Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 60, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 December 1908 — THOUSANDS DIE IN EARTHQUAKE [ARTICLE]

THOUSANDS DIE IN EARTHQUAKE

Tidal Wave Twice Over* whelms Catania., SEEK SHELTER IN CAVES Messina Almost Entirely Destroyed, Bays Report—Other Places Said .to Have Been Wiped Off Map—Fire Fol lowa the Seismic Shocks In Some of the Affected Cities—Flying Squadron Rushes to Work of Rescue and Will Reach Scene Today,

Rome, Dec. * 29. —The provinces of Coeenza, Catanzaro and Reggio di Calabria, comprising the department of Calabria, which forms the southwestern extremity of Italy or “the, toe of the boot,” were devastated by an earthquake, the far-reaching effects of which were felt almost throughout the entire country. With the quake came a tidal wave and after it several cities were destroyed by fire. The town of Messina, in Sicily, was partly destroyed and Catania was inundated. In Messina hundreds of houses fell and many persons were killed. Larger Area Than In 1905. The fate of entire region within the zone of the earthquake is unknown, but the latest reports received indicate that the havoc has been great and the destruction to life and property terrible. All reports show that the present catastrophe embraces a larger area than the earthquake in 1905. The tidal wave which followed the earth shocks on the eastern coast of Sicily sunk vessels and inundated the lower part of Catania. It is known that a number of persons were killed at that place, but the rushing waters carried everything before them and caused such an indescribable confusion that it will be Impossible for some time to learn the damage done and the exact number of lives lost. In addition to the interruptions to the telegraph and telephone lines, land. Slides have obstructed the railways. Messina Buffers Most.

The Italian government proceeded energetically to relieve the widespread distress, concentrating at the points of greatest need troops and engineers. The city of Messina has suffered probably more than any other place, the latest information coming Indirectly from that quarter stating that two-thirds of the town, was destroyed and several thousand persons killed. The steamers Washington and Montebello, which were in that harbor, later proceeded t 6 Catania, loaded with injured who were so stupefied with terror that they seemed unable to realize what had happened, simply saying that it looked "s though the end of the world had co ->O. Not only di, f’atsnia sv" p ''r from the effects of a lid I wave, tut a sir Pur body of water hi: dried t! e han-’* . ’ 3 streets of Messina which flank the harbor, covering then with a thie': la’ or of mud, which rendered more difficult the succoring of the wounded, many of whom could be seen lying under the wreckage. It is reported that the villages of Faro and Ganzirri, adjoining Messina, have disappeared. The effects of the earthquake were aggravated by fire through an explosion of gas and flames which swept along several of the streets, adding terror upon terror. Saints Carried from Churches. In Calabria the region around Nonteleone was most affected. The village of Stefanaconi, the inhabitants of which number 2,300, was destroyed. Only five persons were killed, but many were injured. Mgr. Morabito, the bishop of Mileto, who distinguished himself in the earthquake of 1905, did valiant work again. He rushed into places where the ruin was greatest and brought aid and encouragement to all. In some places, such as Prizzo, Cotrone, Santa Severins and Piscopio, the people had the courage to enter the churches almost while they were falling and carry out the saints. They bore these in procession through the open country, invoking the mercy of God. In the mountainous regions inland the population has taken refuge in grottoes and caves, where peasants and priests, soldiers and persons of gentle birth are living in common. Their bed is the ground, and fires burn to keep off wild animals. In Albi alone 2.000 people are homeless. Extraordinary scenes are reported at Catania. Following a violent earth shock at half past five o'clock in the morning the sea rose tn a tremendous wave, which wrecked many smacks. It then suddenly retired from the shore and returned as quickly, causing further great damage and wreckage. Child Swept from Mother’s Arm. Cardinal Nava, archbishop of Catania, exhorted the people to be calm. He promised that the body of St. Agatha should be carried round in procession. St Agatha is regarded as the special deliverer from all scourges, and. according to history, the ptons

inhabitants or CgtseK diverted the course of the lava stream in 1669, when a fearful eruption of Mt Aetna took place, by extending the veil of St Agatha toward It, thus saving the city, as the lava was turned aside near the Benedictine monastery and descended into the sea. Among the children swept away by Catania tidal wave was a boy fifteen months old, who was torn from the arms of his mother. Fresh reports state that Reggio, the capital of the province of Reggio di Calabria, eight miles from Messina on the opposite side of the strait, has met the same fate as Messina, but these* statements have not been confirmed. A very severe shock was felt at Caltanlssetta, a city of Sicily, and much damage was done. Flying Squadron to, Rescue. A flying squadron, composed of the battleships Vittorio Emanuele, Regina Elena and Napoli, has been ordered to proceed to Messina. The squadron will arrive there today. Messina lies on the line of contact of the primary and secondary formations, on which boundary earthquakes between Aetna and Vesuvius are always most violent. The city was almost entirely destroyed by a quake In 1783. Professor Jicco, director of the Mt. Aetna observatory, says that the center of the earthquake was near the volcano. It is probable that further shocks will follow, but these are expected to be of minor force.