Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-17
MARTINIQUE's HORRORS.
United States Consul Keevi Writes a Graphic
Description of the Scene.

prescription Oh the scene.
A. c. Grosholtz of Philadelphia. SAYS the
Philadelphia Press today. has received letter
from Alfred A. keevil, United States consul TO
Martinique, who is his personal friend. The
letter, which was mailed at ST. Pierre August
r. gives some further details concerning the
terrible work of the West Indian hurricane
which almost devastated the island on August
H. Consul keevil says:
I'VE have just passed through a terrible or
deal, as you have doubtless read in the cables
sent the day after. Your widest imagination
cannot picture the terrible affair and itS results
Nearly every village and town in the
Island is totally nearly wiped out OF
existence and nearly seven hundred lives are
reported lost Morne Rouge is entirely gone
Forte de France nearly all gone, and Foun-
tam Chaud destroyed with the exception of
the dining room and parlor. The hurricane
demolished all the large mango and other trees.
which were torn to splinters and hurled down
the precipices. In fact, there Is not a tree in
all the visible part of the island that retains a
leaf or small branch, and in most cases they
are torn up by the roots.
my wife and an American lady were at the
Fountain Chaud for "a week, having gone up on
the day before. They are safe. but badly
bruised and suffering prostration from the Sc
we're mental strain.
to IL p. m. / felt it coming and went home
at p. m. and barricaded doors, windows
and shutters. Ii was well / did. As il was
the entire roof game down piece by piece
while tiles, beams, rocks and large limbs of
trees flew around and about lie a terrific
bombardment from grape and solid shot,
while continual sheets of lightning PLAYED
around, and deluge of rain rushed down
upon US. My house had water knee deep for
four hours, as did not dare to open the barri-
caded doors TO allow its outlet as fast as il came
In Everything in our house saturated
and was there alone and fearful of nv poor
wife's fate. But thank God, alive. and
all suffered as badly or worse than we did.
st. Pierre lis entirely unroofed the Hotel
de Bains entirely uuroofed, as is also the club
house The debris IN the streets and alleys
next morning stood breast high with wreckage.
Not vessel or lighter of any description is
left in the port or island coast. Alas the
beauty OF Martinique has gone for a time. Not
a particle of fruit is left and scarcely living
animal. have to close, time is pressing
and my duties imperatiye.as there are SO many
shipwrecked sailors to care for"
Capt. Elwell of the American brig Ned White
which was wrecked at st. Pierre, was passen-
ger, with his wife, on the United States and
Brazil mail steamship Vigilancia, which reached
New York Tuesday night.
Capt. Elwell had just finished unloading his
vessel at 4 clock in the afternoon. when the
cyclone struck ST. Pierre. There was not the
slightest warning of the approach of the storm.
Tho brig was torn from her moorings and
carried ON the rocks. The capt,i-
threw himself overheard and swan
ashore. Three of his ribs were broken
when he struck the beach, the waves fairly
hurting him on shore. He managed to crawl 10
a natives hut, where he was cared for as well
as the desperate condition of the occupants
would permit. The hut WAS roofiess and partly
demolished by the storm.
Ks eartluunkR tla
burst OF the cyclone and the rain fell in tor
rents. Thunder and lightning added TO the
terror of the half-crazed natives. Early next
morning the crew of the Ned White reac he'd
shore. The captains wife was fortunately on
shore when the cyclone struck. Nearly
every house in st. Pierre. the captain
said, was unroofed, and all steamships.
sailing vessels and other craft were either
sank or driven ashore. Haytian man -of-war
lying at Fort de France was lost. with all hands.
and the American brig Jennie Phinney was
stranded and dismasted. The crew OF the Ned
White were more fortunate, though they saved
nothing except the clothing they wore. The
crew were sent home by the American consul
In the bark ]. b. Rabel, which is now on her
Way to New York