independ
ence WAS alta ned in 1879 Numerous
fine cattle are raised but the minera
wealth Of the country is largely unde
ve.oped. Rich silver mines are alto
gether neglected. and tic iron trade
though large deposits Of excellent or,
exist, has fallen into decay. The manu-
features consist of coarse cotton goods
cutlery and iroaware
| San Salvador has been the scene o
many violent revolutions, and has many
| times be at war with surroundn!
strtcs. She has never been whipped
, but has hal several c'ose calls
| IJ~l. -,
sustained since 1856 In all Contra
American revolutions san Salvador ha
been obliged. because o Ecr ccograph
ical position, to take an active part
The government at present is vested il
n president and two houses of congress
the senate corsistin- of twelve members
and the hous o. representatives o
twenty-four members. Every male citi
> | zen over twrnty-o years OF acc Is en-
titled to vo'c except dome este servants
| those without LEGAL occupation. thoS
who contract debts fraudulcntly. ow
| money past due to the state, ente
a | the service of foreign power
or are of notorioasly bad character
will b. seen that the san Satvadorcan
observe a decided Y modern form of z -,
t | ernment- The standing army consist
of 900 men, and the militia of 5000
The Roman Catholic re igion is rccoe
nized by the state, but all denomination
are protected. The re public has a yer
well endowed university at the capita
San Salvador, and its work is highly re
gardcd
Peace has prevailed since 1865, who
President Rarrios was shot by suoceS!
full insurgents.
Z Of General Interest.
hoe