New-York tribune., 1907-04-16
TWO TOWNS DESTROYED
lfE1ICANS LOSE LIVES.
Earthquake Kills Eleyen in Ch1pan-
cingO-Wres Dovcn.

ChilpancingO. Mex. April 15.-This city has
been destroyed by one Of the most serious earth
quakes that has ever visited this section. JJp
10 this evening the known dead number eleven.
and the badly injured twenty-seven. Among the
dead are the wife Of Postal Inspector LeopoIdo
Lopez Guerra, and the child Of Jose AIeman. the
postmaster of the c'ty. joss Lopez Martinez
manager OF the Federal Telegraph Office. was
struck on the head by block Of stone and badly
injured A panic prevails everywhere and peo-
pie are fleeing to the open country. The earth
continues to rock at half hour intervals
All telegraph communication with the outside
world ceased shortly after 11:5O o'clock Iase
night. when the first shock was felt. The tels-
graph operators have set up their Instruments
in an open square.
Word has reached here that the town Of Chi
lapa, forty-twO kilometres TO the northeastward.
has also been destroyed. As yet no details have
been received as to the number Of the dead and
wounded but it is feared that the number win
be large.
This city is the capital Of the State OF Guer-
zero. and four years ago was visited by an
earthquake which killed and wounded many OF
its inhabitants and destroyed a large part oc
the town. The population of the town is 7,49s.
and until the panic into which the citizens have
been thrown abates. it will be impossible to
state accurately to just what extent the recent
earthquake has decreased it, The population OF
the city Of Chilapa is $4,000. and that place Is
the home Of the bishop of the Catholic Church,
who administers the ecclesiastical affairs Of the
entire region No word has been received from
the bishops palace. and it is not known at this
time whether or not he was victim Of the
shock
Midway between the cities Of ChilpancingO and
Chilapa is located the city of TixtIa This is a
prosperous and progressive community, and as
no word has been received from that place. Il
Is feared that 1t also has been destroyed. Ac-
cordng to the movements of the earthquake
Tixta would be in it's direct line and il the city
has escaped it has been only by a miracle.
The following message was sent to the fed
eral telegraph office in Mexico City, from Chi
lapa:
Our boys are working in public garden. A
terrible panic prevails, as the earth continues
TO tremble at regular intervals Send US tents
that we may establish Office out in the coun-
try
All communication with the west coast has
been cut of since the moment Of the first shock.
and it is not known to what extent that region
suffered. The nearest big town. Acapulco.
which is 131 kilometres to the southwest OF this
place. has not been heard from.
The volcanoes Of CoIima and JorulIo are in
this region. and it is feared that the shock
may cause them to become more active and to
destroy much property and many lives The
first named volcano is in the State of COIima.
along the coast to the northwest of this city.
JOrIllO is much nearer. and is almost due north
in the State OF NIichOacan.
The inhabitants Of this region are known as
'pintos" because OF spots on their faces. They
are noted for their hardy. warltke spirit and for
their stoicism and fanaucism; but the recent
catastrophe seems to have completely Unnerved
them, as they have up to date lost all discretion
The city Is ninety-seven kilometres from the
nearest railroad line. and il viii be impossible
for the people TO flee except on foot or on horse
back. This fact caused considerable amount
OF anxiety because the state is inhabited by
great number of Americans. who are engaged in
prospecting for mines. The nearest railroad
terminal is at Iguala, which is across the Rio
BalSaS and ninety seven kilOmeUerS TO the north
ward OF ChtlpancingO. The total distance be-
tween ChilpancingO and Mexico is 335 kilO-
metres.