The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-21
SAN FRANCISCO SHAKEN.
THE sETEREST SHOCK OF EARTH
QUAKE IN FIVE TEARS.

A Threatened Panic IN Church Averted ~ the
the ~Cuy-Saexican Shocks Have Entirely
Destroyed the Town OF TehuAntepec
BAN Francisco, June 20.-The heaviest shock
Of earthquake felt here in fvo years occurred at
1914 p. NJ. to-day. The main movement was
vertical, with a peculiar wrenching motion, that
lasted for thirty seconds. 1t was followed by
shorter and slighter shocks.
In Calvary Church tho large congregation was
greatly alarmed, and many roso In their seats,
but tho clergyman urged them not TO rush out,
and thus n panic was averted. The only damage
reported in the city was the falling OF the wall
OF tho old Harbor Police station. Tho skyscrap-
ers stood the shock well.
Tho shock was moro severe in Oakland than
In San Francisco. In one church the clergyman
was dilating upon the end of the world and the
terrible destruction described in Revelations,
when tho walls began to sway and some plaster
ing fell from the ceiling. Several women tainted.
and most of those present rushed outdoors, rs
they believed the walls would fall.
A report from Salinas says that many CHM
neys and several old adobe buildings in that
town were knocked down by the shock.
AT Gilroy, in the lower Santa Clara valley, the
shock WINS very heavy. Many chlmneys wero
thrown down, plate-glass windows in the stores
were broken, and great damage was dons to
bottles on shelves in groceries and drug stores.
In many private houses the blinds were
wrcnchod from their fastenings and windows
were shattered.
T~EHUANTErEc. MEXICO. DESTROYED.
0AxAcA. Mexico, june 20.-The continued
earthquake shocks and heavy rains have seri-
ously interrupted telegraph communication
with the Isthmus Of Tehuantepcc during the
past three days.
Advtces were received here to-day that tho
official commission sent to the city of Tehuante-
pee by President Diaz 10 investigate the reported
formation of q volcano and the extent Of the
damages have arrived at their destination and
found the condition of affairs much worse than
they had expected.
The town of Tehuantepec contained about
1000 inhabitants. and is completely destroyed
rs far as houses and buildings are concerned.
not one remaining standing. There were n
number OF substantial and costly buildings In
the town. The people are living in tents and in
tho open air on the outskirts Of the place.
The earthquake shocks continue to DO felt at
frequent intervals and tho people are terrified.
The heavy smoke and other indications Of an
active volcano to the west Of T~ehuantepec are
no longer visible.
The town Of Tehuuntepec il situated on the
tsthmus OF the same name, about fifteen miles
from the mouth Of the Tehuantepec River. which
flows into the Pacific Ocean. 1t 10 in the Mexi.
can state of oaxaca, and Ito miles east and
south Of the city Of oaxaca.
This State, with the exception Of q mar
row coast belt, Is mountainous throughout, tho
principal range being the Sierra Mndre del Sur.
which crosses II from east to west, with peaks
nearly 10000 feet In height. In this range are a
number of volcanoes. some of which have been
In eruption quite recently.
isthnlus the town Of Tehunntepec, which the
spanish called GuudalCazar. was Of consideTa-
BILE Importance and Large population. The plain
OF cultivation, and dotted with rich and popu-
lous villages. For more than a century 1t was
known ms one OF the most fertile and productive
regions of Mexico.
The Doninicans. who came to hold sway over
it, regarded IL as an earthly paradise. A consid-
cradle commerce was developed. and It's port,
where Cortez built his fleets. was one of the
principal depots OF new Spain 1t had rich mer-
chants who trafhcked with Peru and the Phil
ippines.
the prosperity OF Tehuantepec decreased, along
with its population. At the present time tho
population Is one OF the most mixed in Mexico.
tee Indians, with a few spanish, English.
French. and Americans. To-day II has not even
the shadow of its former Importance.
In 1873 the population was about $4,000, and
is has now sunk to 1000 or 5000. 1t has salt
works and cotton factories and n considerable
pearl fishery, in which many OF the inhabitants
purple dye is procured from u shell fish abundant
there, and some cochineal is exported.
The surrounding region Is given up principally
TO agriculture. and the chief products are fruit,
and harness are also manufactured in the town.
and for the excellence OF these the village has
always been celebrated in the neigh6oring
States.
The harbor In shallow. with a dangerous bar ct
the mouth of the river, and il little frequented.
Most OF the houses arc Of stone.