The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1891-09-17
Pursued hx an Evil Fate.

Pursued by an Evil Fate.
San Salvador, the 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 leveled 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 city in the country, except
those along the coast, escaped the awful
effects of the CONFUSION.
There had been Indications for several
days past that a seismic disturbance of
more than usual power might be ex-
pected. The volcanoes of San Salvador,
San Miguel and I2alco 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 fee ing
of uneasineSs there was no great alarm
felt
At just five minutes before O'clock in
the morning the earth began to shake.
The wave had strong vertical and oscl-
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 O.
panic-stricken mob making its way to
the open country outside the city.
The scene was terribly sub inc. Men,
women, and children were shrieking and
praying in the streets; walls Of houses,
I'D fnft foil %J,0ro
deep, continuous rumble as of heavy
thunder; tho 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 f1ocked to the
open ground outside the city; temporary
shelters were thrown up wherever pos
sible, but nearly al the men and great
many of the women and children had
only the sky for cover.
All through the morning there were
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 go back to their homes.
The towns throughout the country
have suffered more severely than the
capital even. Anala9uito and Comasa-
qua were destroyed. Cojutepeque, Santa
Trela, San Pedro, and Masahuet were
ho1 lx1c oh hot hoy afi
ruined, while the shock was plainly felt
and damage was done by it at Santa
Anna and Susimtepeque, fully sixty
miles from San Salvador
It is impossible 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.
It 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 bes&4
destroyed by earthquake shocks.
April g. 1854, not single house was
left in the city fit for habitation, and
over three hundred lives were lost. The
dust and debris from the falling build
ings filed up all of the wells and drink
ing places.
Again, March 10, 1872, the city was
shaken to the ground. Over $4,000, 900
worth of property was destroyed then
and upward of fifty lives were lost, and
more than five hundred seriously jured.
The entire republic comprises only
about 7, 500 square miles, 800 less than
ic NV
about 1000 whites, $4,000 Indians,
300, 600 mestiZoes, and 5000 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
Izalco, 1000 feet high, is the only one
which is unce asingly active. The soil Is
good, in places remarkably rich, and the
country has built up very large
trade in maize, oranges, lemons,
pineapple, coffee, cotton, tobacco,
plantains, and surar. But by
far the most valuable product is
indigo, though the quantity raised has
considerably decreased since independ
ence was alta ned in 1889. Numerous
fine cattle are. raised, but the mineral
wealth of the country is largely unde-
veloped. Rich silver mines are alto
goGlor 00SleCG0u, dHu 6u0 IIOn 0Idu0S
though large deposits Of excellent ore
exist has fallen into decay. The manu-
features consist of coarse cotton goods,
cutlery and ironware.
San Salvador has been the scene Of
many violent revolutions, and 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 Central
American revolutions San Salvador has
been obliged, because OF her geograph-.
ical position, to take an actire part.
The government at present is vested In
q president and two houses of congress,
the senate consisting Of twelve members,
and the hous3 OF representatives or
twenty-four members. Every male citf-
zen over twcnty-one years OF a e is en-
titled to vote, except domestic servants
those witt out legal occupation, those
who contract debts fraudulently, owe
money past due to the state, enter
the service of a foreign power,