The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-01-16

In this party were Hall Caine. the novel
ist; Viscouut Montmorres, III. O. Arnold
Forster. VI. p. sir Thomas Hughes, Sir
Thomas shaw. Lady Moore. James Par
k.1son a member OF the Liverpool Cot
ton Growing association: Mrs. oliver
Howell Davies and others OF equal proml-
nence The Earl and Countess OF Dud-
ley were also passengers on the same
steamer which carried out the larger
party.
At Cooks tourist agency It was said
there were probably several hundred
Americans in Kingston at the present.
time and this estimate was verified at
the offices OF the Atlas service OF the
HambuEg- American line. at the United
Fruit company's office and al the office
OF the Royal Mail Steamship company.
Aside from those who sailed from New
York for Jamaica I'm December and are
still there. the steamship Prlnz August
Wilhelm OF the Hamburg American line
left here on Jan. 3. with S6 cabin passen'
gers and arrived at Kingston last Fri
dag.
BUILDINGS WRECKED
Details OF the terrible disaster arc very
Ireagre as all direct communication with
the stricken city has been cut off ever
since Monday afternoon. Some OF the
lend lines have been reconstructed 10
within five miles OF Kingston, the first
messages passing over them late last
nipht.
Througf, the few sources which have
been reached II was learned that many
90 the important b1lldngs have been de-
st~oyod both by the earthquake and by
the fire which followed. So far as the re-
ports seem TO Indicate. the loss OF life
Will be at the very least 100, although this
number may be increased. as the hospitals
are filled with the wounded, manv OF
whom arc expected 20 die from their In
jIries
The first great shock came at $3.50 Mon
day afternoon. and. as in the other great
CarthoUake disasters OF recent years.
flames added their horror to the general
terror. With the speed OF lightning they
leaped and played along the chaos of the
wreck and late Tuesday afternoon the
FIRE was still sweeping over the city, al
though II was thought at that time that
II was under control. one dispatch says
that large portion o. the city was
wrecked and burned. while another states
that only one-sixteenth Of the city was
destroyed and that the fire was confined
10 the wharves.
% SOLDIERS DEAD.
Among the most important buildings
which are reported having been de-
stroyed by the shock or the fire are the
Myrtle Bank hotel and tho great mill
tary hospital I'm the British reservation
In tho loss of the latter building SIR
James Ferguson was instantly killed and
80 soldiers arc reported dead. In the re-
ports which are received from London II
Is said that no other Englishman Cana
dian or American was killed
The first shock was the greatest and
II was this tremor OF the carths sur
face which shook the foundations OF the
building and sent the structures top
ping to the ground Most of those who
lost their lives are supposed 10 have been
caught In the ruins and have been crush
cd TO death
Following the first great shock were
several smaller ones and these shook
down unsteady walls and added TO
the terror Of the people who were fleeing
from their homes for safety.
LOSSES ARE UNKNOWN.
Just what the extent Of the loss will be
cannot be determined for some little time
until direct communication between the
island and the mainland is restored King
ston has been visited by several dIsas-
trous earthquakes. fires and cyclones
within the last few years and IL has
hardly had time to recover from one
blow before another is struck
II f. community OF low-lying build
ihgs, clustered along the shores Of one OF
the best and most securely land-locked
bays IN the West Indies The population
~ about $1,000 and is composed OF native
Glacks for the most part
Many steamers carrying tourists from
the United States and England were en-
route az the time OF the quake. but It so
happened that, according to schedules.
none OF the ships from Boston was I'm
Kingston harbor Monday afternoon
FEW AMERICANS IN KINGSTON.
Boston, Jan. l6-Dr. George H. Bridg-
man OF Elizabeth, ". j., who relinouished
his post as American consul NJ Kingston.
ia, and arrived from Jamaica on the
steamer Admiral Dewey Monday. stated
last night that the consulate IL at present
In charge OF W. II. Orrett. a native OF
this country, but a resident OF Jamaica
Tor many years. The office has two Sec
retaries, both Jamaicans
DR.. Bridgman said that there were per-
maps 100 Americans residing In Kingston
IN addition 20 the tourists who visit the
city at this time OF the year When he left
on Jan. the tourist season had been n
poor one and there were at that time less
than ~ In the city. Last year the city was
crowded during the month OF January.
Speaking OF earthquakes. Dr. Bridgran
said that three slight shocks were felt IN
Kingston during November, but they
were no greater than those sometimes felt
IN New England and were not regarded
with any apprehension. The island has
usually been looked upon as being outside
tho earthquake belt OF tho West Indies
aud IL OF limestone formation rather than
OF volcanic origin.
Referring 20 the city os Kingston. DR..
BFidgman said that Tire buildings were