Gilpin observer., 1906-08-23

AS all the telegraph and telephone
lines were more or less damaged, the
exact situation throughout the coun-
try is not yet known, but advices have
been received to the effect that the
towns Of Virlage and Casa Blanca
were destroyed and that San Felipe,
Rancagua, Melipilla and Llaillai were
severely damaged. At Conception the
shocks were severe and number OF
persons were killed or injured. The
towns Of Rengo, San Fernando, Quill
lota and San Antonio and many vii
lagos are in ruins.
All railway service in the central
zUne is either interrupted entirely or
greatly delayed, and commerce is prac-
tically at standstill.
In the city of Santiago, much dam
age was done. Many public buildings,
particularly churches, were dis
mantled. The buildings of Congress,
the municipal buildings, the Normal
school, the courts, the Peruvian lega-
tion, the residence of President Riesco,
the central market, the prefecture Of
police and the National telegraph Of
flee all were seriously damaged. The
lines of the electric tramway system
and electric light wires were short
circuited, interrupting street car traffic
and plunging the city into darkness.
The scenes at the hospitals and pris-
ons during the excitement were dis
tressing in the extreme. The prison
ers tried to escape from the jails in
the hope that they might reach place
of safety, and prison guards were
Obliged to fire into the air in order to
intimidate and quiet their panic
stricken charges.
There have been several return
shocks of light intensity. These
shocks have served to continue the
state of public alarm and state OF
panic still prevails. The astronomical
observatory, however, has given out
a statement to the effect that it does
not appear to be possible that there
be a repetition of the severe shocks.
Last night, many persons slept in the
tr,,mway cars, in carriages and in the
open air in the public squares and
streets. The government has taken
steps to restore order. An inspection
of all houses left standing has been
ordered and directions have been is
sued for the distribution of relief sup
plies to those in need. A troop of cav
airy has been sent to re-establish COM
munication with Valparaiso.
The alarming news first received by
the government from Valparaiso as to
the situation in that city has not been
confirmed, but 1t is known that num-
erous buildings in the vicinity of the
port were destroyed and that there
have been severe fires in the Almen-
dral quarter. The mayor of Valparaiso
sent word that he did not know the
number of killed or injured, but he be-
lieved they were numerous.
Firemen left Santiago yesterday for
Y~,,1, a.
fires there. The custom house in Val
paraiso is reported to be burning. Sew
eral travellers who have Just arrived
here from Valparaiso say that reports
of the situation in that city were ex-
aggerated.
An employe of the telegraph service
sent word from Salto, near Valparaiso,
confirming the news of the serious
fires in the Almendral quarter. This
enploye also sent news that the Span
ishItalian Bank was destroyed by the
earthquake. A traveller who came here
by express train says that when the
train was near Las Vegas, about half
way btween Valparaiso and San
tiago, the cars were shaken violently
and the engine nearly left the track.
n stop was made and the terrified pas
sengers alighted. Later. they pro-
ceeded to Laillai. which they found in
alE'ost total ruins.
All lines of railway to the north and
the line to Talca are greatly dam
aged. In the city of Santiago. a ma
jority of the victims of the disaster
were residents of the poorer sections
of the city, where many small houses
were thrown to the ground. Several
deaths from nervous excitement and
heart disease are reDOrted