Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-11-27
wAlrEs OF THE EARTHQUAKE.
J. 9. Casssl, Formerly Of Abilene, in
Guatemala Troubles.

A letter from J. g. Cassel, former
ly Of Abilene but who is with A. E.
Bishops missionary party in Guate'
mala, tells Of experiences in the rec
ent earthquake. He was at San Mar
cas-, about 80 miles from the eruption
when the disaster occurred aud says,
under date OF Oct. 81: ION Friday
night we retired and slept we'll until
5 O'Clock in the morning when we
were called saying it was raining
sand We arose quickly and found
the ground covered with light white
sand. The sun rose but brought not
ray Of light to us. All DAY Satur.
day was just as dark as the night and
the sand continued to fall all day and
with this the earth was trembling and
quaking continually and the thunders
roaring just as increasingly. We re-
tired on Saturday night, some twen'
ty persons in small wooden shed
and slept fairly we'll although the
earthquakes were still continuous and
severe.
Sunday morning came the sun rose
but again it had not ray Of light for
US. The sand was still falling but it
was much finer, more like dust or
ashes and a dark color, not as thick
and fast. The depth Of the sand on
Sunday morning was fully six inches.
About noon Sunday we saw the first
glimmer of light in the east and it
seemed like the dawn Of day. 1t was
indeed a joyful dawn after AZ hours
Of darkness and there was general
rejoicing. The day did not fully clear,
only in the east was there rift in the
heavy cloud Of darkness which still
hung over us and covered all the west
only in the east is there brightness.
"No blue sky;yet there is now at II
O'Clock very little dust falling, but
the earthquakes and thunderings still
continue not as frequent or as heavy.
The thunderings come from the south.
east where we can see the dense
clouds hanging over the volcano that
is in eruption. 1t is about twelve
leagues from here and very near
Quezaltenango. 1t is the volcano
called Los Siete Orejos.
"This town has the most sad and
desolate appearance. Many Of the
houses that were yet standing ave
fallen from the immense weight Of
sand on the roofs. Some OF them
we're the new wooden houses that had
been put up for safety after the earth.
quake last spring. Those who were
active and thoughtful keep scraping
the sand off the roof and thus saved
their houses. We have just now had
another quake. The finest new wood
house has entirely caved in. We do
not know what we will do for food
will doubtless be scarce and hard to
get. Crops will be ruined and there
is no grass for sheep or cattle"
A. E. Bishop, who was farther
away, writes: "A prominent fnque-
70 told me yesterday that for 1920
miles along the Pacific coast the de-
struction was complete; that the loss
of life will exceed 5000; that at least
4OO,0 quintales (hwdt.) Of the pres
en- coffee crop has been destroyed as
well as the plantations themselves;
that the amount destroyed represents
+ Of oil the coffee in this Republic
which is the main product Of exporta-
ton. The sand and ashes covered
these plantations to depth Of some
two to six feet. Pastures are de-
stroyed and the stock not killed is
perishing with hunger. There is no
little panic in financial circles and
New York exchange is worth $1,000 Of
Guatemala money for 500 U. ). mon.
ey. All OF the necessities OF life have
advanced greatly in price. A sack Of
-four is worth $25, the wages Of an
ordinary working man for month.
Il seems that there is much OF suffer-
ing in store for the always poor but
now much poorer Of this land"