Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 99, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 March 1910 — CRATERSFORMING ON MOUNT AETNA [ARTICLE]

CRATERSFORMING ON MOUNT AETNA

Lava Now United In Stream 24 Feet High, 1,200 Wide.

STEADILY GROWING IN VOLUME Village of Niddlo, Near Nlcolosl, la Completely Covered and Many Huts and Farm Houses Have Been Destroyed.

Catania, March 25. —Several new craters are forming on Mount Aetna, making, since the eruption began, about a dozen new openings that have appeared. The lava has united In one vast stream twenty-four feet high and 1,200 feet wide. It is steadily growing in volume as It advances, carrying destruction in Its path. It has covered four and one-half miles since Thursday and Is now wit'.'in tour miles of Bclnasso, and three miles from Nlcolosl. The latter, however, is surrounded by hills and hence Is not threatened with destraction, whereas Belposso and Borello are exposed to danger. If the eruption continues, the last two named places will be invested within two days'

Huge clouds of smoke envelop the volcano. Showers of lapilli are frequent. Subterranean rumblings and slight earth shocks are felt intermittently. The lava has devasted great tracts of cultivated lands, such as vineyards and orchards and has wrought havoc in the woods.

The village of Niddlo, in the neighborhood of Nicolosi, has been completely covered and many huts and farm houses have been destroyed. The Inhabitants of the villages on the southern slopes of the mountain are in a state of panic, but they nevertheless cling to their homes, refusing to forsake them until the last monent.

Great confusion prevails owing to the holding of prayer meetings and displays of characteristic religious frenzy. Every church in Nicolosl is crowded with panic-stricken people. Hundreds of candles are lighted in front of every image and all the saints are invoked. Troops have been dispatched to the Mount Aetna district to keep order and to assist in the evacuation of the village. Many American tourists have arirved at Nicolosl, but- they are forcibly prevented by the police from approaching the danger point. Cardinal Francica-Nava, archibishop of Catania, went to Nocolosi to comfort the people. The whole population followed him to the verge of the lava stream, singing penitential psalms and praying aloud. The cardinal then visited Belpasso, where the panic is even greater. The inhabitants there knelt in the square and Implored the cardinal to bless them and beseech God to avert the scourge. The cardinal knelt with them and prayed and then blessed them.