In 1835 there was an earthquake. Being an engineer he was in demand to repair the many damaged buildings and was able to get out of poverty. Antonio López de Santa Anna arrested him in 1855 for a political reasons on something Echeandía negatively said about him, but he was then released.
In 1835, an earthquake occurred, leading to a demand for the engineer's skills to repair damaged buildings and his subsequent escape from poverty.  However, in 1855, Antonio López de Santa Anna arrested him due to political reasons stemming from Echeandía's negative comments about him. The arrest was later overturned.