The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-28
ChiIapa s Shaken B Earth-
 quake and Burned
PEOPLE FLEE FROM DEATH
No One Is Reported Killed at the Place of Disaster, But an Anerl- can Dies of Fright at the
 News In Vera Cruz.

Mexico City, March 27.-Chilapa, a town of 16,O00 inhabitants in the state of Guer- rero, has been shaken by an earthquake and burned.
 The shocks, two in number, occurred early last evening and were followed by fires, which, originating in a dozen places among the tumbling buildings. joined in confiagration that swept the town. Only meager facts of the disaster are known here, and what has been learned has dribbled in from half dozen sources more or less authentic The loss of life, if any. as we'll as monetary extent of the property loss, is probably large, and ef- forts to gauge the catastrophe have been futile tonight. Telegraph communication with Chilapa was severed by the shocks, and the town Is two days by horseback from the nearest railway station
 Couriers have been dispatched to Chl- apa from Chilpancngo, some 45 miles distant, and it is presumed that messen- gers for relief were sent from the burned city early today and possibly immedi- ately following the earthquake last night.
 The reports that have reached here agree that the town was destroyed by the shocks and fire and that the people fled from the place terror-stricken.
 Death From Fright.
 Mrs. Emma Jeannett D'Orville an American, lost her life in a panic in the Tiburclo theatre in the city of Vera Cruz, which followed the earthquake of last night News of the panic and the one death which followed reached this city tonight When the quake was felt the aud fence rushed for the exits and many were severely bruised but none seious- ly injured. Mrs. D'Orville dropped dead from fright.
 In this city a gendarme was killed, 15 persons were slightly and one fatally. l,r- jured by failing beams and walls 4 4 of these belonged to the working classes.
 Early today, Fl Imparcial, the gov ernment organ, received dispatch from it's correspondent in the town of Chilpa- cingo, saying that the town of Chilapa, 30 miles distant from that place, was totally destroyed by the earthquakes and that fire broke out in the ruins and is now completing the work of destruction. The people of the town are terrorized and many are praying in the open plazas and in the fields adjoining the town.
 Reduced To Ashes.
 Some hours later the same correspond end sent the following:
 Later returns confirm my first tele- gram; Chilapa has been shaken to the earth and reduced to ashes l avoid the sending of details.'
 Chilapa has a population of some 15,- JvJ people and is the largest town in the state of Guerrero. To reach the place it Is necessary to travel one day by train and then four days over a rough mountain trail on horseback. Photographic communication has not been interrupted with Chilapa, but officials of the place have not as yet answered the telegrams of inquiry sent to them.
 Reports coming in from various points in the republic show that the quake was felt over a very wide area, but that in no place, with the possible exception of Chilapa, was there a considerable loss of life or property.
 Official Advices.
 Governor Damian Flores. the chief executive of the state of Guerrero, who is in this city at 9 o'clock tonight re- ceived the first official advices from the town of Chilapa, said to have been de- stroyed in the heavy earthquake shock which occurred last night.
 The message to the governor says that while a number of the buildings of the town werel eveled to the ground no lives were lost. The police quarters and the mayors office were destroyed and the jail badly damaged. Great Assures were made in the streets and open fields. In the neighboring town of Ometepec the jail was destroyed and 30 prisoners made their escape. Troops are guarding the public buildings that are standing Tn Chilapa but perfect order prevails
 Later returns from Chilapa show, how ever. that the dispatch received by Gov ernor Flores was ultra conservative. The town was practically destroyed though no lives were lost. Most of the build ings that were levelled were residences Thirty-four shocks have been recorded during the past 24 hours by the seismo- graph at the national observatory at Tabuyaca Most of these shocks, now ever were imperceptible except 10 the delicate needle of the instrument.