The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-05-28
United States GeoIOgist Invest
igating Mont Pelee
Went Out Last Monday and
Failed to Return.
THE LATEST ERUPTION
May Have Made the Scientist
Its Victim.
Volcano is Quiet but It is
Thought Only Temporarily.

New York, May 2S.-A dispatch from
Fort de France to the Herald says:
Robert 7. Hill of the United States geo
logical survey, who left here for Mont
Pelee Monday afternoon, has not yet re-
turned, nor has he been heard from. He
planned to try the crater from Morne
Rouge
George KEENAN, the noted explorer, has
been absent in the north for few days
Mont Pelee, from which there an
other violent eruption on Monday, was
quiet again Tuesday night But the dis
patch adds the inhabitants of the island
are in a terrified state.
The Volcano is puzzling all the Scien-
lists, some of whom say the mountain has
thus far made only beginning.
MOrne Rouge was saved from deStruc-
ton last night only by a miracle, says
priest who was there. Two correspondents,
believing the volcano had, for time at
least. subsidized, planned an expedition to
the mountain for the purpose of securing
photographs. Several natives were en-
ployed as guides
After wearying march which took most
about halt past o clock IN the evening
The correspondents were welcomed by a
kindly -disposed priest, who gave such as
was IN ms possession lie INSISTED upon q
pause being made for refreshments and in
his humble home food was prepared 1t
was TINS generous courtesy OF the priest
that saved the expedition from destruc-
ton The original plan was that the visit
should be made to the crater as soon as
possible and a quick return be made to
Fort de France to avoid all danger.
While the evening meal was being pre-
pared the priest pointed out the work of
ruin that had been accomplished He said
he had refused to leave his post though
he was not at all certain MOrne Rouge
would not be swept from existence as was
st. Pierce. It was while he was talking
that the explosion came.
From their homes the inhabitants of the
village ran in a panic Some did not
wait TO see what was happening, but hur-
ried over the mountains in the direction
of Fort de France. Scores went into the
church and fell upon their knees.
The display Of lightning was terrific and
aWe-inspiring.
When the start was made on the re-
turn trip to Fort de France the guides and
servants We're gone The party had to ind
their way across the hills as best they
could. Behind, Mont Pelee continued to
belch fire, ashes and smoke The detona-
lions were of sufficient strength to make
the ground tremble. 1t seemed to the
weary travellers as II the mountain tops
sWayed above their heads
To add to the horror of the situation
they encountered every now and then
fer-de-lance, deadliest of all snakes Scat
tered specimens of these serpents of which
thousands have been killed by the erup-
lions, were seen amid the glare of the vol
canO and the flashes of lightning gliding
( over the rocks and hurrying away as II
they too, had learned that their mountain
home was no longer a safe place
On all sides were natives praying and
cursing in turn. Many, exhausted. fell by
the way and were unable to continue.
From MOrne Rouge to Fort de France
by the devious path that was Travelled was
almost 40 miles. The distance was covered
Later arrivals reported that Morne
Rouge had not been destroyed as the force
of the explosion was eXerted in the direc-
/ ton of the sea