The Washington herald., 1907-01-16

those who were buried in the ruins
Of the markets and wharves, for the
menace OF the advancing flames
made their situation critical.
The snoek destroyed the Myrtle Bani,
Hotel completely. The British. military
station was destroyed. and the camp hos
pital for invaiided soldiers was likewise
wrecked entirely One British officer, re-
ported TO be- Siy James Ferguson. was
killed in the collapse of The army post
All the wires leading into Kingston were
brought down with the first shock, and
cable communication was cut of. The
Western Union office in Kingston. vas
wrecked SO as 90 Doe untenabie, The opera
tors tried 70 rig up field office outside
the range Of the IRE. but were unsuccess-
ful
The zovernoro Of Jamaica, Sir James Swet-
teuham. with the assistance of Sir Alfred
JONES' took immediate steps 10 8llay the
panic and suppress disorder. Though a
steady stream of refugees began TO make
its way out Of the town and onto the
hills behind with the first outbreak of
the FIRE the march of the refugees was
orderly. and there was no rufianism-
Late reports received here from men en-
ployed by the telegraph company who are
working on the lines within sight Of
Kingston. say that the IRE was put under
check late Monday night, but that it is
stH burning in scattered localities along
the wharves. where it can do little dam
age
No direct communication by wire to
Kingston has yet been established. 1t
is not known what shipping was in the
harbor az the time. nor whether the ship
ping suffered.
While up to the present time an Of the
advices that have been received regard
ing the disaster are not only conflicting
but are of such a character as to make
il impossible TO tell the exact extent of
the damage done. ii appears at this hour
that not only the waterfront section of
the city was entirely destroyed, but that
the weIl-kuoWn Myrtle Bank Hotel and
two others located on King street. are
at tlis season of the year usually Wei
filed. and the possibility exists that the
earlier reports that only natives lost their
lives may yet De contradicted.
The quake which shook down the city
was Of the same general character as de
molished san Francisco and Valparaiso.
and the hope is general that. as in these
of r-.tTr = g.rss
may be reduced.
The colonial Office in Loudon, II ID dis
patch received by it, confirms the reports
of the destruction Of the city. the spread
of the fire. and "a large loss Of life. The
colonial Office also expresses the belief
that the death of Sir James Ferguson. al
veteran Of the Crimean war. who was
caught under wall and crushed 70 death,
was the only fatality among the English,
and Canadians in Kingston,
but later advices received here from sew
e-al sources seem TO contradict this.
The land lines in Jamaica are not work
ing Within to 10 miles of the city.
making it impossible TO secure exact
facts. and il now seems likely that it will
be some days before actual particulars
are received.
The general use of timber in the build
ings Of the business section is responsible
for TIE spread Of the fire. The city was
bulls Of low buildings. and was believed
to have been proof against earthquake,
but the shock. apparently, was too much
for them.
Terms Disaster Appalling.
Galveston, Tex. Jan 15.-U9 to late
lour tonight the direct cable between
jamaica and Colon has failed to til
connected tale of the disaster at King
Enough is known. however.
% mark the earthquake as appalling. for
his word was caught ever the wire re-