The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-29
Vast Black Sheet of Smoke Overhead,
Through Which Vivid, Awful
Bolts of Flame Flashed.
WERE NOT REAL LIGHTNING
BUT DUE TO THE EXPLOSIVE OXIDA-
TION OF THE GASES.
Author kennan Safe-Panicky Flight
of Correspondents, Who Ran from
Fire and Snakes.

FORT DE FRANCE. Island OF Mar
Unique, May 2S. p. ma tremendous ex-
plosion of very black smoke from Mont
PeIee at s:45 o'clock this morning accen-
tuated the fear entertained for the safety
of George Kennan, the American author.
who. with land party, has been examin-
ing the northern part of the island. The
Governor of Martinique, NJ. L'Huerre, was
rescue party to proceed by land in con-
nection with the voyage along the coast
by the United States cruiser Cincinnati
should such steps appear necessary.
At about II o'clock this morning Ferdi-
nand Clero. a wealthy landed proprietor OF
Martinique. arrived here and announced
that Mr.. Kennan and his party were safe
on a plantation at the north of the island.
Prof. Robert T. Hill, United States gov
ernment geologist and head of the expedi-
ton sent to Martinique by the National
Geographical Society, who left Fort de
France Monday on horseback for the VOL
cano, returned here this morning. He was
completely worn out by the trip.
PROFESSOR HILLS STORY.
Professor Hill recites an interesting story
of his examination OF the district through
which he passed. He left Fort de France
at l O'Clock Monday afternoon. He was ac-
companied by Mr. Cavanaugh. an army
officer from the British Island OF Trinidad,
and boy named Joe. who was to act as in
terpreter. 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 en-
tered on the outer edge of the zone of
ashes. Except for occasional patches all
the country TO this point was green and
smiling Upon reaching the Raibaud plan
tation, one mile southwest OF st. Pierre. the
explorers met the clear line of demarcation
of the zone of flame and destruction, al
though not of humiliation.
Monday night spent in a deserted
house at Fonds ST. Denis. from which Prof.
Hill Witnessed and studied the volcanic
eruption of that night. At this point the
horses of the party became exhausted.
Early the next morning Professor Hill
pushed on 10 Mont Parnasse. where several
people were killed in the eruption of May
s. He encountered no human beings, but
he did meet a number of abandoned cattle.
which tried TO follow him. From Mont
Parnasse the explorer proceeded to Morne
Rouge. where he succeeded in getting a
number OF important photographs. He
found that a close approach to Mont Pelee
was impossible, and. as his actual position
4
erIy direction. At Champs Flore. Prof.
Hill's horse gave out completely and he Sc
cured the services of native guides who led
him by wild mountain paths back TO Fonds
ST. Denis and Deux Choux Tuesday night
spent the latter place. From this
point Professor Hill sent messenger into
Fort de France with a request that a car
riage be sent for him.
Wednesday morning the professor left
Deux Choux and walked TO within fifteen
kilometers OF Fort de France. where he
borrowed an old horse from a negro and
continued his way mounted The carriage
met him five kilometers from Fort de
France and brought him back TO town.
where he arrived at II o'clock this morning.
Professor Hill heard the explosion of this
morning while on his way into Fort de
France and he says cloud of black smoke
at a great height was drifting slowly to the
southeast.
FRIGHTFUL EXPLOSION
Speaking personally OF his expedition 10
Mont Pelee. Professor Hill said: MY at
tempt TO examine the crater of Mont Pelee
has been futile. l succeeded. however. in
getting very close TO Morne Rouge. AT :
O'Clock Monday night I witnessed, from
point near the ruins OF St. Pierre, a fright
ful explosion from Mont Pelee and noted
the accompanying phenomena. While these
eruptions continue sane man should at
tempt 20 ascend 20 the crater Of the vol
esno Following the detonations from the
mountain. gigantic mushroom shaped
columns OF smoke and cinders ascended
into the clear, stsrlit sky and then spread
in vast. black sheet. TO the south and di-
rectly over my head. Through this sheet
whicn extended a distance OF ten miles
from the crater. vivid and awful lightning
Ike bolts flashed with alarming frequency
They followed distinct paths OF ignition.