davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
BUILDING IN WHICH MOROCCO CONFERENCE MEETS.
KANSAS TREASURY SHORT
Accountant Morris Report TO Gov.
Iioch Indicates n shortage of
About S7S,OOO.

Topeka. Kas.. Jan lS A total short
age in the Kansas state treasury of
about $4,000 is shown by the report Of
Accountant Morris in the treasury eX-
animation just closed according to the
summary of the report prepared by
GOV. Z. w. Hoch. made public late
Tuesday afternoon. The report covers
all the transactions made by the state
treasury from January L. 1898, to June
90 1905 including the two full terms
Of former State Treasurer Frank
Grimes and one term and six moRhs
of the administration Of Thomas T.
Kelly. the present state treasurer. The
larger part of the shortage appears in
the accounts of the Office during the
Grimes administration, OF the total Of
$4,000, 100000 is due to missing cou-
pons from bonds owned by the state
school fund, and $4,000 due to the loss
Of interest on warrants issued by the
territory Of Oklahoma to the state Of
Kansas
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
EIGHTEEN PERSONS DEAD
NEARLY TWO SCORE OF OTHERS
WERE INJURED.
Fearful Results of an Alarm of Fire
In Negro Baptist Church
in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia, Jan. PA wild panic
following a loud Shrek of fire"
brought death TO IS colored persons
and injuries to nearly two score Of
others Sunday night in St. Paul's Bap-
list church on the west side Of Eighth
street between Poplar street and Gil
rard avenue. The terrible rush to gain
the streets was Of brief duration. and
that more were not killed in the stam-
pede was probably due to the fact that
the church was not crowded At the
time the disaster occurred not more
than 800 persons were on the second
floor of the building, which with the
gallery, was capable of accommodating
SOC to zoo The fire was trihing one,
and was extlngushed before the fire
men arrived. The smell Of smoke add
ed to the panic, and despite the heroic
work of Rev 4, W, Johnson, the pastor
Of the church who tried in vain to al
lay the fears Of the frightened worship
pers, the teror-suicken people made
desperate rush to leave the church
only TO be cholled up on the narrow
stairway Those in the rear leaped
over the PROSTATE forms Of those who
fell, and when the rush was over IS lay
dead on the first floor and stairs Of the
building Death in nearly every case
was due to suffocation or trampling
The terrific crush on the stairs lead
ing from the gallery became to great
that the baluster, which was only a
frail, wooden affair. gave way. There
was a terrific crush as half a hundred
persons were precipitated TO the floor
below
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27

Returning from the session Of the
Southern Cotton Association, which re-
quired travel to and from and three
days expense in New Orleans, the legi,-
lative committee reported an individual
expense account Of $ll-j each. There
was no contest, no talk Of scandal, no
inquiries as to whether any wine had
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
WILL DIE IN ALABAMA.
Gen. Joe Wheeler Denies That He
Will Move to New York.

Decatur, Ala, Jan, 23.-MaJ W. H.
FRANCIS Oh Decatur Is IN receipt OF the
loIIoWlhg Ietter from Gen Joe "heeicf'
washington d. o.
Dear MAJOR
1 thahK you lor your letter. Inc
arIicieS IN lhe Ne" J ork papers urg-
ing lnat l should be appointed the COM
missioner OF police IN that city, are en-
tlrely without my authority orsanctlon.
NOJllng cOulu nave induced me to nave
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
BLED THE -FOUR HUNDRED.
Graft of Col. Mann Amounted to
Nearly $2o0,Ooo.

New York, Jan. 90 Col. w. d.
Mann, editor of Town Topics, testified
at the Hapgood criminal libel trial to-
day that he had borrowed nearly two
hundred thousand dollars from J. +.
Morgan, James f. Keene, w. X. Van
derbilt, VIM. G. Whitney and other
prominent linanciers. Many of these
loans never We're repaid SO far as Col
Mann could recall and others were re-
paid in stock of Town Topics Company
at S 900 share.
The largest single loan was obtained
from James Il. Keene, who loaned'the
Town Topics editor 100000 From VIM
X. Vanderbilt Col Mann obtained S25,-
600: from j. =. Morgan $4,000: from
w. c. Whitney $4,000; from Coils p.
Huntington $4,000; John w. Gates 500
600: G. NJ Schwab 10000; Thomas +.
Ryan 10000
When Col. Mann said that many of
these loans were paid in Town Topics
stock at $1,000 share James w. Os-
borne, counsel for Mr., lIapgood, asked
if the par value of the stock is $40 per
share. Col, Mann replied that it was.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
THE MISSISSIPPI HAZING.
Victim Rolled in a Barrel Down Hill
and Then Beaten.


Natchcz, Miss, Jan. %. The grand
jury empdneled at the special term Of
the Adams circuit court is investigat-
ing the charge that Joseph Sitman, a
delicate lG-year-old cadet, who died
Saturday at the home Of his father, Dir.
{. W. Sitman, Greensburg, La, re-
ceiycd fatal injuries at the hands Of a
squad of hazers at jefferson Military
College in Washington, six miles from
Natchez.
DIR. d. c. Lee OF this county, who is
an uncle Of the boy, appeared before
the grand jury today and stated that
the boy 5 grandmotherh had written him
to the effect that Joseph had left the
college and was severely injured; that
he had been hazed by a crowd of cadets,
who had placed him in a barrel and
rolled him down steep hill. then laid
him across the barrel and battered him
with barrel stgVe,. His body was COW
cred with severe bruises.
\ later report of the death Of the
boy from these injuries was received
and the inquisitor5 summoned Prof, J..
b. Raymond, president Of the faculty,
to appear before the body this after
noon, Prof. Raymond could throw no
light on the subject
Members of the grand jury declare
they will summon every member OF the
faculty and student body before them
if neccssArY.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
SHOWED THEM NO MERCY
The strong Hand of the Law neal-
out Severe Justice to Chi
cagO Criminals.

Chicago Jan. 2O.-The law laid an
iron hand Friday on offenders of the
class who have terrorized Chicago re.
Gently by their armed holdups and at
tacks on women. In one case an octo-
genarian in spite Of the plea Of his at.
torneys that his life race was nearly
run, was sentenced to SO years in the
penitentiary. In another court three
youths under 10 were sentenced to pris-
on for life after having been convicted
Of an armed robbery. No mercy be-
cause Of his great age was shown Mich
oas Holland, when he was found guilty
of attacking a little girl, and although
Sc years old, he was given a sentence
that if be could live that long would
free him from prison at the age of 1856.
Peter Brady, Joseph Hase and Law
renee Roscoe convicted of eight rob-
berries. were the youths sentenced to the
penitentiary for life.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
A NEGRo'S TERRIBLE CRIME
Miss Florence w. Allison, Spinster,
Assaulted and Murdered BY Me-
gro Near Moorestown, N.J.

Moorestown, N. j., Jan. 19.-Miss
Florence W Allinson. about 35 years
Of age, who was living in the farm
house on the country seat Of Mrs. Z. r.
Srawbridge near here, was found dead
in the stable, Thursday, with a strap
fastened about her throat and her skull
crushed Beside the body lay the club
with which she had been killed. The
only other occupant of the house at the
time was Bessie Walker, a child six
years Of age, from whom it was learned
that tall negro had called at the house
few minutes after Miss Allinson had
gone to the stable to feed the COW. He
told the child TO 80 into the attic and
play and she did 50. Then he ransacked
the house. securing some iewelry and
money The negro then went to the
stable, and after asaaulting Miss Allin-
son killed her and made his escape.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
JOHN ]. MILLER ACQUITTED

The vote resulted: NJ Falliers, 4lG,
NJ. DOumer. 81.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
OVER HALF MILLION SHORT
Wreck of the Tennent Shoe Co. In
st. Louis Grows Worse this
Deeper II is PrObed.

st. Louis Jan. 2O.-Followng a
joint committee meeting Of credit
ors and stockholders of the Ten
nent Shoe Company, Friday, at
which the startling revelation of a
deficit Of s583,G between assets and
liabilities was made, a firm of expert
accountants was installed to ascertain
what became Of this half a million.
Legal proceedings will probably de-
pend on the findings.
a sorrowful phase of the concerns
methods was discovered in the fact
that old and confding employees had
been induced to subscribe 100000 to
common stock now said to be worth.
less.
The total liabilities Of the firm as
ascertained at this time are as fol-
lows: Preferred stock, $5O00O0 com
mon stock 100000; deficit between
actual assets and amount set forth in
company's statements to Little and
Hays, $223S7S total. $l,O2S,878. To
meet these obligations there is left
in assets stock valued at $437,87S.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
MISSISSIPPI MATTERS
SANDY BAYOU LEASE VALID.
So Hold Judges Calhoun and Truly
of the Supreme Court.

The supreme court has spoken in the
celebrated Sandy Bayou case. While
Justices Calhoun and Truly hold the
lease valid they arrive At their conclu-
sions from different Viewpoints
Judge Calhoun held that there was
no law at present either against the
Sandy Bayou lease made by majority
of the board of control, or to warrant
! Gov. Nardaman in causing injunction
proceedings. If the law had been gio-
lated the attorney general, as the legal
adviser Of the State was The officer TO
institute the proceedings ON behalf OF
the State.
Judge Truly held that the question
at issue was the legality Of the contract
of the board OF control. He then re
viewed the whole lease which had
caused the trouble. ard concluded by
agreeing with Judge Calhoun as to the
logical conclusion. which was in effect
sustaining the Sandy Bayou lease and
incidentally throwing the appellee out
of court
The minority opinion was read by
Justice Whitfield, who dwelt particu-
larly with regard to the right Of the
governor in bringing the action hold
ing that there was no other course to
pursue If he thought that the interests
Of the people We're at stake, and it was
plainly obvious that the attorncy-gen-
eral, a, one Of the parties to the con-
tract could not consistently appear as
plainth against himself,
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
THE HOLLlSTER TRAGEDY
New Light On the Terrible Tragedy
That Recently shocked
Chicago,

Chicago,Ja 20.-AIrs. Frank G. Hol-
lister whose brutal murder by Richard
Iyens has aroused Chicago. was held a
prisoner in an empty house in Montana
street for hours before she was Killed,
by a gang of five young hoodlums, of
which her slayer was one, according to
a story which has just been told the
police
The story, which is one of convincing
Idetail confirms the theory upon which
Mrs. HOLSTERS family and the mem
bers of the Wesley church. in the choir
Of which She sang, have insisted from
the first. The story was told to a
friend by one Of the degenerate youths
while in mis- cups, who had taken part
in the attack upon the woman.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
SHOT SLAYER OF HUSBAND
Mrs. Written Puts Five Bullets Into
Body of j. D. Fairless.

Marks, Miss. Jan. 23--John D, Fair
less was shot and killed at this place
today by Mrs. f. B. Whitten of IIinch-
cliff.
Some two or three months ago Fair
less shot and killed +. b. Whitten at
Essex, this county, Today Mrs. Whit
ten, wife of the man whom Fairless
killed, arrived here at ll;44, proceeded
to l.. Marks store. Fairless was in the
store when she entered Seeing Fair
less, she emptied her pistol at him,
killing him instantly, all five of the
balls taking effect, most of them in the
head.
After the shooting, Mrs. Whitten, in
company with another lady, proceeded
to the Commercial Hotel and inquired
for an officer, with the intention of sur
rendering.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
He Was Charged with Giving False
Testimony Regarding Alleged
Weighing Frauds.

Kansas City. Mo-. Jan, 2O.--John Jay
Miller, live stock man, was acquitted
by a jury in the criminal court here
of the charge of giving false testimony
before The grand jury which is inyestl-
eating alleged weighing frauds at the
Kansas City stock yards, During the
trial of Miller it was brought out that
certain weighers at the stock yards
entered into a conspiracy with certain
stockmen to defraud buyers and sell,
ers at the yards, both by overwhelming
and underweighing live stock AS the
result Of the grand jury's investigation
several weighers and stockmen be.
side Miller were indicted
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
BIG BLAZE AT QUINCY, ILL.
The j. 10. Schoo Saddlery Cots Plant
ana other buildings nurned At
It Loss OF S30O,OOO.

Quincy H., Jan. 19.-Flre which,
Thursday started in the livery stable
Of Fred E. Harnst destroyed the huge
plant of the j. B. Schoo Saddlery Co,
consisting Of FIVE brick buildings rang
ing from three TO five stories in height.
Flames spread across the street and
almost completely destroyed the city
hall, a handsome building, four stories
in height The wholesale store Of the
Aldo-Sommer Drug Co. was badly dam
aged by fire and water. Several persons
We're slightly injured by the falling
walls of the school building Eight
horses were burned in the Harnst sta
bles The total loss exceeds 100000;
insurance is nearly equal
The city records We're in the vaults
and are believed to be preserved.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
CAUGHT IN SAN FRANCISCO


san Francisco, Jan, 22-Detective r.
p Riordan arrested Alfred w. Syrett
on orders from Chief Kiely Of 81. Louis.
1t is charged that on a check drawn on
the Jefferson bank, ST Louis, to which
he had forged the name of a prominent
citizen, Syrett secured $500 He will
be held pending the arrival of an Off
Ger from st. Louis
Syrett was residing with friends here.
He says he will not fight eXtradiuon,
and is more anxious to return to st.
Louis and clear things up than the Off
GERS are to have him, He claims to
have been associated with the Missis-
sippi Valley Trust Co, and to have also
conducted a business Of his own under
The name of the Maple Green Realty
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
MARSHALL FIELD FUNERAL
LAID TO REST WITHOUT PoMP
OR oSTENTATIoN.
Business Throughout Chicago Was
Largely Suspended During the
Funeral Hours.

Chicago Jan. 20.-Funaral services
for Marshall Field were held Friday
at his late home. 1908 Prairie avenue,
and the First Presbyterian church. The
services at the home were held at II
o'clock and were characterized by sim
plicity and brevity. and none but those
Immediately connected with the fami-
ly and household was in attendance.
The service at the church was an
hour later, and was attended by many
friends of Mr. Field. This service. too.
was private. and admission to the
church was only by card
The services at the church consisted
of a prayer by DR.. Morrison. the read
ing of a portion Of the Scriptures. and
the rendition of two hymns: Lead
Kindly Light" and Il Am Near
Home"
In the afternoon a memorial service
was held in the Auditorium, which was
packed to the doors by the employees of
Marshall Field & Co. Rev. John A.
Morrison, pastor of the First Presby-
terian church. oficiated at all three
services The body of Mr.. Field was
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
NEBRASKA PRAIRIE FIRES
Nearly rive Hundred square Miles
OF Ranch Lands in Western
Nebraska Swept Clean.

Sidney, Neb., Jan. 19.-Nearly 800
square miles Of prairie ranch lands
were Thursday and Thursday night
burned over by the worst prairie fro
seen in western Nebraska for decade.
Now there are only burned stubble and
wrecks of ranches where last week
there was one Of the finest grazing and
agricultural districts in all western Ne
braska.
While many houses were destroyed,
there has been no reported loss OF life,
although entire families may have been
wiped ont in the burned district.
Thousands of head Of livestock are
dead and the barren prairie is scattered
with their carcasses, while many houses
are wrecked and the occupants are
homeless.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
SMALLPOX AT ALGEClRAs
Caused FIuttcr Among the
Diplomats.

Algeciras, Spain, Jan. 19.-Active tel
.egraphing is going on between the am.
bassadors and their respective capitals.
Something Of tiutter was caused
among the diplomatists, Thursday, by
the news that smallpox exists here.
Rear-Admiral Sigsbee. who learned this
fact from the authorities at Gibraltar,
issued an order forbidding any one be-
longing to his squadron TO so ashore at
Algeciras
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
BURIED TREASURE FOUND


Emporia, lias., Jan. 90 Marion
Turner and Otto Freshwater, Emporia
men, claim to have found buried treas
lure to the value Of 100000 in or near
Phoenix Mound, southwest of En-
poria Part OF the treasure, they say,
is in gold coin and the remainder in
gold bearing quartz The treasure is
said to have been buried in lS4S, by
three men who were on their way
east from California when surrounded
by Indians.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
Portraits of Stone and Marshall.

Two oil portraits of exceptional in
terest to the people Of Mississippi have
been presented to the department Of
archives and history, to be placed in
the Hall of Fame, one of Gov. John NJ.
Stone, presented by Mrs, J. NJ. Stone,
of Iuka; the other of DIR. G. X. Mar
shall, presented by his daughter, Mrs.
A, DeMoss, OF Vicksburg, The first
represents one OF the best governors
Mississippi ever had, the latter one oil
the most talented and conseelatcd min
ioters OF the NJ. +. Church South
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
LABOR WENT FOR NAUGHT
Robbers Tunnel Through Eleven
Feet of Rock Into II Topeka
Bank Hut Get Nothing.

Topeka Kas. Jan, PA bold at.
tempt to rob the vaults and safes OF
the Merchants national bank of To-
peka was discovered Sunday. The rob
bers had commenced work in the base.
ment and tmneled through II feet OF
solid rock to the floor of the vaults ef-
fecting an entrance. They had made an
attempt to wreck the safes some time
Saturday night, but their efforts had
fniled
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
FRANCES NEW PRESIDENT


Paris. Jan. lS,-The national assem-.
bly, met Wednesday afternoon il
the Congress hall Of the national palace
at Versailles for the election of pres.
ldent Of the republic. The assembly
consists nominaly of 59l deputies ant
500 senator's, but owing to deaths, III
ness and the passage Of some of the
deputies TO the senate, leaving theil
seats vacant the number present was
decreased to about $50, making 49C
votes necessary to elect new presi.
dent
The greatest interest was manifested
in the proceedings. which, however
were very prolonged The members Of
the assembly voted in alphabetical or
der Those waiting their turn discussed
eXcitedly the prospects OF their favor
ties.
The vote resulted: NJ. Faliers, 4lG,
NJ. DOumer. 81.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
Four Hundred Out.

Houston, Tex, Jam 23.-'rhe strike
in the Humble oil field now involves
about 400 men, The largest producers
are seriously handicapped, the Noon
shine and the Texas company plants
being entirely shut down. Non-recog-
milton of the union and discharge of
union men is the cause of the strike.
1t is stated by the strike leaders that
the trouble will be extended to the
other fields only as last resort, The
managers of the companies affected
have declined to treat with the strikers
for any settlement of the trouble.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
Report Of Revenue Agent

The report of the State Revenue
Agent show, that during the two years
the sum Of $25O, O,36407 has been collect
ed by and through the Office, of which,
the report states, more was collected
through official investigation than by
the revenue agent. The total amounts
collected by the State Revenue Agent
were $27, So. W, while the amounts col
lectcd through the Revenue Agent
were SlpI Sll.14
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
Given $4,000 Damages.

Ia the circuit court at Iuka samuel
Wiley was given a verdict for $50 900
against the southern Railroad Com
pany. Wiley was operating a steam
shovel at gravel pit Of the defendant
company when both legs We're crushed
and horribly mangled by the heavy
chain Of the machine slipping out of
the groove owing to the worn and de-
fective condition OF the parts OF the
steam shovel
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
In Caleb Powers Case.

Washington. Jan. 23.-The supreme
court of the United States today heart.
arguments on the petition of the state
of Kentucky for writ of mandamus
compelling the restoration of the case
of Caleb Powers of Kentucky to the
jurisdiction of the State courts of the
State. Former Gov. Black of New
York and L. L. Worlhington OF Ken
lucky appeared for Powers, while the
State was represented by Attorney
General Hays of Kentucky and Hon.
Lucien Maxwell OF Ohio.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
RARE AND ANCIENT RELIC
Gift To the Field Museum of Natural
History, Chicago, by visit
ing Chinese.

Chicago, Jan. 22.-Tuan Fang and Tai
Hmg-Chi, the Chinese high commits
sioners, left Chicago at eight o'clock
Sunday night for the east. They will
spend to-day in Pittsburg and will ar
rive in Washington Tuesday morning
Before leaving Chicago, Tuan Fang
made known his desire to present to
the Field museum Of natural history a
rare and ancient Chinese stone tablet
similar to one in the Japanese imperial
museum in Toxic There are said to
be but three of the tablets in existence
the third being in the palace of Tuan
Fang,
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27

Annapolis. Md, Jan. 1S.-The charges
on which Midshipman Chester A. A
Bloebaum, of St. Charles, Mo-, cade
at the naval academy here, is to be
court-martialed include six separate in.
stances of hazing.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
Must Not Hunt on Sunday.

Judge NOISE Wilkinson, in the
Adams county circuit court delivered a
special charge to the grand jury on the
subject of bird hunting on Sunday He
insisted on having true bills Of indict-
ment returned against the Sunday hunt
ers, saying that if this grand jury failed
to return the indictments he would
draw special body of inQuisjtors to
do tho mnrlk
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
Butterflies and Grasshoppers.

c. 5. Smith and DR., A. \. Wheat, Jr,
OF Crenshaw. report the finding of
grasshoppers and butterflies near that
place. Someone else reports the fact
that there are mosquitoes galore among
the timber brakes in the bottom.
This is quite peculiar thing for this
season of the year.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27

Wesson, Miss, Jan. 1S-The Missis.
sippi cotton mills here, the largest In
the south, have gone into the hands of
receiver, The bonded debt is $780,
600, but it is believed all obligations
viii he met. .
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
Victims OF RunnMnn.

Ottawa, H., Jan 2O.--Mrs. ]. f.
Quaife, and her 15-year-oli daughter.
lost their lives by being thrown into
the Illinois river two miles from here.
Friday, by runaway horse plunglng
over an embankment The body Of
the daughter has not been found.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
Miner Evangelist Saving Souls.

Irving. H. Jan. % Evangelist Dan
A. Shannon, formerly a coal miner, is
holding a revival here, and the whole
town is throbbing with the excitement
of religious feryor His meetings last
for hours at time. and scores have
been converted
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-01-27
Mount PeIee survivor DcaJ,

Carlyle, H., Jan, 1S,-Charles L.
Peters, aged "a, died here of lung trou-
bic, contracted by his experience at
Martinique during the famous eruption