The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1907-01-17
CITY WRECKED
BY EARTHQUAKE
Kingston, Fair Capital of Jamaica,
Quickly Reduced.
FIRE SPRINGS FROM DEBRIS

Many Of the Most Important Buildings
Were Destroyed and There Wa,
Serious Loss Of Llfe-Anxiety Fell
For Safety of American Tourists
Latest Dispatches.
New York, Jan. 16-Kingston, the
picturesque capital of the island oi
Jamaica, has been devastated by q
violent earthquake. From meager re
ports received through such channels
as were open it has been learned that
many of the most important buildings
have been destroyed and that there
has been serious loss of life.
| SO far as the reports indicate, the
fatalities number less than 100, though
the hospitals are filled with injured
and the list of victims may be mater
tally increased
Kingston and the other points of in.
terest of the island are at this season
of the year thronged with tourists
from both America and England, and
the greatest apprehension is felt for
the safety of many persons who had
recently arrived at the Jamaican re-
sort. The most distinguished of these
were members OF a party of English
statesmen, agricultural experts and
men of affairs who, under the leader
ship of Sir Alfred Jones, have arrived
in Kingston within the past few days
to attend an, agricultural conference
there.
The first shock was felt at about
1880 o'clock Monday afternoon, and,
as in the San Francisco and yalpa-
raiso disasters, flames Immediately
sprung 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 40 soldiers are reported dead. Sir
James Ferguson is said to have been
instantly killed, but according to Lon
don reports no other Englishman.
Canadian or American is believed to
be missing.
Features of Wrecked City.
The city of Kingston has about go.
900 population, is laid out with regular
and wide streets, and the better class
of houses are neatly built, with wide
yerandahs and surrounded by hand
some gardens. Streetcars run to the
suburbs and two lines of railway con-
meet the city with the northern and
eastern parts of the island. Kingston
has botanical garden, library, mu-
scum, hospital and various other pub
lie buildings, and is the seat of an
Anglican bishopric. The harbor of
Kingston is considered to be one of
the finest in the world, and is protect
ed by forts. There Is naval arsenal
at Port Royal, Nearly all the trade of
the colony of jamaica centers at
Kingston, and the commercial houses
of that city have extensive relations
with southern Cuba and Central Amer
lea as well as with the United States
and Europe. The exports are mainly
sugar, rum, coffee, dye woods and
fruits. The streets of Kingston run
at right angles to the sea.
The only volcanic formation in the
island is that at the Lowlayton and
Retreat estates. in the parish of Port
land. mile from the sea, in the
county of Surrey, in which Kingston
is situated, There is, however, no de-
fined crater.
The island of Jamaica has expert
enced numerous earth shocks in the
past On Nov. 13 last sharp trem-
bier was felt. In 1892 great earth
quake destroyed Port Royal of whose
8, 200 houses only 200 were left stand
ing. 1t was this catastrophe which
led to the founding of Kingston. In
August, 1908. Jamaica was swept by
which almost totally de-
stroyed Port Antonio and inflicted
damages In various parts of the island
to about $4,000. 600. Thou.
sands Of houses in Kingston were
damaged, the wharves were battered |
and several eoasting vessels were |
sunk. In 1882 contiagration visited |
and in 1880 cyclone de-
stroyed the city's wharyes and ship
ping. The whole island was deluged !
by hurricane in 1915 and 1000 per
sons were drowned.
Another Account.
st. Thomas, Danish West indies,
Ian. 16.-Aceordips 10 further, though
'till meager. details OF the Kingston
received here. It would
appear that the hrst reports that the
,ity had been destroyed were exag-