The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-08-28

greatest number OF lives lost was on the north
eastern side on account of that side of the
mountain being the location OF several hot
springs resorts, and owing to the fact, because
Of the peculiar contour OF the mountain that
the first discharge ran down on that side, thus
giving the people there little or no chance OF
escape.
Inawashiro, Just at the foot Of the mountain
on the southwestern slope, and the principal
town around the mountain on that side, was
itrst beyond reach of the mud thrown out, and
not house was destroyed there though some
thirty of the people were killed by falling
stones while attempting to escape For time
after the eruption this town was entirely de-
serted, but, as / have just said, the inhabitants
had returned when we arrived there.
Shibatani, two miles from the foot OF the
mountain on the east was aimose entirely de-
stroyed, not by the mud streams, but evidently
by the earthquake and cyclone, and nearly
every house is mashed flat to the ground,
though it was noticed that the roofs
of the fallen houses were covered with hne
dust and ashes to the depth of about SIX
inches. At Nagasaka, small hamlet one
mile further to the east, not house was de-
stroyed, and if the people had remained indoors
they would doubtless have escaped death, as IS
proven by the fact that one or two old para
lytics and blind people who could not run away
are left unframed. The loss Of life at this lit
tie place was great compared with the popula-
ton. II reached about 100 i'll number IhoSe
who survived say that when they ran from
their houses at the sound of the explosion,
they were overtaken by terrible volume OF
water which overlooked the banks OF the
stream which flows within hundred yards of
the houses of the villages, and which aug
meuted it is supposed, by an immense volume
of water from some unknown source, swept
down the narrow valley in which the town IS
located. Many people were drowned in this
volume OF water, and pond was formed right
in the village, out of which thirty corpses had
been taken up to the time we were there.
Just on the bank of this creek, extending
long way up, there was large embankment
OF mud thrown up, evidently by some internal
force. The embankment is about twenty-five
feet broad and eight TO twelve feet high, and
is OF considerable length up the creek. As to
where that awful volume Of water came from
which rushed over the banks OF the creek, and
flooded everything around in few
minutes, is question Tor scientists
to solve: layrnan that I am
there is no doubt that there is some connection
between this flood of water and that strange
upturning of the earth at the same place.
Lack OF time forbids me going further into
details of this terrible calamity. l talked with
many Of the survivors, some of whom have lost
every member of their households, and their
stories are simply heartrending.
altogether the scene of desoation is indie
scribably awful, and it would be folly in a short
letter like this to attempt to give you any
thing like good idea of it; in fact, that can
only be obtained by visit to the locality.
Thousands OF acres of fine rice lands and silk
farming country have been buried under the
ashes, and will never be fit for cultivation
again. The desolation of homes, the loss OF
life, the terrible sensation of insecurity, and
the dazed condition of the people who survive
make it still scene most pitiabe. / did not
breathe freely at all until had, in returning
from the spot, reached the little town Of
Yamagata, on this side Of the beautiful lake Of