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THE BRUNSWICK NEWS.
VOLUME 1; NUMBER 212.
EYE WITNESS TELLS OF
ST. PIERRE’S LAST BAY
TALKS OF TOE
GREAT ACCIDENT
■ —♦ —
DESCRIBES HOW THE CITY WAS
BLOTTED OUT—SAYS THE AT j
MOSPHERE WAS FULL WITH !
FLAME.
THRILLING EXPERIENCE AND
MARVELOUS ESCAPE OF TWO
FRENCH TRAVELERS IN A
SMALL BOAT.
Comte ilo Fitz-Jnmes, who, with
Bui-on Fontenilliat, witnessed the Up
Ftructlon of St. Fierce, Martinique, es
caping destruction in a most marvelous
manner and by Urn display of great
fortitude and presence of mind, de
scribed his impressions the other day
to a reporter for the New York Herald.
Both these French travelers realize 1
now how favored they have been by
fortune, and each shows-tu his appear
ance the hardships ho endured. They
arrived in New York on the Hed 1)
line steamship Caracas from San Juan.
Comte do Fitz-James says:
“From a bont in the read stead in
front of St. i’ierre Baron Fonteniilint
and 1 witnessed the cataclysm that
came upon the city. We saw the ship
ping destroyed by a breath of tire. We
saw the cable ship (trappier keel over
under the whirlwind and sink as though
drawn down Into the waters of the
harbor by some force front below. The
’Koraimn was overcome and burned at
jtnehor. The Roddurn, a trille more for
tunate, was able to escape like a strick
en moth which crawls from a flame
that has burned Its" wings and left it s
cripple to suffer until death relieves.
“Our own danger was great, and had
it not hecii fdr the bravery and Ih
courage of the baron I would have per
islied. 1 was stunned, unable to lift a
hand to assist myself. Baron de Fon
tenilliat dragged me from the boat into
the water, where lie supporled me tin
til 1 was so far recovered as to be able
to care for myself.
“If yon will permit me lo relate the
remarkable circumstances that took
us to Martinique ami to St. Pierre in
time to be witnesses of lids great (rag
cry, I will give as best 1 can the p
tun.- which will never leave my mem
ory. Baron de Fonteniilint and I had
been in French Guiana on a business
trip relating to some mining property
in which we are interested. We learned
upon oar arrival at Carbet that an
eruption of Mont I’elee had destroyed
a part of the village of ProCbeur, on
the other side of the harbor. That was
the eruption of May 3. Wo made im
mediate arrangements to visit the
seem* of Ihe disaster. Two negro
loatmei) were employed to take us
across !'■• bay. and it was the fact
that we mi do m early start the next
morning that saved our lives.
“As we made our way across the wa
ter w 1 more than half faced Mont IV
lie, which was throw jpg off a heavy
cloud of smoke, steam anil ashes. No
dilutes were to be seen. On shore the
Inhabitants could be seen making their
way about the water front. The city
was to our right. 1 should have said
that the calm of the morning was al
most abnormal. Not a ripple was to
be seen on the face of the sen.
“The rumblings from the bowels of
the mountain were majestic in tone.
1 cannot tell vou just how they sound
ed. but perhaps you can imagine a
mighty hand playing upon the strings
of a harp greater than all the world.
The notes produced were deep and full
of threatening*. There was a jarring
sensation, and every now and then
there was a commotion of the waters
that caused a swell without making
the surface break.
“While we were talking there came
an explosion that was beyond any that
ever before happened. I can only liken
it to a shot from a mammoth cannon.
The breath of fire swept down upon
tl:e city arid water front with all of
the force that could have been given
to it by such a cannon.
“The explosion was without warn
ing, arid the effect was instantaneous.
Cinders were shot into our faces with
stinging effect. The air was filled with
flame. Involuntarily we raised our
hands to protect our faces. When the
explosion came, our two boatmen were
either thrown from the boat or, with
a quick impulse, they sprang over
board. It was the one thing to have
done to save their lives; but. unfortu
nately for them, they lost their pres
ence of mind and instead of staying
by the side of the boat they swam
away in the direction of Precbeur,
which we were ajiproapjflnf- wjvm the
u.t > c..;xe. it was impossible Tor
them to laud, at Proeheur, so they
were eompelh and to put back. They then
struck out across the bay, evidently
hoping to reach Carbet. We saw no!- !
ther of them again, and l have no |
doubt they were drowned.
"My brave companion had the same
impulse that actuated the negroes. lie
spiling into the water, and when lie
saw that I did not move he readied up
and. catching me by the shoulder,
dragged me from the boat. I was
stunned at first, and. though it was not
a physical injury, I could not move
ofiny own volition until the cool wa
ter restored my senses.
“It was so Ihnt we could see all that
happened about us. The Grnppler
rushed through the water as far as her
anchor eab. would permit. Then she
seemed to i -a by the bow, and when
she settled back she sank almost be
fore tlie force of the explosion had
spent itself. Tlie Horn bun was all a
mass of flames for several seconds.
We could see the poor wretches aboard
of her rushing about in a vain attempt
to escape front the lire that enveloped
them. The Boddam was also over
come. Her gangway was over tlie
side, llcr upper works were wrecked,
but by heroic ci.'orl those on board
were aide to let go the anchor, and aft
er many uttempis tlie ship began lo
move. Sire literally crawled away. II
was a splendid d./jCny oi iiurage. At
least three lute (•:.;•> cd after the ex
plosion before the Boddam cleared the
harbor.
“On siiere nil was aflame. Tlie city
burned v. :ih a terrible rear. We re
alized t it the inhabitants had nil died,
as not one \n. - to l o seen making an
nUenipi , > os N ; a cry was heard
save fr- m the Hups that were in the
harbor. Our own condition was des
perate In the extreme. The heat was
intense. We were aMe lo keep our
faces above the surface of the water for
a second at a time at the most. We
would take a mouthful of air and then
sink In: i the water t•• stay there until
forced to come t• • Un surface again.
This i’dy ini im! about three minutes.
After that wo wore able to float, by the
side iiftlm 1 t. dipping only occasion
ally. IVhen wo could sustain the heat
that filled tin* air, we clambered back
into Use b >nt a id rowed back to Carbet.
At (V.rVd wo found the village ntisn-
lutely deserted.
“II J to <b sri ihe even in
the ft.-.-1 i manner the horrors of
Sf. 1 ’.■ T', re v- re some things
that '-ii be explained and many more
that cannot l- explained by anything
known to in Mom reason.
“It. happen. -1 that one of flic first
bodies found bv tie party with which
we cun - si Fierce Monday, May
5, was ti;-,! ii a pretty Ii; !c girl about
four }e: i x old. She - u in a lifelike po
sition by the side of a ! x containing
her to;.Bid Is . sips ; q (lie fact
that the house in v. Inch it was found
was in absolipe ruins, and, instead of
being under the debt s, the body was
on top of it all? I: :as though the
little girl ;e ! la of t* yd had been
lifted i:Po II ■ p ■ Her the build
in;' had I’alies: into rip: a. la mi dropped
bad: to earth. So It >va :in the streets.
The exp! Pen hap* n and : :-t before 8
o'clock. It was ti ibid day. Mass was
called for 8 oVb <•’... id many were
on their way to the cathedral. All of
these had 1 e. i lifted into the air, and
after the mins hud fallen the bodies
dropped back.
“When melinite explodes in (he hands i
of a man, it i- aiwa; (h<* ease that Ids \
clothes are blown from bis body. So it
was at St. Fierro. Ail of the bodies
were naked, wi x* fpr (lie shoes. More
over, tlie clothing had not been burned
off, ns fins b- ■ m often r ported. The
only bodies touched by fire were those
that reii aim and where the houses burn
ed after the explosion.
“We : iw gnat stones that seemed
to be marvels of strength, but when
touched by the toe of a boot they
crumbled into in# aipable dlist. 1 pick
ed up a bar of iron. It was about an
Inch and a h V thick and three feet
long. Ii had iei manufactured square
and tic -i t .*.**• .< dso 1 to give it gicut
er strength. 5 ex hie that came down
from Moo* I . e In.ii laln n from the
iron all of it •• >•, : nth and hud left it
so tis.it. wLou I iw isb <| it it fell into
M w.
“Back of (he cathedra! was the sa
vanna. On-.n. tree: bad been torn up
by the u.- ', i> . . a bole twenty
feet dec ■; ' h ; or forty feet
across. Then Iwie had been died
by the a-h j .pat ; erred down from
the voio'::-. TV* < ; were cut off as
though by a i bey knife in the hands
of a p : - nt i- ; ; ■ Everywhere were
ban!: ' of cit <b. :nd ashes. All about
us w< !••• ! t -i IV ,' faces was to
lie see! c . p> ace which I have seen
mentioned y others. IP: lieve thru al
- lad a.e ; realize what was
upon! hem. hut they did i ot have time
to suffer. Their arms were outstretch
ed. The hands were open and the fin
gers were spread. It vras a common
j gesture, and i believe that it was nn
net of men and women who threw up
! their arms to ward off a blow whteh
they knew was upon them.
BRUNSWICK, GA.. TUESDAY MORNING, JUNE 3.
STORES ALL CLOSED
YESTERDAY AT SIX
PRINCIPAL STREETS HAD RATH
ER A DULL APPEARANCE AF
TER CLOSING HOURS.
In compliance with their agree
ment. the merchants of Brunswick
closed their respective places of bus
mess yeterday afternoon at 6
o’clock.
After that hour the streets had
somewaat of a dull appearance. A
majority of the stores closed
promptly at (i, but a few were
crowded with customers as the city
clock struck the hour, and it was fif
teen or twenty minutes before they,
could get their doors locked.
■ However. after a few dayis it is
thought that the new scheme will be
alright as our citizens will get accus
tomed to It. Several ladies did
not leave tlicir homes for shopping
bat;! six yesterday, forgetting that
tlie-Tii res were to- close at that hour,
and were somewhat disappoint and
whoa they got up town.
COL. J. H. ESTILL,
Candidate for Governor Who Will Speak at the City Hfdl Here Tonight.
PREPARING FOR THE BALL GAME
Brunswick Will Carry Strong Aggre
gation to Fernandina.
The Brunswick baseball club is
practicing hard for their game with
Fernandina Friday, and will carry a
strong aggregation and make every
effort to repeat the dose they recent
ly gave to the Florida club on the
home grounds. ,
From all indications a large crowd
of rooter# will accompany the local
club.
Following is the line up of the
| team; Hunter Hopkins, rightfield;
: Will Walker, leftfleM; John Abbott,
second base; Colson Hoyt, short
| stop; John McCullough, first base;
Frank Mallard, center field; Sam
Mallard, third base; Ernest An'imi
t-. catch; French Hunter, pitch;
Jim Ciqaiaer, substitute.
FORMED A TERRELL CLUB.
Fi.ends of the Candidate Met At
Courthouse Last Night.
The Brunswick friends of Hon. J.
M. Terrell, candidate for governor,
met at the court house last night and
formen a Glynn County Terrell club.'
There were some twenty of twenty- :
five citizens peaent at the meeting,
and they seemed confident that the '
north Georgia candidate would carry
Glynn county.
H. S. Lee was elected president
and L. A. Robinson secretary.
After discusssing questions connec
ted wtth the campaign and arranging
for the rally at the city hall tomorrow
night, the meeting adjourned.
Col. Hitch Here.
Col. Simon W. Hitch, of Waycross,
candidate for judge of the Brunswick
circuit is here in me interest of his
candidacy. He lias a large number of
friends in this city, who will make a
strong effort to carry Glynn county
for him Thursday.
TABERNACLE MEETING
WILL CLOSE TONIGHT
THEY HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL
IN EVERY RESPECT—SERV
ICES YESTERDAY.
i
The services at the tabernacle
were very Interesting yesterday. In
tue afternoon a great many questions
had been handed in for the “quiz”
meeting and the answers to them
proved very interesting. Dr. Munhall
could not answer al! in the time al
lotted and had to let them go over.
Bast night he preached one of his
strongest sermons on the subject t
“Worldly Amusements.” It was a
strong appeal to church members and
Christians from the text "If anysman
will come after me let him take up
his cross daily and follow me.” The
subject for this afternoon will bo
“The Law of Separation," defining the
altitude that Christians ought to
sustain in several phases.
The molding will close tonight
with a grand rally, and no doubt a
large crowd will be present at
this farewell service to Dr. Munhall
and his coworkers.
WORK ON BAY STREET,
Carts are Now Busy Hauling Shells
On That! Street,
Capt. T. Newman, chairman of the
comniitti! on public works, put the
street gang on Bay street yesterday
and this popular thoroughfare now
presents an improved appearance.
Captain Newman says he was well
aware of the fact that the street was
in a bad condition, but, he was in
formed tnat thei B. & li. would ex
tend the Bay street track south and
he furhter stated that there would bn
no use in improving the street to be
torn up again. But the work is now
in progress ami very soon Bay will
be in shape again.
MOVING IN A RUSH.
Brunswick Electrical Supply Com
pany Getting in Shape.
The Brunswick Electrical and Sup
ply company began early yesterday
morning moving from the Kaiser
j ui,lding; top Gloucester stredt into
the building on Oglethorpe street, pur
chased Saturday by Mr. O’Farrell.
The. work of moving is pushed rap
idly day and night and by tonight
everything including the engine will
be in the new quarters of the com
paiiiy which havu already been thor
oughly; overhauled and placed in a
first.class condition.
This company has had considerable
trouble in getting their plant, in oper
ation, but Manager O’Farrell hopes to
have everything in readiness by
Wednesday or Thursday.
Opera House, June 4.
John Thompson, ,
Dear Sir: I laughed so much at
you in your comic entertainment
I that 1 swallowed my false teeth.
1 Anew set began to grow immediately
and 1 now have anew one. Asa
I mark of appreciation I send you as
j a present a fine horse pistol that 1
raised from a colt. Yours truly,
1. McGUMMY.
Brices, 25, 53, and 50c.
BIG ESTILL RALLY
IS ON FOR TONIGHT
IJIIEE LOCAL NEWS NOTES.
G. F. Parnell, of Waycross, is in
the city.
Photographer Wilson was in the
.city: Sunday from Savannah. .
Tlv excursions to Jacksonville and
Savannah were well patronized Sun
day.
Tliis is Jeff Davis' birthday and
Sunday hours will be observed at
the post-office.
Judge R. T. Hitch, formerly of this
city, now ol; Atlanta, is spending a
few days in the city.
D. B. Charlton, of Savannah, spent
Sunday ill the city tiie guest of his
father. Capt. R. D. Charlton.
E. D. Wolffe, former manager of
tlie Grand opera house, this city, is
shaking hand* with his many friends.
C. P. Jameson, toe popular phar
macist at. Smith's dj-ng store, left
yesterday for Yatesville, Ga., to
spend his vacation. During his ab
sence Dr. Davis Bailey, of Atlanta,
will occupy bis place.
YESTERDAY’S SHIPPING RECORD
Quite a Number of Vessels Arrived
During the Day.
The following vessels arrived since
Sunday:
Steamer San Marcos, Capt. Avery,
from New York.
Spanish bark l.inrta. Capt. Ferrer.
Bark Jupiter, Capt. Janson, from
i ondon.
Schooner Jeremiah Smith, Capt.
Parsons, from Now Haven.
Schooner Gladys, Capt. Colson,
from New York.
Schooner Hattie B. Ogdon, Capt.
Wilbert, from now York.
Schooner Levi Hart, Capt, Pendle
ton. from New York.
Schooner Clias. li. Wolston, Capt.
llindy, from Providence.
Opera House, June 4.
Mr. John Thompson.
Dear Sir: i had a wart on the end
of my nosse. After seeing you in
“Around the World in jo Minutes” tli
wart fell off and 1 am now using it
for a collar button. Yours truly.
U. R. FINE.
Prfices, 25, 35, and 50c.
THE COMING PRIMARY.
The primary for the nomination of
candidates for governor arid otlrer
.statohouse, officers occurs Thursday
of this weejk. in Glynn tlie race is
between Col. Estill and Mr. Terrell.
Mr. Quarry has a good number of
friends who would prefer to vote for
him but neither ho nor they have
! made an active 1 canvass for Glynn’s
I vote uni] ho stands no chance of car
lying the county. So far as Glynn is
concerned, lucre arc but two eandi
! dates in tli ■ race.
I The race between Estill and Terrell
! will be close in this county, and the
result, will be in doubt until the last
vote, is counted, unless the Gucrry
supporters should join with the Es
till forces. United they can easily
carry the county. These gentlemen
should remember that a county ear
i- fi for Estill practically means, in
the coiiv ution, a half of a county for
Gucrry:
Under all the circumstances for
Mr. Ouerry’s friends to vote for him
would be folly--a vote, for Guerry is
a vot l - thrown away in Glynn.
This is a matter worthy the consid
eration of Mr. Guerry's friends, and
they should weigh it carefully before
casting their votes.
To Begin June 15.
G. W. Cline’s pants factory will, in
all probability Begin operation June
15. Mr. Cline de,sires the service of
twontjv,five young ladies and those
wlio desire positions are requested to
call at ins laundry Tuesday or Wed
nesday.
Will Picnic.
St. Mak*s Sunday school will pic
nie at St. Simon today. It is expect
ed that entire school will go down
and the occasion will he a pleasant
one.
Noticce.
Until further notice tin's company
will close its. office at 0 o’clock p. -tn,
ami no deliveries will be made after
that hour.
BRUNSWICK iCi'/ iIFG. CO.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
MIG AT
TIE CITY HALL
♦
SAVANNAH GUBERNATORIAL CAN
DIDATE WILL BE HERE AND
WILL ADDRESS THE MEET
ING.
COL. W. E. KAY AND OTHER
ORATORS OF BRUNSWICK AND
SAVANNAH WILL ALSO SPEAK
TO VOTERS.
A big Esttill rally will be hold at
tlc city Ball tonight, and, from all
ir.o r alioria. it will be one of the,
largest political meetings ever held
in this city, and those who attend are
promised a most enjoyable evening,
an some orators of reputation of Sa
vannah and Brunswick will espouse
the cause of the Chatham -county can
didate, who seems to be gaining phe
nominally here, as well as all over
tl\<\ state and whose chances for car
rying Glynn county seem to be very
good.
The many friends of Col. Estill in
this city wore hard at work yesterday
and some good work was put in by
them. A preliminary meeting was
held at the city hall last night and it
was a, representative and enthusias
tic one in every respect. The meet,
ing was not advertised, but a commit
ted only visited a number of voters
and asked (hem tp attend to assist
in making arrangements for the big
meeting tpnjght and arranging for
the election on Thursday.
Among others who will address the
meeting tonight will be Col. Estill
himself, who comes to Brunswick- at
the request of his friends. Col. E,-
til will explain his position on State
matters fully. In hisi addresses he
does not take up the time in slinging
mud at his opponents, but talks on in
teiv jesting questions which are of im
portance. to the voters of Georgia.
Another sspeaker known the state
over as an orator of reputation, will
lie Col. L. M. Oliver, of Savannah,
who is an ardent supporter of Col.
Estil. Mr. Oliver will also, speak on
subjects of importance to the voters
and is sure to interest all who hear
him. ,
Col. Estill will arrive in the city
■'CRs, ’afternoon, and (will speak to
night. • The meeting will he attend
ed by the Marine band, which will
fuurnish splendid music.
Col. W. E. Kay, Brunsswick’s elo
quent orator, will also address the
mooting, and as he is a speaker of
state reputation, his Brunswick
I friends will give him a royal welcome.
Its is regretted by Col. Estill’s
friends that Hon. W. G. Brantley is
detained in Washington by his con
gressional duties, as he is such a
warm supporter of Col. Estill that it
was hoped he could be here to make
a speech in his behalf.
FRAT'ERVILLE mine disaster.
Grand Jury of Anderson County Will
investigate Cause.
Knoxville, Tenn., June 2.—A specia
to The Sentinel from Clinton, Tenn.,
says:
Judge W. R. Hicks has instructed
the circuit court grand jury of Ander
son county to investigate the cause of
the Fraterville mine explosion of May
19 at Coal Creek, in Which 216 men
and hoys lost their lives. Major E. C.
Camp and George Camp, president,
and State Mine Inspector R. A. Shlf
fiet and the men who went with him
on the official inspection last Monday
and members of the first rescuing par
ty to enter the mine, have been sub
penaed to appear before the grand
jury.
$150,000 Fire in Buffalo
Buffalo, N. Y., June 2. —'lhe Man
ning malt house, together with a quan
tity of grain damaged in the' fire at
Wells’ elevator a few weeks ago. was
burned at an early hour today. A high
wind blew firebrands and sparks to a
great distance, setting fire to the roofs
of 16 dwellings, only one of which,
however, was destroyed. The total
loss is estimated at $150,000, partially
covered by insurance.