The Washington herald., 1908-03-29
REFUGEES IN APANIC
Arrivals at Balsas Tell Of
Horrors Of Earthquake.
COURIERs REPLACE THE WIRES
Authorities Compelled To Use Indian
Runners IN Get News from stricken
PIaees-RiVer Bed Rises and W uH-
tains Emit SuIphurOuS Flames
Prisoners Escape Jail.

Mexico City, March 2S.-A uumDe. OF
Americans and other refugees from tle
earthquake territory Of the state of
Guerrero to-day arrived at Balsas. the
nearest point % the scene OF the dis
turbance.
They bring many narrowing stories Of
the damage that was wrought and the
suffering on the part OF the panic
stricken people Of the mountain towns.
II is said that at ChilpancingO the
alarm OF the Inhabitants over the severe
earth tremblings soon passed away, and
they set 10 work 10 learn how the people
OF the towns further in the interior had
Jared. In the absence Of Gov. Flores, the
local municipal authorities sent out run
ners to the various towns throughout a
territory situated within a radius of 100
miles.
The telegraph lines were prostrated,
and the only means Of communication
was. by overland travel The Indian
couriers were acquainted with the noun
tain trails. and they picked their way
over the difficult places with a swiftness
that was remarkable.
One Report Exaggerated.
Several of these couriers returned to
day. bringing reports of devastation and
loss Of life. II IS stated that only two
lives were lost in Chilapa. where the
early reports were to the effect that the
entire town. which has population of
about 10.000 people. had been destroyed.
Some Of the larger and more costly build
ings in the town were either tumbled
down or damaged 10 such an extent as
TO make them uninhabitable. In the ex-
citement, the prisoners of the Jail made
their escape and began looting the
abandoned homes. The police made a
number of arrests. and soon obtained
control of the situation.
A courier who arrived at Chnpancingo
from Petlatlan. thriving town situated
twenty miles beyond Chilapa. saws that
il was completely destroyed A great
fssure was opened across the mountain
near the town and the courier had 10
make a long detOUr in order TO reach
Chilpancingo.
a number Of people were injured by
falling walls. but none was killed so far
as known.
River Bed Rises.
The river which flows near Atlixtac
was affected by an upheavaI OF the
earth and the rising water threatens 20
overflow the village. Much damage was
done at Atlixtac
Wild reports are in circulation as to the
damage done in the towns situated south
of Chilpancingo and adjacent to the Pa
cific. No direct communication has been
received here from Acapulco or other Pa
cifc coast points since the earthquake
occurred.
Arrivals at ChilpancingO from the town
OF Viejo say it was reported there that
a tidal wave had followed the severe
shock and had swept away towns in the
low country bordering the coast. This
report is not credited here as il is
thought that the government meteoro-
logical bureau would have been advised
II any such calamity had occurred. At
Manzanillo. and other Pacific
ports no unusual disturbance Of the
ocean was noticeI
Mountains Emit Fumes.
The government has expected deputa- |
ton of scientists to proceed immediately
to the scene Of the most severe disturb |
ance in the state Of Guerrero and investi- |
gate the effect of the upheaval. In some
places the mountains are cracked. and
from these openings strong suIpburous
fumes were emitted during the brief in
terval that the particular shock which /
did the great damage, lasted These |