Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 January 1902 — EARTHQUAKE KILLS 300 PERSONS [ARTICLE]

EARTHQUAKE KILLS 300 PERSONS

A Terrible Catastrophe in the State of Guerrero, Mexico. CHURCH FALLS ON PEOPLE. Population £/ Chllpanzlngo Camping Out Under Tents Around the T wn — Much Sufl.'erlng —Troops Called Out — Disturbances Felt In Many Cities. One of the most terrible catastrophes in the history of the state of Guerrero, Mexico, is reported to have occurred late Thursday afternoon, when an extremely violent earthquake shock was felt at Chilpanzingo, causing a great loss of life and injuring many persons. Details from the stricken district are very meager, but scattering reports received at Mexico City indicate that probably 300 persons were killed and as many more injured. It is known that the state capitol, the parish church and many business houses and residences are in ruins, and there is much suffering as a result of the awful seismic discurbance. One of the edifices that suffered most was the federal telegraph office, which explains the paucity of news that has so far reached this city.

Many Killed In a Church. Meager details finally begin to arrive at Mexico City. The telegraph llpes and apparatus at Chilpanzingo were badly damaged, but the employes, all of whom were uninjured, quickly proceeded to erect an inlprovised telegraph office on the outskirts of the city. The number of deaths was greater in the parish church than in any single place, as a crowd of worshipers were gathered there for the afternoon service. The solid masonry walls and roof came toppling down on the worshipers, and many persons were killed. The war department has ordered troops in the neighborhood to co-operate in the work of rescue. Until this work is completed it will be impossible accurately to learn the number of victims. It is believed that this is one of the most destructive fseismic phenomena that has occurred in Mexico. The greater part of the population of Chilpanzingo are now camping out under tents around the town, which is five days’ journey from the national capital. Shocks Felt In Many Cities. Earthquake shocks were felt in many other cities and towns. In Mexico City the earthquake took place at 5:17 o’clock Thursday afternoon, and was of such violence as to shake she most substantial buildings. The Pan-Amer-ican congress was in session at the time, and many of the delegates were greatly alarmed. The first movement was one of trepidation, and was very sharp. It was followed by an easy, oscillatory movement northeast to south-southwest. The duration was fifty-five seconds. The damage in this city was only slight. The state of Guerrero has always been the focus of seismic disturbance. Reports received state that the shock was very severe at Chilapa. No casualties ■ are so far reported from tnere. The duration of the Chilpanzingo shock was less than that in Mexico City, having lasted fifty seconds, against fiftyfive seconds at the capital. Late advices say that the earthquake was also intense at Iguala, in the state of Guerrero. destroying the parish church and. many buildings in the city and neighborhood. Among the latter was the sugar mill of General Frisbie, an American. The mill had just been completed and fitted up with American machinery at a cost of $200,000. Theproperty loss is Immense throughout the state of Guerrero.