The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-11-27
VISITED BY RUIN.
QuesaltenangO Oyerw heImed by
Santa Maria Eruption.

San Francisco, Nov 27.-The volcano
of Santa Maria was in violent eruption
when the Pacific Mail steamer City of
Panama left there for this port nine
days ago.
The City of Panama arrived from
Panama and way ports today bringing
late news from the devastated regions
While the steamer lay at ChamporicO
the mountain far away was spouting
! ashes, smoke and pumice stone, the
fakes falling in showers all over the:
country.
The city of Quesaltenango, it is re-
ported, has been visited by ruin. It Is
located at the base of Santa Maria on
the eastern slope, and no fears have
heretofore been entertained for the
towns safety. All the damage reported
mas been on the western side, reaching
from the mountain to the seashore 80
miles away That the damage has ex-
tended across the mountain is evidence
OF the terrific activity of the volcano.
seaside, travelling either to Ocas or
Champorico, and from these ports pro-
ceeding south by steamer.
from officers of the City of Panama
II was learned that some of the planters
are of the opinion that the ashes may
be beneficial to the soil, and that tie
damage 10 the f1ncaS may be only tenn
pofary Volcanic matter. it is said, is
often good fertilizer, and the rain of
ashes may be a blessing in disguise
Absolute ruin stares many of them in
the Iaces and the livelihood of th0u-
SANDS or natives for many months 10
come mas been shut off by the destruc-
tive work Of the volcano. The work of
rehabitating the fincas will probably be
that Of other hands than the present
( owners Tor so great has been the dam
| age that the majority of planters MAY
never recover from their losses
NJ r Otis of New York was a passen-
ger on the City of Panama, having come
| through from New York Mr. Otis gives
] f0r1 Of h. =
land and sea in neighborhood ofthe spout-
ing mountain LAS far the eye can
reach from Champerico." said he. there
is nothing to be seen but ashes and
pumice stone. West for miles through a
sea of ashes. From the sea to Santa
Maria the country looked if visited by
a snowstorm and the mountain itself
looked like j huge boiling caliron At
smoke and ashes. At times the discharge
would be carried up a short distance into
the air and then would spread out like an
umbrella and fall to the earth covering
trees. bushes and hills with a white
shroud
AT other times the discharge would
seem to leap high into the air as il pro-
PEELED by some giant force. Each ex-
plosion was accompanied by shock that
could be felt all the way to Champerico
Earthquakes were frequent and the peo-
pie felt that their country rests on a
very uncertain foundation. The people in
| Champerico seem unable to form any
estimate of the number of lives lost but
they all agree that the work of devasta-
! tion far as the coffee plantations are
concerned is complete Without having
familiar knowledge of the country 1
should say this statement was not at all
! exaggerated"
FIFTH TIME FOR LA SOUFRIERRE
| Kingson. St. Vincent. Nov. PA violent
eruption of La Soufrierre's fifth big out
burst since the catastrophe of May Z
took place today Georgetown and the
village of Chateau Belair. situated on the
west coast of St Vincent, were again
evacuated by their inhabitants Tele-
phone communication in those districts is
interrupted owing to fierce lightning. Sub
teranean rumblings can be heard and
volcanic clouds are seen from this city
The crater had been smoking constantly
since the terrific eruption of October 16.