The Brunswick news. (Brunswick, Ga.) 1901-1903, June 03, 1902, Image 1

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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.