The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-03-27
NELSON VISITED
MOUNT PELEE
Manager of ar Company
Back from West Indies
DELIGHTFUL TRIP H A D
Official to Remain Here Sew
eral Days.
DELIGHTFUL TRIP H AID

y i. Nelson, general manager OF the
Wichita Street Car company. arrived in
the city yesterday. Mr. Nelson has made
tour of the West Indies since his last
visit 10 this city and reports a pleasant
and enjoyable trip.
Commodore" Nelson did not have very
much TO say regarding future improve
ments in the street car lines but said that
all promises would be fulfilled. 1t will
be remembered that sometime ago the
company figured on erecting a barn near
the power houses. This has been changed
and the company viii now proceed 10
build instead a shed, similar 10 steam
railway sheds.
The street car service will be kept up
10 its present standard and. from time to
time. as business demands 1t. there will
be additional improvements made. Mr..
Nelson said that several of the cars now
In operation in Wichita are Of the most
perfect models He added that Wichita
has reason 10 feel highly elated over the
fact that it has a street car service which
is as complete as that in any city in the
west.
In speaking of his visit TO the South Sea
Islands Mr. Nelson said that he and
party had a fine time. They were in the
following islands and countries while
gone: Cuba. Nassau. Venezula. Trini-
dad. Curacao. Barbados. Martinique. St
Thomas. and Porto Rica Throughout the
trip the temperature was never lower
than so degrees and the party was COM
PEELED TO wear the very lightest clothing
that they could procure which consisted
of linen suits. Besides having TO wear
light apparel it was necessary 10 open all
the portfolios and keep an electric fan in
motion continually. Regardless of the
hot weather things were made reasonably
congenial for the travellers.
At Martinique the party viewed the
ruins Of St. Pierre. which city was the
victim Of the treacherous Mount Pelee in
It's late eruption.
This, according to Mr.. Nelson. was one
of the most terrible and at the same time
astounding scenes looked upon during the
voyage In st. Pierre there are many
fine structures. The city was COM
mercial center with a population of
something like 10000. Now it is in
state Of decay and demolition occasioncd
from the results of the fiery Mount Pelee.
The builds are half their height sur
rounded by lava which also flowed into
them filling them nearly 70 the ceilings.
Mr. Nelson said that it is a shame that
such beautiful city should have been
destroyed, for it was so well located that
it was destined to grow into a still lar
ger port of commerce
Lava. Mr.. Nelson. describes as being OF
a grey color and compares with sand in
this country. During the time that the
party was at Martinique the furious vol
cano continued TO smoke and throw forth
its black streams OF lava The sight is
one that brings cold sensations and makes
one feel that ct any time there may be
another destructive eruption such as the
one that was so ruinous 10 ST. Pierre.
At the other islands and countries
which the party visited there were also
many scenes of interest. Said Mr.. Mel
son. ITO attempt to tell all the extra
ordinary things on our trip to the West
Indies would require sometime. I saw
great deal and learned many things that
never before even so much as dreamed
Of I had been planning for years 10
see that part Of the world and now that
II IS over with. I feel that 1 shall never
regret the cost Of the visit"
Mr.. Nelson said last night that he ex-
pected 10 remain in the city until the mid
die Of the coming week at least There
are several business matters which he IS
compelled TO see after befOfe returning
to his home in TT Wayne. Indiana lie
will make an inspection tour throughout
the city to look over the property and In
teres;s Of the company. At present there
is nothing TO give oct concerning further
improvements ard when the directors
meet in the spring Il may develop chat
some definite innovations VIII be made
The date Of this meeting. Mr. Nelson has
not yet announced.