Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-05-06
HUNDREDS WE'RE KILLED.
CONTINUED from Page IL

and San Jose. Over this wire the
story of disaster is coming slowly,
the details of the catastrophe being
interspersed with appeals for aid.
When the first stragglers arrived
in San Jose yesterday with the news
of the disaster relief parties were
organized and sent to Cartago. It is
expected that reports will soon be re-
ceived from them, telling of the sup
plies and aid needed.
The first shock prostrated tele-
graph and telephone wires and it
was not until hours afterwards that
the outside world heard of the dis
aster. San Jose had vainly attempt
ed to get into communication with
Cartago and it was feared that some
grave trouble had arisen. When the
refugees arrived with the story of the
quake the authorities were quick to
act and organized relief was sent at
once.
The survivors tell graphic stories
of the disaster The first shock came
just after sunset, one refugee de-
clared, The movement came without
warning, the ground seeming to rise
and pitch forward. For several min
utes the undulation continued while
all about the und of rending tim
bers and crashing buildings could be
heard
When the quake ceased buildings
were in ruins and streets were
blocked by wreckage.
Shortly afterwards soldiers were
out on the streets and there was an
attempt to control the disorder that
followed.
People fled from their homes ter
ror stricken. The roads out of the
city we're crowded with people seek
ing safety.
The minor shocks that followed
added to the fear and confusion and
the city was a scene of wild disorder
with frenzied people rushing through
the streets shrieking in terror.
From the wrecked buildings there
were cries of anguish. Hundreds Of
persons, the refugees say, were pin
ned under the wreckage. All during
the night the disorder and confusion
continued and it was not until the
next morning that any real effort
could be made to recover the bodies
of the dead and aid to the injured.
On the morning after parties were
organized and the work of rescue was
commenced. While only a small
number of the dead had been taken
from the ruins at the time the last
news was received, ft Is declared that
fully 500 persons lost their lives.
The number OF injured has not
even been estimated as yet. The
property loss in Cartago has been
enormous. No estimate of the dam
age has been attempted yet, but It is
declared by the refugees that the
greater part of the best section of
the city IS in ruins.
Hundreds are homeless, but food
supplies are low. Whether the dam
age spreads to villages and towns
in the vicinity is not yet known.
While the refugees who have found /
their way to San Jose declare that
they saw no signs of damage on the
route of their flight, 1t is not known
there was damage IN other
parts of Costa hica.
The wires out OF Cartago are down,
with the exception OF the single one
leading to San Jose, and no reports
form the surrounding country have
yet been received from the stricken
city, II Is reported.
Cartago, according to messages re-
aeived here today is doing the best II
'an to care for its injured and to
provide shelter and food for the
iomeless.
The greatest fear Of the author
ties is that a pestilence may follow
and every effort Is being made to re-
move the bodies OF the dead from the
ruined homes. They are being car
'ied outside the city by soldiers and
are being buried as rapidly as the
work can be done
Temporary shelters have been pro-
'ided for the refugees.
Among the buildings destroyed |
gas residence OF President Jlml-
'oz The Weldon hotel which has
'een headquarters for most Amerl-
'an tourists who have visited caria-
90, IS also in ruins. The Carriage