The Ordway new era., 1906-08-24
HORRORS OF The EARTR01ifE
that DEVASTATED ViIpIiipI mi |

Santiago, Chill. Aus. 3l.-Ths state.
mcnt that the approach Of the earth.
quake was announced by the Naval
Observatory at Valparaiso two Gays
previous to its occurrence IL con.
frncd. Tho news was published In
the Chilean press Wednesday. August
18th. the day before the earthquake oc-
Cured.
Only now can the seriousness OF the
catastrophe begin to be appreciated
The greater part Of the modern houses
are unsafe for habitation and the au-
thorities have organized q special
corps to pull down the tottering build.
ings. In most OF the streets It is not
safe to walk on the pavement, owing
to falling debris.
Santiago resembles . camp. Tho
public squares and the principal ave-
nues are crowded with people sleeping
In the open. All kinds OF carriages and
cabs have been requisitioned to sleep
in. or even under them.
Tho night OF August 10th was rem
dered dreadful by flashing lightning
and pouring rain. the electric cables
and wires swapping as result of the
constant. strong earth shocks which
occurred all that night causing the
greatest CONSERVATION. which was
heightened by the pealing OF the fire
bells announcing the breaking out of
fires In various quarters OF the city.
Each shock was followed by walls and
prayers for the people who were
kneeling In the rain and mud.
The first great shock lasted four
minutes and fifty seconds. Such long
shock had never occurred before in
the memory of any inhabitants OF San
tiago. II caused the bells of the
churches to ring, pictures swung out
from the walls and there was great.
heaving motion OF the ground. Experts
say that the only thing which saved
Santiago from complete ruin was that
the motion was circular. The princi-
pal shock was from Valparaiso to San
tiago and Meripilla. with its center at
Limachc.
Valparaiso. Aug. 21.-Tho loss OF life
OF tho earthquake OF Thursday. Aug.
l6. probably will not be short OF 5000.
while the property destroyed is esti-
mated at 500. 1000. 900. and possibly is
far in excess OF that sum.
Order Is being maintained with the
utmos. severity by the military. police
and armed citizens patrols. who are
empowered to shoot lootc-s on the
spot. Over 100 have been shot. The
authorities are showing the utmost en-.
ergy In the protection of property.
With the first terrific shock of the
earthquake buildings collapsed. their
walls falling with n tremendous noise.
The inmates In many cases were un-
able to escape. The shock waa fol-
lowed almost Immediately by fierce
storm. the wind prostrating walls that
had been weakened by the earthquake
and these broke trolley wires. which
flashed necessarily. Tho second shock
was even heavier than the first.
Five minutes aftcrward fires started
1n every direction and Immediately the
whole town. which had boon momen.
tarily In darkness. was illuminated by
gigantic flames. The firemen made n
desperate fight. though there was but
little water. ms most OF the mains had
been broken by the early tremor. The
Victoria theaier topera housc) and the
naval club were utterly destroyed by
the earthquake and the National thea
ter succumbed 10 earthquake and fire.
The Club de Septiembrc. the Church
OF Ia Merced, tho buildings OF the
French fathers. the navy department
buildings, the city hall and many other
buildings were destroyed by tho Garth
quake. The destruction by fire. how
ever. WITS infinitely larger. and prob
ably sixty per cent OF the commercial
houses were totally ruined. In Brazil
avenue alone nearly thirty blocks OF
buildings from three to i've stories
high were destroyed.
Valparaiso. Aug. 21.-The greatest
damage occurred in the provinces OF
Valparaiso and Aconcagua. The town
of Abarca suffered severely. Llai Llai
is reported to have entirely dlsap-
pcared. and Limache and Hero Viejo
have been almost totally wrecked Al
Vina Del Mar three-quarters OF the
houses are in ruins.
The losses in the entire country are
estimated mt $50.000.0O0.
The authorities of Valparaiso have
taken over the feeding of the people.
and provisions are being brought In
from places that were not destroyed.
Slight earthquake shocks are con-
tinuing. The people have not returned
to their homes. but are sleeping CT the
surrounding hills and in the streets
and squares. The fires have all been