The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-09-17
MOTHER EARTH TREMRLES.
Salvador Visited by = Fearful Earthquake
Shock-Towns Ruined. Lives Lost and
Property Worth Millions Laid Waste.

Salvador Visited by = Fearful Earthquake
Shock-Towns Ruined. Lives Lost and
Property Worth Millions Laid Waste.
San SALVADOR. Sept. 1o.-Millions
Of dollars worth of property and many
lives were destroyed in this republic by
earthquake Wednesday. 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
nvulsion. There have been indica-
tions for several days past that
q seismic disturbance of more
than usual power might be expected.
The volcanoes of San Salvatore, San
Miguel and Izalco have been unusually
active, and deep subtcrranean rumb-
lings and slight earth tremors have
been felt Such things are not uncom-
mon here, however. and while there
was q feeling of uneasiness here Tues
day night there was no great alarm
felt.
At Just five minutes before o'clock
Wednesday morning the earth began to
shake. The wave had a strong vertical
and oscillatory 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 a panic-stricken
mob making its way to the open coun-
try outside of the city.
The scene was terribly sublime
Men, women and children were Shrek
ing and praying in the streets; walls
of houses cracked, tottered and fell:
! there was q deep. continuous rumbling
| as of heavy thunder; the sky
| was overcast and the air was
filled with fine penetrating
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 of the city;
temporary shelters were thrown up
wherever possible, but nearly all the
men and great many of the women
and children had only the sky for a
| cover.
All through the morning there were
slight shocks, but none approaching in
intensity that which was SO destructive.
The towns throughout the country
have suffered more severely than the
| capital even Analaquito and Comas-
aqua were destroyed. CoJutepeque,
Santa Trelu. 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 Anna and Susimtepue, fully
60 miles from here.
1t is impossible at this writing to
form any idea as to the number Of lives
which have been lost. Two people
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 The loss of property
will run well into the millions.
This is the third time within les.
than forty years that San Salvador ha.
been destroyed by earthquake shocks
In April, 1854, not single house wa.
left in the city fit for habitation ant
over 800 lives were lost. The dust ane
debris from the falling buildings filled
up all of the wells and drinking places
Again in March. 1878, the city wa.
shaken to the ground. Over $4,000, ,0Ot
worth of property was destroyed ther
and upward of fifty lives were lost