The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-08-24
1000 DEAD;LOSS
$25O,OOO,OOO
EARTHQUAKE IN CHILL DOES lR-
REPARA5LE DAMAGE.
HEAVIEST LOSS AT VALPARAISO.

NEW YORK, Aug. 19.-There con-
tinues confusion OF statements as to
the magnitude of the diaster to Val
paraiso, caused by the earthquake
shocks which began on Thursday,
Aug. Is, and continued at frequent in
tervals throughout that and the next
two days.
Dispatches from Valparaiso to the
Associated Press received this even
ing state that a moderate estimate
of the fatalities is 1900 and that the
property loss may be as high as $780,
100000, which latter is as great as
the loss sustained by San ~Franclso In
consequence of the earthquake which
devastated that city last April.
A refugee who has arrived at San
tiago, places the known dead at 100,
and the other messages indicate that
the first reports of damage and casu-
alties were greatly exaggerated. Dis
patches to the State Department at
Washington place the fatalities at
about 500. These conflicting state
ments cannot at this time be adjust
ed. 1t is evident that even yet confu-
sion prevail at Valparaiso, and until
order is restored it will be impossible
to ascertain with accuracy the loss to
life and property.
Famine confronts Them.
The dwellings In the city have prac.
tically been abandoned and the peo-
pie are existing as best they can in
the Dlazas and streets of the city and
the hills adjacent to 1t without shelter
from storm or sun and with famine
confronting them. Food is already
scarce and high, water for drinking
purposes is lacking and disease. is
feared. The Government is doing all
it can to bring relief.
The Gripping OF railroads leading
into Valparaiso constitutes a serious
factor in the situation as, for an in
definite period, through means of
transportation, the seaboard AFFORD
Ing the best of these.
At Santiago many of the best pub
lie and private buildings were wreck
ed The loss of life there was argu-
mented by the panic which seized the
people, many of whom threw them
selves from the balconies of their
homes.
The destructive force OF the earth
quake was experienced over a large
extent of the country. many towns
sustaining serious damage.
Elghty-two Shocks.
VALPARAISO, Chill, Aug. 19.-At
7:52 o'clock last Thursday evening |
Valparaiso experienced an earthquake |
shock of great severity. and during
that night elghty-two shocks were
felt.
Most of the buildings Of the city |
either were ruined or damaged. The
loss will be enormous, probably reach
ing 100000.
Two thousand killed Is considered
to be fair estimate of the casualties.
Vina Del Mar (three miles from Val
paraiso, and having a population of
10000, Quirihue (225 miles to the
southwark with population OF 2.5O0), !
Salto, Limache Fifteen miles to the
northwest, with a population of
6,500). Quillato twenty-five miles to
the northwest with a population of
10000, and villages all around were
destroyed.
Most of the damage was due to fire,
which started Immediately after the
first shock. The whole population Is
sleeping in the hills, the parks or the
streets. Food is very scarce. Milk
costs two Chiffon dollars a liter, and
1t is almost impossible to obtain meat,
even at high prices. The railroads
are destroyed. Rain, which began to
fall Immediately after the first shock,
stopped an hour afterwards. The
nights are very cold and windy. The
people sleeping in the open are suffer i,
ing greatly. 8
The Captain of steamship which g
mas arrived from San Francisco says q
hat the situation here Is worse than q
hat following the disaster at San h
Francisco