Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-06-05
Prophecies Of Mont Pelee

! i
In his book on the West Indies, Laf-
cadio Hearne describes Mont Pelee as
! fellows.
'Pelce is no; remarkable in altitude.
being but $500 feet, but in bulk Pelee
is grandiose. Nearly thirty rivers have
birth in its TANKS besides many Their
nal springs, variously mineralized. AS
The eliminating point of the island, Pc
lee is also ruler of its meteorologic life
cloud herder, lightning forger and
rain maker. Is the great volcano
dead? Nobody knows. Less than forty
years ago ii rained ashes all over the
roofs of St Pierre, within twenty years
it has uttered mutterings, for the mo-
ment it appears TO sleep, and clouds
Rave dripped into the cup of its highest
crater till it has become a lake several
hundred yards in circumference. There
are other Craters dangerous to visit be-
cause of opening on the side of ire
mendous gorge, and it was one of these,
La Souffriere that rained ashes over
the city in 1851"
With what terrible emphasis has that
questions the volcano dead?-been
answered.! The answer demonstrates
that slumber does not always mean
death in the case of these dreadful
mountains. Pelee teaches us that the
classification of volcanoes into active
and extinct is not safe guide for peo-
pie seeking a locality in which to build
up homes.
The story of Mont Pelee is not a new
one. Ever since the dawn of history,
communities have from time to time
been swallowed up by volcanic erup-
tons But mankind has gone right
along building cities on the slopes and
at the feet of these destructive demons.
In the case of Pelee, it has been only
fifty years since it belched forth ashes
and mutterings. and yet during that
period, the people living under the
shadow of it's peaks. rested in a feeling
of security. They went about their
usual tasks without giving thought
to the frightful possibilities that hung
over them. In the valley and high up
on the slopes of the mountain men lived
and toiled, all unrnindful of the danger
and unconcerned for their safety. In
different to the lessons of history, they
stayed until the fateful moment come.
The news that the inhabitants of
Mezaltenango are preparing to rebuild
their city causes no surprise Doubtless
until the end of time people will con-
tinue to build and rebuild in the vicin..
ity of earthquakes and volcanoes. Such
defiance of the gods is more amazing
in that nature offers to the race so
great an abundance of unoccupied
ground that is beyond the reach of
these destructive forces.
Apropos to this subject, there comes
to mind an article written ten years
ago by Joseph Rhodes Buchanan. In
the June Arena for 1890 Mr.. Bucha nan,
in an article entitled The Coming
Great Cataclysm," predicted the greet
upheavals that would occur in the
psychical and physical world during the
twenty years following his writing. i. e.
covering the period between 1890 ana
1910. The author being prominent
English writer and educator the article
made profound impression at the
time.
We do not recall the article In full.
but few Of the disasters predicte
that have since occurred, including the
cyclone at st. Louis, the tidal wave at
Galveston and the recent catastrophe
in the West Indies, stand out distinctly
in memory. He predicted the general
activity of volcanoes at the present
time, placing the chief seat of disturb
ance among the islands of the Carrib-
can. According to Mr.. B. the recent
disasters there are only the beginning
of a cataclysm that will sweep round
the globe. Volcanic action in different
localities far removed from each other
will cause tidal waves. resulting in the
destruction of many large cities on the
Pacific and Atlantic coasts The recent
slight disturbance felt at ST. Augustine
recalls Mr.. Buchanan's prediction that
the oldest city in the United States is
to be wholly submerged ;also Baltimore
and part of Philadelphia. The prophet
even ventured to foresee just what
portions of Philadelphia would remain
above water, the city hall being one OF
them.
We do not mention the above article |
for the purpose of frightening folks
but it might prove wise scheme for |
the population to abandon those DOOM |
ed cities and remove to Iowa, where
the weather, tho it may occasionally in
dulge in an artistic cyclone, yet guar
antees absolute immunity from de-
volcanoes and tidal waves.
THE BLOOMING OF THE ROSE.
What is it like to be rose?