Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-05-15
VOLCANO CALAMITY.
The Disaster 1t St. Pierre Sur.
passes All Imagination.
The HILLS COVERED WITH REFUGEES

The Corpses Heaped In the Ruins Fright
fully Mutilstsd-M Many Persons Drowned
British Vessels succor,ng the Dis
tressed-Grest Tsnsionsin indies.
Paris, May 1.-THE Temps yester.
day, referring to the destruction at
st. Pierre, says: I'VE believe, from
the information received here from
the island OF Martinique (meaning,
doubtless, the official dispatches)
that the disaster surpasses all that
imagination can conceive. The whole
northeastern portion Of the island 10
laid waste. Three large commune.
ties, exclusive Of St. Pierre, have
been destroyed"
A dispatch received here yesterday
from Fort de France, Martinique,
says; "All the hills surrounding Le
Csrbet and L. Precheur (near St.
PIERCE are covered with refugees to
the number Of about 5000, who are
being taken away gradually. In the
meanwhile provisions are being con.
veyed to them. OF the 30 persons
who were originally rescued by the
French cruiser Suchet tho majority
were fearfully burned and nine died
while on their way to the hospital.
The corpses which are heaped In the
ruins Of st. Pierre are not only COM
pletely naked, but are frighttully
mutilated."
The minister Of marine, M. Do
Lanessan, yesterday received cable
dispatch from the commander Of the
French cruiser Suchet, date Fort do
France, Martinique, saying that he
conducted search at St. Pierre Sat-
urday. The captain reports that the
town is now mere heap of smoking
ruins, under which the victims Of the
catastrophe are buried. The Suchet
was able to convey some Of the In
habitants Of lie Precheur to Fort do
France, but could not reach the |
northernmost part Of the island on |
account Of the dense rain Of ashes.
The captain Of the Suchet further
reported that the Mont Pelee vol.
sano still had threatening aspect
Subterranean roarings were still
heard, flashes Of fame frequently
belched from the volcano and stones
we're thrown out with immense force.
Many Persons Drowned.
st. Thomas, D. W. l., May 12.-Ad-
'ices received here from the island
If Dominica yesterday say that boats
thriving there report that many per-
IONS were drowned while crossing
% Dominica from the island of Mar
Unique, where some of the out par
shes have been inundated. The erup-
ion of Mont Pelee (Martinique) con-
innes. The lava is progressing
lorthward. The whole northern
'egion is now a rocky waste, de-
luded of vegetation.
Reports from the island of st. Vim
ent say that up to the afternoon of
friday last over 200 deaths had oc-
urred there, owing to the volcanic
outbreak in that island. Definite
ews, however, is lacking. Many es-
ates were destroyed and steam and
shes were belchcd forth from seven !
1 the morning until $3.50 at night.
he eruption Is now invisible at
.ingston. Huge dust clouds were
Town eastward. Great distress pre-
ais at st. Vincent, where there are i
lany injured persons. 1t is believed 4
nat about 500 persons have lost their
YES at st. Vincent. The majority Of I
lie corpses are still unburied. 7
The British royal mail steamer 6
olent has gone from Barbados to h
artinique with supplies and doctors. :,
rom the island of Trinidad the Brit .
h royal mail steamer Kennett has 1,
me to Fort de France. The British a.
cond-class cruiser Indefatigabie is 4
l her way from Trinidad to st. Vim ,
mt with stores for the relief of the =
fferers there. i
II b reported here that Fort de
'ance (Martinique) is threatened. :,
'eat tension prevails everywhere 81
roughout the West Indies. -
destroyed In the Twinkling Of an Eye. "
May IA dispatch to the :,
mes from st. Thomas, D. W. L, =,
Us that St. Pierre was destroyed in -
e twlnkling of an eye and that not -,
Of the inhabitants Of the city es- :"
ped. Some Of the outlying par as
les Of the island of Martinique ~
We been inundated. The whole v.
rthern portion of the island is r
rning. 1t has been denuded of veg =.
alton and is a rocky wilderness. A.
s..sntlsts to GO 70 martinique.