The Kemper herald. (Scooba, Miss.) 1875-1908, 1907-01-24

Kingston, the picturesque capital Of
the Island of Jamaica, has been devas-
tated by violent earthquake.
Details Of the disaster are lacking,
as direct communication with the
stricken city has been cut off. The
land lines had been reconstructed to
within five miles Of Kingston Tuesday
evening, and from meager reports re-
ceived through SUCH channels as were
open, it has been learned that many
of the most important buildings have
been destroyed, and there has been Sc
rious loss of life.
Kingston and the other points of
interest of the island are at this sea-
son thronged with tourist from both
America and England, and the great
est apprehension is felt for the safely
of the many persons who had recently
arrived at the Jamaican resort. The
most distinguished of these were men,
bers of a party of English statesmen,
agricultural experts and men of affairs
who, under the leadership of Sir AL
fred Jones, had arrived in Kingston
within The past few days to attend an
agricultural conference.
The first great shock was felt about
$50 O'Clock Monday afternoon, and,
hs in the San Francisco and Valparai-
SO disasters, flames Immediately
sprang from the wreckage to carry
on the work of destruction. Tuesday
afternoon the fire was still burning,
although it was believed to be under
control.
The Myrtle Bank Hotel, the princi-
pal hotel at Kingston, which probably
sheltered the great bulk of visitors on
the island, is reported destroyed. The
great military hospital was burned,
and forty soldiers are reported dead.
The extent of the destruction which
has been wrought in Kingston, city
which already bears the scars of a
number of disastrous visitations OF
fire, earthquake and cyclone in years
gone by, is still left largely to the i'm
agination.'
The city is one of low-lying build
angs, clustered along the shores of one
of the finest and most securely land
locked harbors in the West Indies.
The population of $4,000 is largely
made up Of native blacks.
Many steamers carrying tourists to
Jamaica were enroute to the island
when the earthquake occurred, but il
so happens that, according TO sched-
ules, none of the ships from New
York or Boston was in Kingston har-
Dor Monday.
st. Thomas, D. w. I.-Reports re
ceived here from Jamaica say it is es-
timated that 1000 persons have beer
killed by the earthquake and fire, and
That 10000 persons are homeless.
Two things stand out of the general
gloom and bring intense satisfaction
ito the British public. The first is the
fact, confirmed in dispatch from Sir
Alfred Jones himself, that the mem
bers of the Jones party are all safe,
The second is found in the strong and
active steps taken by the American
government to investigate the real
condition and afford the necessary sue
cor TO the unfortunate city.
All possible steps are being taken
here to the same end, but America IS
generous action is none the less ap-
preciated.
The King and the Queen and also
the Premier, Sir Henry Campbell
Bannerman, have FASTENED to tele-
graph expressions of the country s
sympathy and horror at the terrible
calamity, and public bodies are az
ranging to hold meetings to express
their sympathy and afford relief to
the victims.
AT the moment of writing this dis
patch there has been received a mes
sage from Sir Alfred Jones which
confirms the worst fears This mes
sage is addressed to Elder, Dempster
& Co., and is as follows:
livingston was overwhelmed by an
earthquake Monday afternoon at $3.50.
aAll the houses within a radius Of ten
miles have been damaged and almoss
every building in the city is Destroy
ed. Fire broke out after the earth
quake and completed the work of de-
struction. It is estimated that 100
persons have been killed and ], 200 in
jured. The public officers and hospit-
ais are in ruins. Among the killed are
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