Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-26
A PERIOD OF PERIL.
WHAT VENEZUELAN EARTHQUAKES
SEEMED LIKE TO AN AMERICAN.
People Prayed in Darkness-hes' sosePn
Norwood. the First Eyewitness
to Reach Here.
0sw York world.)

Rev. Joseph Norwood, agent OF the
American Bible Society in Venezuela ana
Columbia. who arrived on the steamship
Philadelphia late Wednesday night, Is the
first eyewitness of the recent ear'h-
quake in Venezuela TO reach this port
Mr.. Norwood was located somewhat on
the edge of the affected area. but be-
fore he left for the North he learned
great deal concerning the damage ana
probable loss OF life due TO the seismic
disturbances. Through the severity OF the
shocks the telegraph wires were torn
down all over Venezuela, and Tor TINS
reason he was unable TO get fun reports
from the devastated settlements.
The towns OF Merida. Lagunillas ana
Eiidos." Mr.. Norwood said, were almost
totally destroyed. Lagunillas Is situated
between two high mountains, and was
surrounded by large sheets Of water. In
the midst Of the shock the town SUNK
out OF sight, and a large take spread oyer
the spot.
THE FIRST SHOCK.
.eWben the first shock came 1 was in
the Hotel America. in Maracaibo. Inc
premonitory rumble felt like the noise OF
a derailed street-car and my impression
was that something had happened 10
the street railroad in front of the hotei.
As the rumble continued. however l
knew almost immed ately that II was an
earthquake. and drew out my watch 10
time its, duration.
The first shock was at 9:45 O'Clock T.
NJ, April 18th. 1t began with an undula-
ton. which ran about twenty-five Sc
combs Then there was an oscillation OF
about the same period, and the supse-
auent disturbance lasted about two MN
utes The heaviest effect lasted ABOUT
half that time. After the earthquake
had passed. there were seven great cracks
In the walls Of my room. Through one
Of them you might have put an arm.
Immediately after the first shock the
eIectrlc-light wires were torn down. and
the town was left In darkness With this
gloom the situation OF the inhabitants
became more frightful. Every one ran
into the streets. and many fell on their
knees and called for help. No one was
killed. although many persons were IN
jured
WHAT IT WOULD DO IN NEW YORK.
after the first shock all the guests
exception of another man and myself
left the place and took up quarters IN the
streets. We concluded to stay indoors.
but as a measure OF safety we moved
our cots TO the head of the stairs. Inc
hotel was Al two-story structure ouilc
of adobe andsbricks. An earthquake such
as was felt In Maracaibo would have lev
elled all the tall buildings in New YORK
to the ground. and would have caused
frghtfu loss OF life
There is probably little truth in the
report from Merida, that 80 soldiers lost
their lives. 1t is undoubtedly true. now
ever. that the shock was the greatest
since that Of 1872, when 20.a0 persons were
killed. Later accounts will probably show
that this one. while possibly not as eX-
tended. will, nevertheless. be very Sc
we're"
MIR. Norwood is on his way to the Cen
eral Conference in Memphis Tenn. At
its conclusion he will return TO Nene-
zuela.
Acting Minister Bartleman has cabled 70
the State Department at Washington that
aid from this country would be appreci-
ated. In Venezuela already a large
amount has been raised and a committee
of Congress has been sent TO Maracaibo
to extend any relief in the governments