2 ASCOLI, (jtiatcmala)i Raytlujiicikcs and Ernptio}i of igo2. 



The most utter confusion followed the disaster, for shocks 

 followed each other with great rapidity, and the terrified 

 populace were in constant dread that worse might still 

 follow. Out of a population of 20,000, the number of 

 dead was nearly 1,400. Had the shock occurred a few 

 hours later instead of at a time when people were taking 

 their evening stroll, few would have escaped with their 

 lives. 



I was living in the town at the time of the disaster, 

 and, being in a first floor room which collapsed entirel}-, 

 had a very narrow escape. Moreover, for many reasons, 

 I was unable to leave the ill-fated tow'n for a week after 

 April 1 8th, and consequently had full opportunity for 

 seeing what havoc such a shock can cause. 



Owing to its isolated position in the heart of the 

 mountains, and to the superstitious dread of the Indians, 

 who supply the market, the town was totalK' deserted 

 and cut off from the outer world for several days. In 

 addition to other privations, the poorer inhabitants 

 suffered greatly from hunger. Though efforts were made 

 to recover the dead and to alleviate the sufferings of the 

 wounded and destitute, little could be done on account of 

 the magnitude of the disa.ster and the few available 

 hands. 



The centre of the disturbance seems to have been the 

 Santa Maria, for, in addition to Ouezaltenango, most of 

 the buildings on the coffee estates en the southern slopes 

 of the vf)]cano were completely wrecked. The town of 

 San Pedro to the W. of Quezaltenango was also destro)ed. 



During the week following the great earthquake, 

 shocks were of great fre(|iiency, and continued for some 

 six weeks. Quiet reigned again during June, July, and 

 August. Then on September 23rd an earthquake of the 

 oscillating type, of great force and duration, shook the 



