The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-01-22
GREAT earthquake IN MEXICO.
THREE HUNDRED PEOPLE KILL
Ed AND MANY INJURED.
The State Capitol and Many
Prominent Business Houses
and Residences in Ruins.

Mexico City, Jan. H.-One of the
most terrible catastrophes ever re-
corded in the State of Guerrero is re-
ported to have occurred late yesterday
afternoon, when an extremely violent
earthquake shock was felt at Chill
pancingo, causing great loss Of life
and injuring many persons. Details
from the stricken districts are very
meagre, but scattering reports receiv-
ed here indicate that probably 300 per-
sons were killed and as many more
injured. It is known that the State
capitol, the parish church and many
business houses and residences are in
ruins and there is much suffering as
result of the awful seismic disturb
ance. One of the edifces that suffered
was the federal telegraph Office which
explains the paucity of news that has
so far reached this city. Later meagre
details began to arrive here. The tel
egraph lines and apparatus at Chilpan-
cingo we're badly damaged but the en-
ployes all of whom were uninjured
proceeded to erect an improvised tele-
graph Office on the outskirts of the
city.
I t The number of deaths were greater
in the parish church than in any
single place as crowd of worshippers
were gathered there for the afternoon
service. The solid masonry walled
roof came toppling down on the wor-
shippers as if it had been -wrenched
from it's bearings by thousand strong
hands. Several people were killed
there.
The war department has ordered the
troops in the neighborhood to coope-
rate in the work of rescue. Until
this work is completed it will Ibe i'm
possible to accurately learn the num-
Der of victims. It is believed. that
this is one of the most destructive
seismic phenomena that has occurred
in Mexico. The greater part of the
population of Chilpancingo are now
camping out under tents around the
town, which is five days journey from
the national capital.
Earthquake shocks we're felt in
many cities and towns.
In Mexico City the earthquake took
place at ST yesterday afternoon and
was of such violence as to shake the
most substantial buildings. The Pan
American congress was in session at
the time and many of the delegates
were greatly alarmed. The first move
ment was one of trepidation and was
very sharp. It was followed by an
easier oscillatory movement northeast
to south-southwest. The duration was
55 seconds. The damage sn this city
was only slight.
The State of Guerrero has always
been the focus OF seismic disturbances.
Reports received here tonight state
that the shock was very severe at
Chilapa. No casualties are so far re-
ported from there.
In duration the Chilpancingo shock
was less important than that IN Mexi
co City. having lasted 50 seconds
against 55 seconds at the capital.
Up to II o'clock tonight DO further
news had come through from Chilpan-
cingo. The earthquake was also
heavy at Iguala, in the state of Gner-
rero, destroying the parish church and
many buildings in the city and neigh
borhood. Among the latter was the
sugar mill of Gen. Frisbie, an Ameri
can. The mill had just been complet-
ed and fitted up with American ma
chinery at a cost of $500. 600. The
property loss is immense throughout
the State of Guerrero.