The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1906-08-24
VALPARAISO Loss
EQUAL TO FRISCO
MUCH DISCREPANCY REGARDING
LOSS OF LIFE IN AND
ABOUT THE CITY.
Property Damage Is Placed at Quarter
Billion, While Deaths Are Esti-
mated at from 100 to 1000, Elk
ceeding Those of Coast Horror.

There continues confusion of state
ments as to the magnitude of the dis
aster to Valparaiso caused by the
earthquake shocks which began on
Thursday, August 16, and continued at
frequent intervals throughout that
and the next two days.
Dispatches from Valparaiso state
that moderate estimate of the fatal
tiles is 1000 and that the property
loss may be as high as $250,000, 900,
which latter is as great as the loss
sustained by San Francisco in conse-
quence of the earthquake and fire
which devastated that city last April
Reports Are Exaggerated.
A refugee who has arrived at Santi-
ago places the known dead at 100 and
other messages indicate that the first
reports of damages and casualties
were greatly exaggerated.
Dispatches to the state department
at Washington place the fatalities at
about 500.
1t is evident that confusion and
panic prevail at Valparaiso and until
order is restored it will be impossible
to ascertain with accuracy the loss to
life and property.
The dwellings in the city have been
practically abandoned by the inhab-
itants who are existing as best they
can in the plazas and streets of the
city and the hills adjacent to it with
out shelter from storm or sun and
with famine confronting them.
Food and Water Scarce.
Food is already scarce and high,
water for drinking purposes is lack
ing and disease is feared.
The government is doing all it can
to bring in relief.
The Gripping of the railroads lead
ing into Valparaiso constitutes a seri-
GUS factor in the situation, as for an
indefinite period relief supplies can
only be obtained through other means
of transportation, the seaboard afford
ing the best of these.
Many Buildings Wrecked.
At Santiago many of the best pub
lie and private buildings were
wrecked. The loss of life there was
augmented by the panic which seized
the people, many of whom threw
themselves from the balconies of
their homes. The destructive force of
the earthquake was experienced over
large extent of the country, many
towns sustaining serious damage.
Rivals Frisco Horror.
Drnnprfiop to1u tho CT of
Valparaiso is considered greater than
that which befell San Francisco-Val-
paraiso and neighboring towns are
wrecked and partially burned, and in
all of the towns of the Aconcagua val
ley conditions are similar.
In the southern portion of Chilli, Sc
we're shocks were felt at Talcapuano,
Conception, Talca and Zone, but there
the disaster was not appalling.
Quakes occur from time to time, but
are steadily diminishing in force.
Dead and Wounded.
AS to the dead and wounded, an &C
curate estimate is as yet impossible,
but it is believed that the former will
exceed 1000 in Valparaiso and sur
rounding towns.
Do Not Fear Famine.
Provisions and thousands of tons of
flour, wheat and rice are held in
stores at Valparaiso and afioat; it is
not believed food famine will occur.
Martial law has ruled in Valparaiso
since the first day of the shocks and
the entire population is camping in
the open.