The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1902-05-23

heavy clouds shfoudlng the Mont Pc
lee crater An the previous day loud
detonatlons from the volcano had been
heard. 30 loud that the revorberations
echoed from st. Thomus on theinorth
TO Barbadoes on the south. Tho fear
iul crashing sound ceased and there be-
gan shower OF ine ashes. which fell
ike rain over the city. The inhabitants
became alarmed. but Gov. Mountet
who arrived at st: Pierre the evening
before. did everything possible 10 al
lay the panic. They partly succeeded.
but scarcely had the fears OF the peo-
pie been allayed when there came the
explosion. and in an, instant 81 Pierre
Its people. It's houses, had been blotted
out OF existenceJ
After search OF three hours in the
ruins found no trace OF the American
consulate, Consul Thomas r. Prentis
his wife and two daughters, are un-
doubtedly dead. That quarter OF the
city is still a vast mass OF blazing
ruins, Nor has any trace OF James
Japp. the British consul. been found
Mr. Japp had a large family at St
Pierre.
From everything saw I feel CONF
dent that 10000 is not too great an
estimate OF the loss OF life. Every one
In the city persisted. and suburban
towns added thousands to the number
OF victims
Plantations and small villages have
been devastated by the ceaseless rain
OF ashes and FIRE which has poured
from, Mont Pelee.
These survivors have taken refuge
In the hills, away from the danger OF
the lava flow In the valleys. but still
menaced by the showers OF Gre. They
must be relieved, taken to places OF
safety. fed and clothed. The work
must be done quickly. Hundreds and
even thousands OF them must perish
as II is before help can reach them.
The work Of exploring the ruins Of
ST. Pierre. Of bringing away the refu-
gees In the hills In the northern part
OF the Island and OF burning the bodies
OF victims is progressing as rapidly
as circumstances will permit.
Fort de France is crowded with refu'
gees and food is already so scarce that
alarm is felt that II will be exhausted
before supplies can reach here
As result OF the relief work the
people who had fed to the hills be-
hind the village OF lie Prccheur. nearly
1000 in number, have been brought
here
They are In most pitiable condl-
ton. Hundreds OF them are frightful-
ly burned and in most urgent need OF
medical care. All the doctors and
nurses In Fort de France are working
night and day among the injured and
they are assisted by scores OF volunteer
nurses. many women OF the wealthiest
families OF Fort de France giving their
services
A number OF steamers. including the
government vessel Rubls, started from
here for 81. Pierre. They carried gov.
eminent delegates, a number OF gend-
armes. detachment OF regular In
fantry and several priests.
The vessels also carried a quantity
OF fire wood. petroleum and quickllme
for use IN the cremation OF the bodies
OF the victims OF the terrible volcanic
OUTBREAK. l-a'se quan u,t,1 VI u'1'h
les.al.s aiu s'0ons VI Ss ~, 9,
Pierre.
The refugees mad, us a RUE. assem-
bled at lie Caroet ana case fliote' MOI
Tar from 81. pierre. ana IL Is reported
over a thousand OF them nave uiec
since the teariul stream OF iaVa poured
down Mont Pelee. el
The sea for miles round was covered
with the wreekage OF the vessels SUM
on ST. Pierre at the time OF the dis
aster, and ashore only few trees. al
bent seaward by the force OF the vol
canic shower. were left standing.
When nearing 81. Pierre the Rubi'
met a number of tugs towing lighters
allied with refugees,
The heat from the smoking. lava
covered ruins at 81. Pierre was. SUI
locating and the stencil from the
corpse-strewn streets was awful. Only
a few walls we're standing. The re-
port that the hospital CLOCK was round
\ intact with It's hands stopped AZ f'oV