Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-08-21

aSS0Atl0SOS N,lllS, aug. 0ls-OHly IO"
can the seriousness of the catastrophe
begin to be appreciated. The greater
part Of the modern houses here are
unsafe for habitation and the author
ities have organized a special corps to
pull down totering buildings. In most
OF the streets it is not safe to walk on
;avement, owing to falling debris.
zsxago resembles camp. The pub
lie squares and principal avenues are
crowded with people sleeping in the
open. All kinds of carriages and carts
have been rsquisitioned to sleep IN.
The night of August 16 was rendered
dreadful by the flashing lightning and
pouring rain, electric cable wires
swapping as the result of constant and
strong earthquake shocks which oc.
CURED all that night, causing the
greatest CONSERVATION, which was
heightened by the pealing of fire bells
announcing the breaking out of fires
in various quarters of the city. Bach
earth shock was followed by walls
and prayers from 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 mem
ory Of any of the Inhabitants of San
tiago. It caused the bells in churches
to ring, pictures swung from the walls
and there was great heaving motion
Of the ground Experts say the only
thing which saved Santiago from
complete ruin was that the mo-
ton was circular. The principal
shock was from Valparaiso to Santiago
and Meripilla, with Its center at Linn
ache. The last two mentioned towns
were destroyed, as were also Quillota
and Llaillai. The statement that the
approach Of the earthquake was an
nounced by the naval observatory at
Valparaiso two days previous to Its oc-
currence is confirmed. The news was
published in the Chilean press on
August is, the day before the earth
quake occurred Santiago is still prac-
tically isolated telegrap phically from all
other parts of Chile, but an improvised
line to Los Andes connecting with the
European cables, Is working.
No definite news has been received
here from Valparaiso except the, gov
ernor's official report to the president.
The governor informed the president
that he had caused the construction Of
sheds on Brazil avenue in order to
shelter homeless families. He esti-
mated that the quantity of provisions
on the way and the stock on handa
there would last month. The water
supply Is very short owing to the
destruction Of the water works. The
governor says that the only illumina-
tion at night is furnished by burning
buildings. There is difficulty in bury
ing the bodies of the dead, owing to
the panic prevailing. The authorities
have also to contend with serious d1t-
ticulties in succoring the wounded,
owing to the fact that all the drug
stores were destroyed, and that some
time before medical supplies from this
city reached the stricken port, Ihe
state of affairs existing at Valparaiso
furnishes a serious outlook for Santi-
aRo since many homeless people at the
former place will undoubtedly make
their way here. There is not sufficient
accommodation or food in this city for
the destitute people Of Santiago. The
light and fuel question is also growing
more serious. =