Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-05-29
A PERIL0US TRIP.
Prof. Hill Goes Dangerously
Near Mont Pelee.
Witnesses An Eruption at Distance
Too Close for Comfort.
Fort dc France Practically Deserted by
Its inhabitants.

this morning, aCcentuated the fears en-
tertaincd for the safety of George Ken
nan, the American author, who, with q
land party, has been examining the
northern part of the island, and the
governor of Martinique, NJ. L'Huerre
was at once seen in the matter of ar
ranging for a rescue party to proceed
by land. in connection with the voyage
along the coast Of the island of the
United States cruiser Cincinnati,
should such steps appear necessary
At about IL o'clock this morning,
Fernand Clero, a wealthy land proprie-
tor of Martinique, arrived here and
announced that Mr.. KEENAN, and his
party We're safe on plantation at the
north end OF the island.
Professor Robert T. Hill, United
States government gcologist and head
Of the expedition sent to Martinique by
the National Geological Society, who
left Fort de France, Monday, on horse
back for the volcano, returned here,
this morning. He was completely
worn out by his trip. Prof. Hill rccites
an interesting story Of his examination
of the district through which he
passed.
He left Fort de- france at | o'clock
Monday afternoon. He was accom-
panied by Mr.. Cavannaugh, an army
officer for the British island of Trini-
dad, and Il boy " no WAS to act as in
terpreter. The party set out on horse
back and took the direct north road
tor Mornc Rouge. Between the ham
let's Of DeuX Chcux and Fonds St Denis
the party entered upon the outer edge
If the zone of ashes. Except for occa-
sionaI patches all the country to this
point was green and smiling. Upon
reaching the Baibaud plantation, one
mile southwest Of St Pierre, the eX-
rlorcrs met the clear line of demarCa-
ton OF the zone of flame ana dcstruC-
ton, although not of humiliation.
Monday night vas spent in 4 desert
cd house at Ponds St. Denis, from
which Prof. Hill Witnessed and studied
the volcanic eruption of that night. At
this point the horses of the party be
came exhausted. Early the next morn
ing, Prof Hin pushed on TO Mont Par
nasse where several people were killed
in the eruption of May 3. Prof. Hill
encountered no human beings, but he
aid meet Il number of abandoned cat
tie which tried 10 follow him.
From Mont Plrnassc the explorer
proceeded for Morne Rouge. There he
succeeded in getting a number Of inn
portant photographs, but found that
close approach to Mont Pelec was i'm
possible, and, rs his actual position
was dangerous, ~ started back in a
southerly direction.
AT Champs fI"ur ff"t. nm hoi",
gave out c"npie''iy' ana ne St'uI eu
the services 81 HtuNc buiueS' MO ieu
him ~ wild mountain paths back to
Ponds st. Denis and Deux CheuN.
,r-l,. ,i,bt ,,..,, .;,ont at thp LATTER
Mac. From this point Prof. Hin sent
a messenger into Fort dc France with
request that carriage be sent out
to hin.
Nedh'S""5 "'"' "l''f' ,"e MKT,
LETT D"uN 'htuN an" N"lN'" " "I,'i'''
| Is kilometres Of Fort DC France. hefc
he borrowed an old horse from negro
ana continued his way mounted. The
carriage met him Eve kilometres from
Fort de- France *nd brought nm PACK
y town. Wher" Y. arrive" n II : o'o0i>
w" ","l nluE' IL t,,i..
'''' i''', 10, ~. i,,,,, r,n,t d..
n"'"u'E "U''I 'l nus ""I ~ ,.I,.nt-
fI'u'"' ain ~ +"HS ~" n 5.;r,i,,.,
SMOKE IN / Ei'''' ''fI,''' "'''
SLOWLY I" IN" a"ntnea"t. ,,,;
Sp'aIIng personally Oh HES FNic"''''''
l tO Mont pplcn Prof. Hin said.
INV attrmpt Ia examine the crater Of
/ Mont rnIo" hl4 been futile. ! succeed
/ ,rI however. in getting very close t"
| Moruc Eoug" A. o'clock Monday
night | Witnessed from u uOint near
thc riiine w III Ni,,.,a J frirhtfUI cX-
rloeiop fron, Mani t,,Iee ana noted the
ACCOMPANYING phenomena. While those
eruptions conttnu" TO sane man should
attempt n ascent 10 the crater y IT
No'ca"o'
FOLLOWING me shVo* oi uct"iii'i",i'
from the I1ruutIil, giganuc Hiu'"-
II Ioom-snapcd r0lunnS of smoke ana
II ,indors assembled INTO the clear, starltt
sly ana mon snr,ad. Oh Il vast black
sheet. To- he south and directly over
NV head Through this sheet which
extended a distance of 10 miles from
II The crater, vivid and awful lightning
II like bolts flashed with alarming fire.
u mrrrv Tbnv followed distinct paths
of icriiior i,t y,era different from
uh.n; i, ~ .ha hollis x,err hori
II H'0' - 49, !. ,