St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1883-01-06
THE FIRE AT KINGSTON, JAMAICA.
A Graphic Description BY a Lady Eye
Witness-Thrilling Incidents.


the city from the time the first alarm was
given until she found refuge on the ship at
midnight. She said:
II was out with some friends when cries
OF fire were heard and echoed along the street
We at once learned how the fire was supposed
to have occurred. boy was in a lumber
yard smoking. His father had repeatedly
threatened him for being there, and only a day
or two before he had been logged for the of
ferse. But the punishment did not seem to af-
feet him much, and on this day he was smolI-
ing as usual on pile of shavings with some
companions at the gate watching for his
father. In spirit of fun they suddenly
yelled Wolf! Wolf! your father is coming
The boy hastily scrambled to his feet and
flung the lighted pipe On the shavings. A
good breeze was blowing, the finder kndled,
and moment later the yard was on fire, with
boys running away as fast as their legs could
ca ry them.
But there is another thing about this mat
ter that has not been noticed, and it may ac-
count for the sudden springing up of fires
during the night far away from the general
blaze. The negroes have long been in q state
of discomfort at the policy of the Government
lin fact, they have chafed under its increas-
ing exactions Now, it is well known in
Jamaica that anonymous letters were circu-
lated saying that the town. would be de-
stroyed. The threats were thrown in certain
circles, extensively discussed, and in many
instances thought of serious moment How
ever true these rumors may be, the conduct of
the natives during the fire showed remarkable
Indifference. In an exceedingly short space
of time after the first alarm was given smoke
issued from houses far away, and the streets
were soon pack I'd with q miscellaneous mob
nj hmm ify o1rp
there seemed no safety in any quarter.
II grew alarmed and tried to force my way
to the ship. The attempt was failure, for the
crowd bore me along toward that part Of the
city where indescribable scores were being
enacted Civilians. soldiers, half-breeds, ne
groes, women, children and otfit ials formed a
closely packed multitude that surged against
the line of houses ON either sile of the streets.
No one made any effort TO save the buildings
except q few Of the hind capped fire brigade
that yanly tried to get by drant-water into the
flames with oldfashoned pumps. finally got
out OF the thickest of the crowd and into the
park. VIII re other scenes were taking place.
Gir's rushed into this open square with bundles
On their ,ads, but the bundles were on fire.
and many of the poor creatures lost their
bf autiful long hair in the showers of
blazing shingles that were carried through
ing men and bowling boys tramped
the streets. Then there were women who
gave way to cries for water and mercy. %
Lord God, send rain on these poor snners!'
cried one wom1n. fssked her why she did not
go for water. Do you 'spose I'd pitch water
with these hands? I'd die frs. I'd see Kings
ton sunk fore I'd tote water Another
woman howled plalntively: % blessed Lord,
have mercyi know'd all de time dat de sin
ner would burn il de day of pentance was put
off too long. Dress de Lord de day of wrath
am 'ah.' man want his piano moved
and went from house to house in search of
help. The reply was: Use moyin furni-
ture to-day. No. sab, not me! Me no do
dat work" The piano was finally carried by
the family into the street with other effects.
where all were burned an hour later 1t was
said that the negroes were ordered not to in
terfere with the fire brigade. but Us q rule they
would do nothing to save the city.
"AS the poole carried Their things through
the streets packag $ and bundles caught fire
and were thrown to the pavement and con-
sumed. One man on fire fled to his bathroom,
filed the tub with water, AM got in it. He
was afterward found dead and roasted to q
crisp a mother was bufaed with child in
her arms. When warehouse went down,
gangs of negroes rushed nto the smolderng
q,
ate like cannibals as they marched yelling
down the streets. A lady was shopping in a
store She heard the alarm, and ran to see il
her house was safe. The fire was half mile
away; before she got there it was in flames.
Near one of the Government buildings a
negro woman fell upon her knees shouting:
% massa God, save the poor women! Kings
ton is such wicket place. l had friend:
she said she would repent. She put it off one
day too long, and now the fire takes the rich
and poor 1t was said on good authority that
his Exeellency the Governor of Jamaica is SO
much disliked by the negroes that when he
appeared on horseback with his private
secretary to leok after the fire he was
greeted W tn sticks and stones and retreated
to place of safety
at last. after a long stru ggle OF four or ays
hours, the lady reached the wharf and got Il
boat to take her to he steamer Alyo. She
gave graphic account of the incidents Of the
night. People were brought on board with
| monkeys and parrots, but without money or
food. One man had tutnip in his clutches
that he had saved from his store Refugees
related how they had seen citizens leave their
valuables and run tearing through the streets
after their chickens. One man who had lost
his warehouse said that when he left the burn
ing buildings negroes were taking away large
quantities Of roasted coffee still smoking and
trying to exchange it for bread. Near the
wharf wealthy woman sat among d pile Of
pots and kettles that she had saved from tine
fire. Jews who carried their yaluables to the
synagogue lost NIL when that edifce burned.
The sights on the ships during the night were
most extraordinary. Mothers came without
their babes: they had lost them in the crowd.
One woman reached the steamer with three
M zs-
broke down. They were not her chi 'dren. In
| her fright she had taken Il neighbours children
and left her own behind in the house, and it
was consumed Another mother was taken on
board with alittle wee thing at her breast.
She had not crust of bread to eat After