Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-13
From Staff Correspondents of the As.
sociated Press.

From Staff Correspondent of the AS
ISOLATED Press.
Halifax, N. S., Dec. 10.-The Massa-
chusetts' relief train that left Boston
Thursday night arrived here today.
There is absolutely no way of esti-
mating with any degree of accuracy
the number of dead as a result of the
explosion on Thursday. Fifteen hun
dred dead is the generally accepted
figure by the authorities. In one NOR
que there are 800 bodies.
Few Bodies Identified.
n latter We're viewed by a multi
tude today, but only a few were iden-
titled. There are probably FOG other
bodies on view awaiting Identification
In the greater number of cases, this
Will be impossible. A citizens commit
tee issued a statement saying that be-
tween 5000 and 1000 dwellings oc-
cupied by the poorer classes had been
destroyed, affecting Approximately 25,-
O00 persons. Investigation shows that
almost 10000 persons are destitute.
Stores Open Sunday.
Snow to the depth of two feet covers
the devastated area. The district is
under strict guard, Canadian soldiers
being assisted by American blue
jackets.
The mayor today issued an order
suspending the Sabbath holiday and
directing that all stores remaining
safe for occupancy be kept open and
all labor continued.
Search of the ruins is greatly de-
iayed by the heavy snow, though man.
injured had been removed to nearby
towns before the storm set in.
ST. John, N. S., Dec. 10.-Halifax is
isolated In her desolation today. Storm
bound, the devastated city has been
emf OFF from, 1yirfi,oJ IL, al ar -, -, -, -, an,
ton with the outside.
Intermittent communication by tele-
graph, uncertain and hesitating, in the
early hours of the day, was followed
by complete suspension so far as could
be learned here.
The fate of the sufferers from the ex-
plosion of Thursday is causing the
greatest concern as temporary quarters
Tor the homeless are limited n sup
plies of window glass and roofing "a
pers that might make damaged build
ings again habitable, are still lacking
in sufficient quantities to meet the
need.
Blizzard Cruel as Flames.
Reports from Truro, 60 miles from
Halifax. say The whole section is storm
swept, and the fury of the blizzard is
hardly less cruel han the Destroying
flames that preceded it. The relief
trains that raced with the storm in the
W 5SNN3AA5 ~ odj(lJlJtS llllo HAL
fax before their paths were blocked by
the last falling snow failed, and today
the relief parties were themselves in
need OF succor.
This was looked for from Truro,
whence snow plows had been sent to
the west. The tieup is between Truro
and Amherst, and the first train it was
hoped to release was the Massachusetts
relief special. The latter was reported
at 10 o'clock this morning to be still in
a drift at Memramcook, near the Nova
Scotia border.
Relief Trains Stalled.
Trains from Halifax and other points
east were reported as hours behind,
and there were no promises made re-
Sarding them. These trains are loaded
with injured persons and deaths upon
them are altogether probable, as scarce
~ Il train load of injured has arrived
heretofore without bringing the bodies
OF some VINO died after the journey to
the hospitals at Truro was begun.
Halifax, n. S., Dec. 10.-A binding
north country snowstorm accom-
panied by a gale that at times attained
a velocity Of more than 40 miles an
hour. has held this city of desolation
IN its grasp for the past "a hours. ad-
ding new terrors to the aWe-stricken
survivors OF Thursdays disaster. Mean
time many relief trains hurrying here
from the United States and Dominion
cities with their urgently needed sup
plies are reported ~snowbound with the
time of their arrival problematical.
Hungry. Cold in Dark.
With every building in Halifax and
Dartmouth more Or less damaged by
the explosion, and fire, men, women
n children huddled together as best
they could n passed a night of suf-
fering. The chilling wind whistled
through smashed windows; there were
scarcely blankets enough to cover
wounded bodies and many were unable
to obtain food. Fires were almost out
of the question n the daily lights OBJ
tainable We're from oil lamps or can
dies.
Out Of the chaotic conditions, rich
and poor have rallied CALAMITY to their
duty of caring for the injured and
homeless and accounting for the dead.
The citizens finance committee esti-
mates that there are 1000 destitute
people in the devastated area, the ma
jority Of them from the poorer classes,
Nearly 1000 dwelling houses We're de-
stroyed. the committee declares and the
actual losses nj the estimated cost of
temporary maintenance will approx
mate $30.O00.0 900.
Famine Due Early.
Perhaps the most serious of the many