The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-01-18
AN AWFUL EARTHQUAKE
A Great Loss of Life Caused in ChiIpancingo,
 Mexico.
300 LIVES PROBABLY LOST
AS MANY MORE ESTIMATED TO BE INJ>URED.

State Capitol, Parish Church and Many
 Business Houses and Residences in
 Ruins-The War Depart mont Orders
 Troops to the Scene of the Catastrophe
 to Co-oporate i'm the Work of Rescue.
 Mexico City, Mex, Jan. 17-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 Chilpanc- ing, causing a great loss of life and in- turing many persons. Details from the stricken district are very meagre, but scattering reports received here indi- cate that probably 300 persons were killed and as many more injured. It is known that the state capitol, the par ish church and many business houses and residences are in ruins and there is much suffering as a result of the aw full seismic disturbances. One of the edifices that suffered most was the Federal telegraph office, which explains the paucity of news that has reached this city so far.
 Later meagre details began to arrice here. The telegraph line and appara- tus at Chilpancinge were badly dam aged but the employees. all of whom were uninjured, quickly proceeded to erect an inprovised telegraph office on the outskirts of the city.
 The number of deaths were greater in the parish church than in any single rlace as crowd of worshippers were gathered there for the afternoon ser vice. The solid masonry walled roof came topping down on the worshippers 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 cooper ate In the work of rescue. Until this work is completed it will be impossible to learn accurately the number of vic tins. It is believed, however, that this is one of the most destructive se- ismic phenomena that has occurred in Mexico The greater part of the peo- ple. of Chlpencnge are now camping out under trees and around the town which is five days journey from the na- tional capital.
 Earthquake shocks were felt Tn many other cities and towns.
 In Mexico City the earthquake took place at 5:15 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 nent was one of trepidation and was very sharp. It was followed by an easier oscillatory movement north northwest. The duration was fifty five seconds. The damage in the city was only slight.
 The state of Guerrero has always been the focus of seismic disturbances.
 Renorts received here tonight state that the shock was very severe at Chi lana No fatalities are so far reported from there.
 In duration the Chilpancinso shock was less prolonged than that in Mexico City having lasted 50 secods agalnst DO seconds at the capital.
 Up to il o'clock tonight no further news had come through from Chilpan- cingo The earthquake was also heavy at Iguala in the state of Guerrero, de- stroying the parish house and many buildings in the city and neighborhood Among the latter was the sugar mill of General Frisbie, an American. The mill had just been completed and fit- ted up with American machinery at cost of S2000OO. The property loss is immense throughout the state of Guer- rerO