Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1902-05-17
A CITY OF OPEN HORRORS
GhouIs Robbing the Dead in the
Ruins of St. Pierre.
CORRESPONDENT ON SCENE
And Cables His Story to This Country
Mount Pelee Still Active, Compelling
the u. S. Tug Potomac to Keep
OFF Shore.

the U. S. Tug Potomac to Keep
off Shore.
A cablegram from Fort de France
brings the first story of special cor
respondent, who has reached the scene
of destruction at St. Pierre. He re-
manned there "a hours.
The awful sights and hardshins en-
countered on every side were aim ost
too much for human n allure to en-
dure. Every moment it was feared
that Mount Piece would again pour
death deal ing showers upon the CITY.
The hinge volcano throws out lava IN
streams, which flow down its sides.
changing the surface of the islands
northern end every hour.
A watch is constantly maintained
to give warning to .he rescuers
Waves of heat are breathed out by
the crater making work among the
ruins most I'm possible.
A striking impression on arriving
at st Pierre. is. the comDaratlvely
small number of bodies left; many
are brrled under the ruins and capnnt
be- cremated or buried. Dang er of
pestiience is imminent.
The footing of the dead at st Pierre
has begun.
The first relief supplies from the
United States have reached Martin
que. The tug Potomac has arrived
there fiom San Juan. carving ton
of food. chiefly -four and Goldfish She
went to ST.. Pierre and Fort de France
and left last night for st Vincept.
whore the eruption of Mount Sou
frlere threatens calamity almost
as bad as Martinques
Estimates OF the number of dead in
St. yidcent now vary from 1000 70
2, 600. A stream of stone and mEd is
sue from the crater
Famine is imminent in both Mar
tlnque and St. Vincent. and Ameri-
can help will save thousands Of lives.
Food is needed immediately for 100,
COO persons.
The munificent and prompt charity
of the United States IN the face of
the calamity is creating wide
spread comment in Europe. Presi-
dent Roosevelt has appointed a
committee. of which Mr.. james A.
tiarv is the Baltimore member and
MIR. CHARTS q. Glover the member
from Washington, 70 receive private
contributions in the principal cities.
The Senate passed bill, on which
the house IL expscted TO act today.
raising the total appropriation from
200, 900 to $500, 600 and taking st.
Vincent as we'll as Martinique into
the scope of the relief work
An immense quantity supplies
is heing collected at New York, and
the first cargo Will start today on
the training ship Dixie.
TRYING TO BURY THE DEAD
At ST Pierre small detachment
of French troops is making efforts tn
inter the Gead, although tie Govern
ment seems to be striking unconcern-
ed a. to what Is done In this direc-
ton. The soldiers report that ship
load of lime is urgently needed. as
the stencil from the unburied corDses,
is unbearable, despite the fact that
the great majority of the ponnlationN
was completely cremated
VOLCANO STILL ACTIVE.
Mt. Pelee was still emitting smoke
and fire late last night. The United
States tug Potomac. while cruising
near the coast, encountered, an inky
black column of smoke, which made
1T necessary for her to go five miles
out of her course.
When the cable repair ship Power
QuerlIer started ON Ter mission OF
mercv she had to pass rough clouds
of burning cinners. the risk of
catching fire. in order TO reach the
terror stricken people ashore. But
she sucee eded in brinpiuo to this port
ass people. mainly former residents
of the village Oh LepIecheur This |
was on Saturday last. Since then. |
the steamer as the result of other dar-
ing trips, has succeeded IN bringing
many nthe- persons tn Fort deFrance. (
On SUNDAY she rescued 1928 nersons,
and plotted the French cruiser Suchet
and the Danish cruiser valkvrien, /
who took ON board 1850 persons The
Suchet hes saved 20tO persons. All
the survivors have been brought here.