The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-06-07
BETTER MAIL FACILITIES.

BETTER MALL FAClLll1ES.
Efforts are being made by the business
men, of Lexington, to secure better mail
accommodations on the Valley Branch of
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. A
numerously signed petition has been for
warded by Mr.. J. nAcD. Adair to Post
master-General Payne, asking that pos
tai clerk be put on the train reaching
Lexington at 9:45 in the morning and
leaving at 11:40. This train now carries
no way mail between Lexington and
Stanton. We have at present but one
mail a day each way at intermediate
points.
The local option offender has hard road
to travel in Lexington. Mayor Pierson
is now giving them the benefit of an
amendment to the liquop law, which pro-
hibits. under severe penalty, the pro-
curing or giving of liquors to minors
Several negroes have fallen under this
law
LETTER FROM MONT PELEE
The following letter has been received
by Colonel Tucker Of the Virginia Mill,
tary Institute, from Lieutenant "A. Mo-
reno. of Porto Rico, a graduate of the
Y. NJ. T., in the class 1899. He is a native
of Central America. Derbyshire, referred
to in the letter, is George "A. Derbyshire,
of Richmond, Va, who graduated also
from the v NJ. l.. in 1899. They both en-
tered United OldleS al NY 11SS "thiA0
uary: as Second Lieutenants.
Port Of San Juan. Porto Rico.
May %. 1902.
Colonel n. B. Tucker, Lexington, Va
Dear Colonel,-I know you will be some
what surprised to hear from 9me, but
knowing the interest you take in Geologi-
cal matters, thought would send you
some of the volcanic dust l picked up IN
St Pierre. -Four days after the terrible
explosion which took place in Martinique.
I sailed from San Juan with army relief
supplies, having been detailed as assis-.
tant to the chief quarternaster for the
special occa sion. Words cannot express the
horrible state of affairs we found in the
northern part of the. island. where Mont
Pelee is situated: ST Rle1re ana IRE
chand, a small village north of the above
CITY, were a complete mass of ruins. and
all the surrounding country was covered
up with volcanic dust. We proceeded to
Fort de France, where we anchored. re-
naming in the harbor about week. |
was present at the eruptions that took
place last Monday and Tuesday, and
don't think I will ever forget what oc-
curl ed on Tuesday morning.
ALL SEEMED DOOMED.
For awhile I thought was doomed to
perish like the inhabitants of ST. Pierre.
shall briefly relate what occurred on that
morning. We all slept on deck on &C
count of the acCOmmoCta tons OelnS SO
lad on beard of the collier Sterling.
At about half past o'clock in the morn
Ing we were surrounded by cold wave.
I wrapped myself in blanket, but L
still felt very cold. Shortly after this.
we saw volcanic cloud rising from the
mountain, and which was coming To-
wards Fort de France. which is about
twelve miles from the crater. This vol
canic cloud was rolling slowly and 1t
looked like a mass of fire, owing TO the
sunrise When this cloud was right over
our heads the heat was intense, ana we
detected a Very strong odor or gases.
After it's passage. we were wrapped IN
a shower of volcanic pebbles and dust.
which of course made it very uncomfor-.
table. When the people of the city saw
this cloud, they just went wild running
around the streets and trying to board
some of the larger vessels III the harpor.
From description given me by one or
the survivors of the steamer Rofamla,
this cloud was identically the same as the
ore that destroyed ST. Pierre. From the po-
sitions of the bodies. | came TO the con-
cl,;sion that all were asphixiated by some
gas, as a good many people had nan
kerchiefs to their noses. which were not
ever, scorched. In a few words 1t was
the most horrible sight have ever wit
messed.
Roth Derbyshire and myself are very
we'll pleased with our statlon. we are
beth at headquarters. and nave received
orr promotions as First Lleutenants.
Witt! best regards to General Shlpp and
all the faculty, in which am Joined Dy
Derbyshire.