Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1891-09-18
RUlNOUs EARTHQUAKE.
SAN SALVADOR DEVASTATED
THE NINTH TIME.
,rhc Volcanoes Gave Warning by Their
Unusual Activity-Only the Coast Cities
Escape-Loss of Property Tremendous
Life Loss Comparatively Small.
Pursued by an Evil Fate.

pOpulOuS anu Oue Vi GHo AOSt " ospoI-
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
yador is lcvelcd 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 ad-
vices received from the capital Indicate,
hardly a city in the country, except
those along the coast, escaped the awful
effects of the convulsion.
There had been indications for several
days past that seismic disturbance OF
more than usual power might be ex-
pected. The volcanoes of San Salvador,
San Miguel and IZalco have been UNI
usually active, and deep subterranean
rumblings and slight earth tremors have
been felt.
Such things are not uncommon there,
however, and while there was feeling
of uneasiness there was no great alarm
felt.
At just five minutes before 9 o'clock in
the morning the earth began to shake.
The wave had q strong vertical and oscil-
latory movement. People rushed into the
streets in their night clothing, and while
the shock lasted only twenty seconds,
before it had passed away there was
panic-stricken mob making its way to
the open country outside the city.
The scene was terribly sublime. Men,
women, and children were shrieking and
praying in the streets: walls Of houses,
cracked, tottered, and fell; there was
deep, continuous rumble as OF heavy
thunder: the sky was overcast and the
oiv
dust. While the shock lasted the earth
rose and fell in long waves, and strong
men were unable to keep their feet.
The panic-stricken mob focked to the
open ground outside the city: temporary
shelters were thrown up wherever pos
sible, but nearly ali the men and great
many OF the women and children had
only the sky for a cover
All through the morning there we're
slight shocks, but none approaching in
intensity that which had been so de-
structive
The inhabitants were afraid to return
to their houses, and are making them
selves as comfortable as possible in the
temporary camps until the commotion
subsidies.
President Ezeta is doing his best to
stop the panic and care for the homeless
people until it is considered safe for
them to 60 back to their homes.
The towns throughout the country
have suffered more severely than the
capital even. Analaquito and Comasa.
qua were destroyed. Cojutepeque, Santa
Trela, San Pedro, and Masahuet were
so badly shaken that they are practically
ruined, while the shock was plainly felt
and damage was done by it at Santa
Cptn f,,1l .;v
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 single house was
left in the city lit for habita ton, and
over three hundred lives We're lost The
dust and debris from the falling build
ings filled up all of the wells and drink
ing places.
Again, March 10, 1872, the city was
shaken TO the ground Over IS, 900, 900
worth of property was destroyed then
and upward of fifty lives were lost, and
more than five hundred seriously injured
The entire republic comprises only
about $500 square miles. 300 less than
Massachusetts, and it is peopled by
about l1,0O0 whites, $4,000 Indians,
100000 mestizocs. and 1900 negroes 1t
is very mountainous, and thickly dotted
by volcanoes, having no less than eleven
which have at different times contrib
uted to the destruction OF her cities.
lZalco, 1000 feet high, is the only one
which is increasingly active. The soil is
| good, in places remarkably rich. and the
| country has built up Il very large
trade in maize, oranges, lemons,
pineapple, coffee. cotton. tobacco,
plantains, and SUGAR But by
far the most valuable product is
indigo though the quantity raised has
considerably decreased since independ-
ence was attained in 1899 Numerous
fine cattle are raised, but the mineral
wealth of the country is largely unde-
veloped. Rich silver mines are alto.
Rether neglected, and the iron trade
though large deposits of excellent ore
exist, has fallen into decay The M nu-
| AoSo"ASo SOuSloG Va SOdISG COUUOl VOOOS
cutlery and ironware.
San Salvador has been the scene of
many violent revolutions, aud has many
times been at war with surrounding
states. She has never been whipped
but has had several close calls.
The title of republic has BEEN
sustained since 1856. In all Cent al
American revolutions San Salvador has
been obliged, because of her geograph-
lcal position, to take an active part.
The government at present is vested in
q president and two houses of congress.
the senate consisting of twelve members,
and the house of representatives of
twenty-four members. Every male citi-
zen over twenty-one years OF :e is en-
titled to vote except domestic servants,
those without legal occupation, those
who contract debts fraudulently, owe
money past due to the state, enter
the service of foreign power.
or are OF VIGOROUSLY bad character. II
will be seen that the San Salvadoreans
observe a decided y modern form of gov
eminent. The standing army consists