Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Story
October 26, 1902
The Worcester Spy
Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts
What is this article about?
In Quezaltenango, Guatemala, animals displayed terror hours before a recent earthquake, alerting a merchant and French traveler to flee; the house was ruined that night.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Animals Gave Warning.
Several hours before the recent earthquake took place in Guatemala a French traveler was taking breakfast at the house of a merchant in Quezaltenango, when suddenly a curious thing happened.
The fountain in the courtyard ceased to flow and from its two orifices came sharp, intermittent sounds; the birds in the aviary, which had been singing merrily, became silent and two dogs and a cat which were in the room betrayed unmistakable signs of terror.
Hastily rising from the table, the merchant said: "We must hurry away from here, for the animals plainly warn us that some terrible disaster, most probably an earthquake, is at hand."
That very night the city was shaken by an earthquake, and of the merchant's house only the ruins remained.
Several hours before the recent earthquake took place in Guatemala a French traveler was taking breakfast at the house of a merchant in Quezaltenango, when suddenly a curious thing happened.
The fountain in the courtyard ceased to flow and from its two orifices came sharp, intermittent sounds; the birds in the aviary, which had been singing merrily, became silent and two dogs and a cat which were in the room betrayed unmistakable signs of terror.
Hastily rising from the table, the merchant said: "We must hurry away from here, for the animals plainly warn us that some terrible disaster, most probably an earthquake, is at hand."
That very night the city was shaken by an earthquake, and of the merchant's house only the ruins remained.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Extraordinary Event
Disaster
What themes does it cover?
Nature
Fate Providence
Misfortune
What keywords are associated?
Earthquake Warning
Animals Predict Disaster
Guatemala Earthquake
Quezaltenango
Animal Terror
What entities or persons were involved?
French Traveler
Merchant
Where did it happen?
Quezaltenango, Guatemala
Story Details
Key Persons
French Traveler
Merchant
Location
Quezaltenango, Guatemala
Event Date
Several Hours Before The Recent Earthquake
Story Details
A French traveler and merchant in Quezaltenango notice animals showing terror as a fountain stops flowing and emits sounds, birds silence, and pets panic, warning of an impending earthquake; they flee, and the house is destroyed that night.