The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-05-14

Fort de France, May 13,-Strange 10 re-
late In view of the number OF inhabitants
of st. Pierre who were swept to death by
the volcanic waves from Mont Peee on
Thursday last very few corpses have been
found by those who are engaged IN the
work of cremnting the dead bodies This
is due to the fact that the most popuous
quarters Of the town arc buried under
thick layer of cindered lava watch appar-
emily entirely consumed the bodies OF the
victims.
The Danish cruiser Nalkyrea, having
done everything possible In the efforts be-
ing made to succor the refugees, left this
port today. The German cruiser Fake has
just arrived here. Public Interest centers
in the stroies of the survivors, and In the
efforts being made to succor the refugees.
a woman named Laurent, who was EN-
ployed as servant in the household Of NJ
Gabriel, and who was among those taken
to the hospital In this city, in describing
her experiences, said that on the day Of
the terrible disaster she heard report
and thereupon fainted. When she reganed
her senses a few hours later she was nor.
rlbiy burned, and glancing around she says
she saw two members OF the Gabriel fam
lily still alive. but thsy died before assist
ance could reach them.
Nine. Laurent, although she lived %A
some time after being taken to the hospital,
and was conscious. white under the care Of
the physicians. died without being able to
mpart any additional information concern.
| ing the catastrophe.
The work of succoring the refugees con
tinued incessantly. When the cable re-
pair ship Pouyer Quertie,, Captain rhirion,
Estarted on her mission of mercy she had
to pass through clouds Of burning cnders
at the risk OF catching fre, In order to
reach the terrou.stricken people ashore. But
as already announced she succeeded In
bringing to this port 4o6 people, mainly
| former residents Of the village Of lie
| Precheur. This was on saturday last Since
then the steamer, as the result Of other
daring trips has succeeded in bringing
many other persons to Fort De France
On Sunday she rescued 923 persons and
plotted the French cruiser suchet and tn,
Danish cruiser Valkyrien, who took Oh
board 1900 persons.
The Pouycr Quertier has distributed Il
the sufferers large quantities Of biscuits
milk, wine and cheese. The specie founC
in the vaults Of the Bank of Martinique
at st. Pierre, amounting to 100000 francs
has been brought safely here.
The specie in the public treasury at st
Pierre is still buried under a layer o
lava about sixty-eight meters thick.
The path of the volcanic torrent whicl
swept over st. Pierre is marked out In
strange manner. The vicinity of the shor
where vessels were anchored was swept b
a whirlwlnd of volcanic gas, which ripped
tore and shattered everything In its pass
age, but left few traces Of cinders be
hind. On the other hand the fort, centc
and adjoining parts of st. Pierre, ar
buried under thick layer of cindors, whlc
consumed everything beneath 1t.
Business here is suspended. The peopl
of the city have assembled In the churche,
and the cathedras, where special service
are being held for the st. Pierre deaC
have been thronGed since daylight
La soufriere volcano, on st. Vincent wa
in full eruption on May 10. stream {
stone aud mud half mile wide was the
issuing from the volcano. Stones Nv
inches in diameter fell twelve miles ava!
Al Kingstown, the capital OF the islant
the ashes were two Inches deep. Seye
hundred were reported dead Suada!
May II. 1t is estimated that the total nun
Der of dead on ST. Vincent reaches 200
2 Most of the estates Of the island have bee
burned to ashes, aud 1t is authenticity n
ported that two earthquakes occurred Their
II is believed the submarine cables in 8
! Vincent have been broken by the disturb
ances. The present volcanic eruption on
Vincent is the hrst since 1872.
Governor Hunt Of Porto Rico has aske
: Louis H. Aymee the United States cons
at Guadeloupe, who is now here, what a
sistnncc he could render Governor Hunt
offer has been communicated to the go
5 eminent. which will gladly accept It.
The northern section OF the island Is d
+ populated