The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-01-22
Number of Dead Estimated at
From 500 to 1000.
Peopl Encamped i'm Open Spaces
Conlagration Practically at an End.
Clearing up Burned Arena Going Oh
Slowly, Owing to Dissemination Oh
People to Work-Arrangement for
Transfer of Persons to Other Local
tiles.

According to information received
today the Kingston horror is growing.
Communication with the island is par
TALLY restored, and every message that
comes through brings fresh details of
the appalling catastrophe. The number
of dead is placed at various figures
from 500 to 1900 and the number OF
injured runs into thusands. Ten thou
sand people are said to be homeless.
The danger of famine has increased
and with it stalks the spectre CT pesti-
Ience. There is urgent need Of sup
plies of all kinds, and energetic efforts
are being made in this country and in
England to send aid.
The business section of the city has
been wiped out n the estimate Of
damages ranging from $4,000 to $25,-
600, 5000. Among the dead and injured
are a number of prominent English
persons and almost every dispatch
adds a new name to this list. Eight
Americans are recorded as missing and
it is said that many tourists undoubt-
eddy were crushed by falling walls in
the shopping district. The DattIesn1p
Missouri and Indiana have reached
the scene and the officers and sailors
are standing by to render every assist
ance in their power. A new horror is
added to the situation by the reports
that the land seems to be slowly sink
ing in the sea-.
London, January 1.-THE colonial
office has received "a cabjegram from
Sir Alexander Swettenham, tha COVER
nor of Jamaica. 1t is without date,
n runS as follows:
Continuing my previous Telegram
on the subject of earthquake, the evil
effects have beer confined almost to
three parishes of the island, namely,
Kingston, Port Royal and ST. Andrew.
The fire at Kingston has practically
ceased; only coal and rubbish are now
burning.
The district burned comprises o.
triangular area between the parade
gardens, the sea, Duke street and Prin-
ces street. The parish church forms
the apex of this triangle, which com
prises about One-thirtieth part OF the
town. The wharves burned are
George and Branday and Malabre,
Haggart Lyons, SolomOns, De Mercado,
H%enriques and one, not both, Of the
Royal Mail Staem Packet company's.
The burned area is being cleared
slowly, owing to the indispOSitiOn Of
the population to labor at double the
usual wages. There are a few bodies
still covered with ruins. The burialS
10 loon this day comprise 343 The
persons amitted to hospitals in King
ston total 440. excluding some 90 cases
sent to Spanish Town from Kingston
for treatment.
The population generally is en-
camped on the parade grounds, the
mace and the open spaces. 1t is re-
luctant to return to it's ruiner houses
during the fine weather.
The usual provision shops are in the
burned area and there is consequent
ly difficulty in buying provisions. |
am arranging for sales temporarily,
and for the transfer Of persons 20
other parishes. There was some Pill
fering last night from deserted shops.
The population is wonderfully patient,
but l~istleSs.
St. Augustine, Fla, January IL
Wireless messages received at the sta
ton on AnaStaSia island TODAY BY
Chief Electrician Elkins saw thar
Kingston is sinking gradually: that
holes and cracks one hundred feet
deep were formed by the earthquake
and that grave fears are felt that the
entire city Will slip into the bay.
Another message says the hospital
corps, attendants and supplies from the
United states naval vessels at GUAM
tanamO have been sent TO the stricken
island.
Secretary Root to canada.