The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-05-29
Column Of Black Smoke is
Thrown Three Miles Into
the Heavens.
EXPLORER HILL IS NOW
SAFE IN FORT De FRANCE
Had PeriIous Journey, But Got Some
Valuable Photoeraphs-Fiash
of Lightning In the Immense
Black Cloud.

Fort de France, Island OF Martinique,
May q, 5 p. ma tremendous explosion
of very black smoke from Mont Pelee
at s:45 o'clock this morning. accumulated
the fear entertained for the safety of
George Kennan, the American author,
who. with a land party. has been exam
lining the northern part Of the island
The Governor of Martinique. NJ Lux
Huerre was at once seen with the OBJ
ject of arranging rescue party to pro-
ceed by land In connection with the voy-
age along the coast of the United States
cruiser Cincinnati should such steps ap-
pear necessary.
At about IL o'clock this morning. Ferdi-
nand Clero wealthy land proprietor of
Martinique, arrived here and announced
that Mr.. Kennan and his party were safe
| on plantation at the north of the island.
Prof. Robert T. Hall. United States gov
ernment geologist and the head of the
expedition sent to Martinique by the Ma
tional Geographical Society. who left Fort
de France Monday on horseback for the
volcano. returned here this morning. He
was completely worn out by the trip.
Professor Hill left Fort de France at
| 1 o'clock Monday afternoon. He was ac-
| companied by a Mr.. Cavanaugh. an army
officer from the British Island of Trim
adad, and a boy named Joe, who was to
act as interpreter. The party set out on
horseback and took the direct north road
for Morne Rouge. Between the hamlets
of Deux Choux and Fonds st. Denis, the
party entered upon the outer edge of the
zone of ashes. Except for occasional
J patches all the country to this point was
| green and smiling. Upon reaching the
Raibud plantation, one mile southwest of
st. Pierre. the explorers met the clear
line of demarkation of the zone OF flame
and destruction. although not of ami
hilation. Monday night was spent in a
deserted house at Fonds st. Dennis, from
which Professor Hill witnessed and stud
led the volcanic eruption of that night
At this point the horses of the party
| became exhausted.
Explorer Rushed On.
Early the next morning Professor Hill
| rushed on to Mount Parnasse, where sew
eral people were killed in the eruption OF
May s. From Mount Parnasse the ex-
| plorer proceeded to Morne Rogue, where
he succeeded In getting number OF I'M
portant photographs He found that
close approach to Mont Pelee was i'm
possible and as his actual position was
dangerous, he started back in southerly
| direction. At Champs Flore, Professor
| Hills horse gave out completely and he
| secured the services of native guides who
led him by wild mountain paths back to
Fonds. St Denis and Deux Choux. Tues
day night was spent at the latter place.
Professor Hill reached Fort de France
at II o'clock this morning by walking,
riding a borrowed horse and riding in a
| carriage at different stages of the jour-
ney
this morning. while on his way into Fort
de France and he says cloud of black
smoke at great height was drifting
slowly to the southeast.
Speaking personally of his expedition
to Mont Peiee, Professor Hill said;
Attempt Was Futile.
my attempt to examine the crater Of
Mont Pelee has been futile. l succeeded.
however, in getting very close to Morne
Rogue. At o'clock Monday night L
witnessed, from point near the ruins
of St Pierre, frightful explosion from
Mont Pelee and noted the accompanying
phenomena While these eruptions con-
tinue no sane man should attempt to
ascend to the crater of the volcano. Fol-
. lowing the detonations OF the mountain
! gigantic mushroon-shaped columns or
smoke and cinders ascended into the
clear star-lit sky and then spread. In a
vast black sheet to the south and direct
ly over my head Through this sheet.
which extended a distance of ten miles
| from the crater. vivid and awful lightning
like bolts flashed with alarming fire.
| ouency. They followed distinct paths or
ignition but were different from lightning
| in that the bolts were horizontal and not
perpendicular This is indisputable evil
dence of the explosive oxidation OF the
gases after they left the crater. This
is most important observation and ex-
plains in part the awful catastrophe.
This phenomenon is entirely new in vol
canic history.
"I took many photographs, but don't
hesitate to acknowledge that l was ter
rihed But l was not the only person sd
frightened. The newspaper correspond
ents who were close to Horn Rouge, some
hours before me, became scared, ran
three miles down the mountain and has
tened to Fort de France
People Terrified.
'"rhe people on north end of the island
are terrified and are fleeing with their
| cattle and effects. l spent Tuesday night
| in a house at Heux Choux with crowd
| of two hundred of these frightened ref
ugees.
Nearly all the phenomena of these vol
| canic outbreaks are new 10 science dne
| many of them have not yet been ex-
planned. The volcano is still intensely
| active and | cannot make any predictions
as to what it will do"
The story related by Ferdinand Clere
is also quite interesting.
''Mr. Kennan and party have been with
me. We reached the crater not far from
Ajoupa Bolinon, in a short time. We dis.
covered that it had broken out at the
| very head of the river Falaise about
200 Yards from the high road. Our party
| ..dIr l,ft