The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-05-12
persons were killed by lightning while
trying to escape.
PILES OF DEAD

Pieszss1say Us a Castries, St Lucia, dis
-l,stch to the Herald 1t was not ex-
pected that survivors would be found
and so there has been no disappoint
ment at the mournful reports that have
been returned
Piles OF dead in the vicinity of the
site of the cathedral tell the story of
the attempt to find sanctuary and refuge
in the great structure of worship. Men
and women, panic-stricken at the cata-
clysm, turned IN the moment of their
despair TO the cathedral ard We're ap-
parently overcome before they could
reach its doors.
So far the search has been hindered
by the ures that are still raging, ana
the Investigators are in great danger.
From the positions of the bodies the
opinion is formed that many were over
extent of the peril Many of the bodies
are in hfe-like positions, as though
death had come with breath as indeed
may have been the case
Steps have been taken to prevent
disease from resulting from the dis
aster Burial parties are working night
and day, but it is impossible that the
dead can be cared for as their friends
would wish.
Military rule is established in tne
town to prevent vandals from working
Such property as has not been destroyed
viii be protected. One of the great
nisfortunes arises from the fact that
the storehouses of provisions have been
swept out of existence
A NEW TERROR
New York, May 12.-This city is in
mourning, says a St. Thomas dispatch
to the Tribune. Flags are at half mast
for the many relatives of the inhabit-
ants who were lost at St Pierre A
subscription list has been opened for
the benefit of the widows and orphans.
The provisions at Fort de France are
under guard; the negroes are demand
ing food and terror reigns.
Keen interest is being taken in the
West Indian volcanic disturbances by
the faculty of Columbia university Sew
eral scientific expeditions to the Island
OF Martinique probably win be started
within a few days but it is likely that
the only organization in this city to IN
cur the expense is the American Mus
cum of Natural History.
A melancholy fact in connection with
the death in the fiery outburst at St
Pierre Of Customs Director de Surgys
whose sister. Mrs Charles van Romandt
resides here is that Captain de SurHys,
or the French navy, is due in New
York shortly on the battleship GaulOis
which is bearing to the United States
the French commission which will a t
tend. at Washington, the unveiIng OF
the Rochan beau monument Captain
de Surgys sailed from the other side be-
fore the news of the disaster arrived.
DISASTER is COMPLETE.
Washington, May 12-Secretary Hay
has received the following cablegram,
dated May IL, from United States Con-
SUI Ayme at Guadeloupe who went to
Fort de France, Martinique by instruc-
tions from the government:
The disaster is complete The city
wiped out Consul Prentis and his fam
lily are dead. Governor saws 10000 have
perIshed, $4,000 are homeless and hung
~. He suggests that the Red Cross be
asked to send Goldfish, flour, beans, rice,
salt meats and biscuit as quickly as
possible. Visits of WarshiDs valuable
The navy department this morning
was infromed of the departure of the
cruiser Cincinnati from San Domingo
City for Martinique.
An important feature of Consul
Ayme's cablegram is the reference by
MIN to the governor as an authority for
the estimate of the loss of life. Preced-
ing dispatches, including the official
messages received at the French col
onial Office in Paris, reported that there
was no doubt that Governor Moutelle
as well as the military commander at
St. Pierre, had perished.
NOT a SOUL FOUND ALIVE.
New York May Unsuccessful at
Jempts have been made to reach St.
Pierre, says a London dispatch to the
Tribune. Cabling from St. Lucia, the
correspondent of the Daily Mail says
the town is a heaD of ruins and dead
bodies are lying all around. Few ever
win be recognized, so great are the mu-
tilatiOn and distortion.
Search parties have found 900 charr-
ed corpses on the site of the cathedral
All appear to have been asphyxiated at
first Not a soul was found alive in the
whole town.
Describing the destruction Of the ISL
and city, the correspondent says that
last Monday Mont Pelee poured forth
stream of molten lava 20 feet high and
half a mile wide. Its progress was ap-
palling. Rushing down the dry bed of
RlViere Blanche, it reached the sea. The
force of the impact was such that the
.
the western coast Loud detonations fol-
lowed at short irregular intervals, absO-
lutely aWe-inspiring and 50 loud that
they We're heard 300 miles away At
night the volcano crater was a mass of
lurid flames, which shot high up over
the mountain, while all the time the
cannonading went on. It continued at
intervals on Tuesday and Wednesday,
On Thursday morning it was relatively
still. st Pierre was. as usual, early
astir and business was partly going on
about o'clock when a sort of Whirl-
wind of steam, boiling mud and fire
/ suddenly swept with incredible rapidity
/ over the city and rOadstead. At once
the town was in blaze. The fire seem
ed to run over all. The ships were in
/ stantly canted over and began simul-
( taneously to burn and sink in the sea
/ which was then q raging cauldron. The
/ whole destruction had taken place with
! in less than 20 minutes of eruption.
POPE EXPRESSES SORROW.
Rome, May 12.-The pope today sum
moned the French ambassador to the
Vatican, NJ. Nisard and expressed to
him his keen sorrow on bearing of the
/ st. Pierre disaster The pontiff request
ed to be Informed regarding the details
I of the volcanic outbreak
KAISER SENDS MONEY.
Wiesbanden, Province of Hesse-Nas-
sau, Germany May 12.-Emper0r Will
liam has telegraphed to President Lou
bet. in French as follows:
Profoundly moved by the news of
| the terrible catastrophe which has just
overtaken St Pierre, and which has cost
the lives of nearly as many persons as
perished at Pompei. I hasten to offer
! France my most sincere syn pathy. May
[ the Almighty comfort the hearts of
/ those who weep for their irrepara bic
| losses. My ambassador will remit to
your excellency the sum of 10000 marks
In my behalf, as a contribution for the
- u. 81 = q.