The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-06-19

money after nearly emptying the flask
and we trudged on over the ashes, al
ready hardened into a solid mass by the
heavy rains. The path we followed, had
the appearance of cement Sidewalk OF
the old-fashioned type. But for the ma
tive. I should scarcely have been able
to have accomplished the perilous. with
al, somewhat easy ascent. He seemed
oblivious to fear and learned had lost
all that he cared for on earth in the
eruption Of two days before. This man
knew every 1nch OF ground as he had
been guide all mis- life his living hav-
ing been made by escorting visitors to
the island to the crater AS we went
along he occasionally scooped into the
ashes to find some sign by which to
recognize the trail Finally, after sew
eral hours Flooding we arrived within
sight Of the crater and although there
was nothing but the faintest haze of
smoke emerging from it I determined
to take a snap shot AS fixed my
camera for the operation a low rumb-
ling sound, which seemed to pass under
our feet. was heard, and a minute later
flame and smoke We're be1ched up by
the volcano. 1 had barely time to snap
the camera and fly. for I saw the dread
ed yellow smoke approaching US. How
we made our way back to MOrne Rouge
i cannot say. Terror seemed to lend
wings to our feet and when at last
left my companion behind and f w for
my boat it looked to me as if the yell
low demon all bat had me in his grasp
a feWsswift strokes with the oars and I
was out of danger. On the following
day, after a good rest up, returned to
Pierre in the morning and spent a busy
day taking pictures, but I had no fur
Their desire to risk my life a the crater,
especially as my one picture developed
an excellent view Of the volcano in q
state Of semi-eruption.
zone of the first pictures 7 took upon
my return was that Of the market place OF
St. Pierre To those who knew this scene
of constantly changing life and color be-
fore the cataelysm the dreadful desola-
ton OF that picture, showing not one
building standing discloses fearful con-
trast- It was the first taken
forget was the view of Rue Queylis one
of st. Pierre's leading streets, with a NUM-
Der of bodies lying on the foreground OF
the picture. showing exactly how the poor
victims Of Pelee's wrath had been struck
down The picture was taken before any
attempt had been made to clear up the
wreckage.
Another scene of degolation was shown
also was photographed before any clear
ing away had been done This was one
city where were located many of the most
important OFFICES.
"One of the most pathetic Of the views
was that showing some of the poor erea-
dreadful city in search of their beloved
Il think the most striking of all, per
haps as a human document was my snap
shot OF RaQui Sartout OF whom obtained
literally the first picture at a moment
when It was reared that ne could never
recover from the results Of his entomb-
ment- He was the sole survivor.
Another of the views that I secured was
when a panic resulted from another
threatened eruption of Mont Pelee and the
terrified Inhabitants were fleeing from the
town for their lives.
After the excitement subsidized in Mar
tinique I went to Kingston the stories If
fine fiavasta tion caused bv er11pfionss If
Mt SoufrieTe making me hasten thither-
If / had not experienced sufficient excite
uQanf in MlTtiniOHe I destined to get
it on St. Vincent When within measure
able distance of Soufriere I made a land
ing at one Of the villages. where I left my
boat and proceeded up the WallibOu Val
lev in the direction Of the volcano dis
triCt. I found that at least one-third of the
island had bee devastated and saw
great jets Of steam pouring through the
back country and up the mountain side
Here and there pun Of the sulphurOus
smoke was visible. managed to get
Il saw the great bank of cinders, 80 to
50 feet high. under which the village Of
There was not a sign Of the village left
merely an immense mound Of ashes In
= distance were the ruins of old Rich
mond manson me whole country was
gray and desolate and terrible contrast
to the green of the rest Of the island.
Above all the sullen roar of Soufriere,
like the noise of vast cataract, or the
sound of q huge blast furnace.
when we reached the Wallibou river
We found it all ehoked up with mud,
while great volumes of boiling water
clouds of steam. As we tried to reach the
shOresthe steam was squirting out of holes
some of which was not larger than ones
fist, while others We're as large as
mans body I put my hand over one and
it was singed by hot gas. AS we made for
the shore we did not know how soon the
shallow earth crust might break and drop
one of US through. Fortunately no catas-
/ trophe occurred and got home safely
with whole bones and the precious pic
lures.
Among the newspaper men who came
to Martinique and VINO / met before I left
were w. w. Mason. representing the Pub
! fishers Press. and G. 3. Fife represent
ing the New York Evening Post J. Bur
Lucky, Leslie's Magazine; J. Martin Mil