The Earthquake in Valparaiso, Chile
By E. W. Thomann
TO-DAY I reached Valparaiso, coming from Terena, a city farther north, where I have labored for some time. Valparaiso has suffered, I think, comparatively more by the earthquake than did San Francisco, but the fire did not do so much harm. Probably two thousand persons were killed by the falling houses. The walls of most of the houses have fallen, or have large cracks, and many of the most costly buildings are completely destroyed. It is now six days since the earthquake, and the ruins are still burning. Martial law is in force. Many robbers have been shot down in the streets, and many for lesser crimes have been stabbed, as a lesson to others. After 6 P. M. nobody is allowed to walk in the street. Food is distributed quite freely, so the people are not suffering from hunger. Water is easily obtainable, as it runs in the streets, where the conduits are broken. Many people are injured. The panic has been horrible, and people still show their fear in face and manner. Our people are all alive, and have suffered comparatively little. Brother Steele was able to save nearly everything in his house, after the shock, before the fire reached the building, but the book depository burned, very little more than the account-books, typewriter, and a few small articles being saved. The house where we lived is still standing. Only one wall and pieces of others have fallen. We do not lose much. I am glad that it is not more, and am thankful to the Lord that he spared us. I came to prepare special articles for our paper, Senales. The press where we publish it has not suffered much, and we expect that the authorities will soon permit work in the houses again. The place where we had the paper stored for the Senales was not burned, neither was the office of the custom-house agent, so we hope to receive books that may be there.20 I hope this severe earthquake will help the message of the Lord, and soften many hearts to accept it. I am of good courage, and am confident that the Lord is coming soon. E. W. THOMANN.