The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-05-17
DESTRUCTION
ON ST. VINCENT
5000 Persons Will Soon
Be Destitute.
1900 BODIES INFERRED
Number of Dead C0nServa-
lively Placed at LOO.
Eyewitnesses Tell Of the Eruption of
Mont Pelee and the Demolition
Of St. Pierre-A Marvel
Gus Escape.
1900 BODIES INFERRED

I Kingston, Island OF st. Vincent, Thurs
day, May 15.-(Afternoon.)-A correspon-
dent of the Associated Press has just
returned here from visit, on horseback
to the devastated district of the island,
during which he travelled fifty miles and
penetrated to within five miles of the
Scufriere crater.
The ash-covered area of st. Vincent ex-
ceeds that of Martinique which the cor
respondent has also explored. The most
conservative estimate of the death rate
he now places the number at loo.
About 1890 bodies have air eady been in
TERED.
The entire northern part Of the island
is covered with ashes to an average depth
of is inches, varying from thin layer
at Kingston to two feet or more at
Georgetown.
The crops are ruined, nothing green can
be seen. the streets of Georgetown are
numbered with heaps of ashes, resemb-
on the roofs that in several cases they
have caused them to fall in.
Will Be 5000 Destitute.
There will soon be 5000 destitute per-
sons in need of assistance from the gov
eminent which is already doing every
thing possible to relieve the sufferers,
There are a hundred injured people in the
hospital at Georgetown. Gangs of men
are searching for the dead or rapidly
burning them in trenches and all that
can be done under the circumstances Is
being accomplished
The British cruiser interchangeable
brought twenty-five tons of supplies here
and returned to the island of Trinidad
today for more. The governor of the
Windward Islands. Sir Robert Lleyellyn,
Is here, supervising the work of the au-
thorities.
While the outbreak of the volcano on
the island of Martinique killed more peo-
pie outright. more territory has been
ruined in st. Vicent, hence there Is
greater restitution here.
The injured people were horribly burn
ed by the hot grit which was driven along
with tremendous Velocity. Twenty-siX
persons who sought refuge in room ten
feet by twelve were all killed.
One person was Drained with huge
stone nine miles from the crater.
Rough collins are being made to receive
the remains of the victims. The hospital
here is filled with dying people. Fifty
injured persons are lying on the hoor oil
that building, as there are no beds for
their accommodation, though cots are ne-
ing rapidly constructed of boards. This
and similar work has been in progress
since Immediately after the disaster. Two
days elapsed, however, before there were
any burials. as the negroes refused to
dig the necessary trenches. though they
were offered three times the usual wages
by the local authorities The nurses en-
ployed are incompetent. but they arc
willing to learn and are working hard
The negroes are indifferent to all that Is
transpiring and to what has taken place
They expect to receive government
rations. but there have been instances
where they have refused to bury theii
own relatives.
Part of Island Sinks.
1t is estimated that the sea has en-
croached from ten feet to two miles along
the coast near Georgetown. and that q
section on the north of the island has
dropped into the sea. This is apparent
ly certified by the report of the French
cableship Pouyer-Quertier that sounding:
now show seven fathoms where before
the outbreak there was 36 fathoms Of
water.
Lieutenant Benjamin Mccormick, com.
handing the United States steamer Poto,
mac. now In these waters, has called or
iC;overnor Llewellyn and offered him tn,
'svmpathy of the United States and any
assistance which 1t was in his power tc
render. The Potomac has also LANDED
what she can spare OF her food stuns
The government expressed thanks anC
added that there was no immediate neee
of help The Potomac carried omcla
disnatches to the island of St. Lucia.
Since midnight Tuesday the suoterra
mean detonations here have ceased ant
the Soufriere on Wednesday relapsed
apparently into perfect repose no SMOKE
rising from the crater and the hssure'
emitting no vapor. The stunted Vegeta
ton that formerly adorned the slopes o.
the mountain has disappeared, having
given place to gray colored lava. Whic'
greets the eye on every side. The al
mosphere is dry, but somewhat agitated
Rain would be welcome.
The inhabitants (meaning the Whit
population as a rule natul ally are anx
ious to know whether the repose of thu
volcano is permanent or whether 1t Is TN
lull, which usually proceeds greater par
oxvsmal activity. Some people. antici
pating that there is danger of further vol
canic erupdons, are leaving the outlying
towns for this city. The negroes wit
have remained on the estates are half
starved and the Carib survivors are leaV
ing their caves and pillaging abandonet
dwelling houses and shops. number o
arrests have been made in this connec
ton.
Development Scheme Hurt.
Much Importance is attached locally t.
the loss which the colony has sustained
In the injury to the peasant property,
scheme for the development of which wal
lately inauguIated by the imperial gov
eminent The Potomac leaves here to
morrow morning for st. Pierre. Martin
ioue. She will return here the following
day and then go TO Fort de France.
Colonel Ayme, the United States Consu
at Guadalupe, who is on the Unitet
States cruiser Cincinnati. recently at ST
Lucia. Is going to St. Pierre Friday in or
der 10 recover, the archives of the Cnite'
States British consulates and to find
if possible. the bodies of the United States
Consul, Mr.. Prentiss. Mrs. Prentiss ans