Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1902-09-06
TOTAL DESTRUCTION
MARTINIQUE'S FATE
Island May Eventually Be
EnGulfed by Sea.
PEOPLE IN STATE OF TERROR.

Eruption of Mont Pelee Aug. 81 RAJ
More Violent Than Any Of tho EarlI
er ExplosiOns-Burnins chasm
Widening.
New York, Sept Sit is generally
believed that the island OF Marti
nique is doomed to total destruction,
and the fear is that when the catas'
trophe comes. Gaudeloupe will be Wis.
tied by an all destructive tidal wave,
cables the Point-a Pitre, Guadeloupe,
correspondent of The Herald, Bust'
ness is absolutely at a standstill.
Few shops are open, and If 1t were
not for the efforts of small mum
Der Of more valiant souls, hundreds
would starve to death here because
of their fear of a more terrible death.
Details that have been received dur.
ing the last two days prove that the
eruption of Mont Pelee of Aug. 30 was
far more violent than any Of the
earlier explosions
Pelee's Crater ls Enormous.
As the eruptions continue, the
mouth of Mont Pelee grows in size
1t is now of enormous proportions.
Morne Racroix, one Of the peaks that
reared skyward from the side of Pc
lee has fallen bodily into the crater
and has been completely swallowed,
There seems to be a side pressure in
the crater and the burning chasm
widens perceptibly every day.
Clouds no more hang about the
crest Of Mont Pelee The terrific
heat seems to drive everything away.
The column of fame and smoke rears
directly into the heavens 30 that its
tep is lost to sight In the darkness
Of the night 1t has the appearance Of
stream of molten iron, standing dxed
between heaven and earth.
From Morne Capote the relief troops
We're compelled to make a quick re-
treat, although they succeeded in talk
ing out few wounded. The entire
country, nearly to Fort dc France, is
buried under a deep cover of ashes.
This has made it almost impossible
to find the bodies of those who have
perished while fleeing to the sea
coast
Earth Shook With Great Violence.
Constantine Cara one of the few
who succeeded in escaping from Morne
Rouge after the explosion, found refuge
on the steamer Esk. She was with
II others in her house when Pelee
gave its first warning of the disaster
which it was about to pour upon the
village. She said that the first sx-
plosjon destroyed many houses. she
was hurled with great force against
the wall of the room in which she was
sitting. On recovering from the shock
she ran outside. and there saw three
separate tongues of fire sweeping down
from the mouth of the volcano. The
earth shook with so great violence
that she could not retain her feet. She
was blinded by the glare of the flames,
The heat was so terrific that her flesh
was blistered. She awaited the death
which she believed was inevitable
Fortunately, the fire swept a little
to one side of her and she was saved
Scores Of Persons Drowned.
At Grande Anse the tide swept 800
feet In shore, destroying many houses
and drowning scores of inhabitants.
Even at Fort de France the most
stout hearts have lost courage.
Colonel Lecoeur has reportsG to his
government that it is his opinion the
entire island of Martinique will have
to be abandoned. He asks for as
sistanoe in transporting the inhabi-
tants to the other islands Of the West
Indian group