The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-03-14
A TERRIBLE SCENE.
CRUSHED TO DEATH BY THE
WILD WOB.
MILAN, ITALY, Jan. 2j, 1873.

Yesterday the funeral services of
the late King of Italy, Victor Eman-
uel, were held in this city, as also in
other cities in the kingdom, by order
of the central authority at Rome
The great cathedral was accordingly
prepared for the solemn ceremonies,
by being draped in black. In the
center of the cathedral, in front of the
principal altar, a raised platform 60
| by 100 feet was constructed. On
the center of this was erected a square
temple on arches supported by four
octagon columns, ornamented by
eight statues of distinguished per-
sons. Continuous with these col
umns were four spires some % feet
high, ornamented by carvings and
paintings. From the center arose IA
spire about 100 feet high, also finely
carved and ornamcnted. Beneath
this central spire on four small circu-
lar columns, rested the coffin of the
king, trimmed with crimson and gold
drapery. The base of the temple was
covered with wreaths of fresh flowers,
one of which, resting under the coffin,
between the pillars, was in the like
ness of star, and cost $500. An OBJ
long wreath rested upon the coffin.
The marble columns of the cathedral
were draped with black velvet, and
various colored lamps were hung in
groups at convenient distances. High
up, in front of the altar, was the like
ness of star formed of gas Jets,
which in the dim light seemed to be
unsupported in space.
AS early as 9 o'clock in the morn
ing the streets were thronged with
crowds of people coming into the
city. They came i'll squads of 10 to
so, marching in the center of the
streets with measured tread, singing
familiar songs. On all the principal
streets it was the same, continuing
till about II o'clock. all aiming to get
as near to the cathedral and square
in front as they could. The streets
balconies and house tops were occu-
pied wherever they commanded a
view of the open square in which the
military were drawn up III line to the
number of 10000.
Tickets had been issued by the
city authorities, without which no one
was to be admitted to the cathedral.
The populace became eXasperated at
this apparent favoritism, and long be-
fore the door was opened threats
were made that this exclusion would
be resisted by force. The mob was
excited, impatient and unreasonable
as mobs always are. They assem-
bled in a dense mass before the prin-
cipal door, in front of which was a
squad of soldiers to receive tickets
and admit the holders. As the bell
struck the hour of /, the door, which
is about 20 feet wide, was opened,
the municipal officers, priests and
other dignitaries having previously
entered by private door. y rush
was made for the door by the densely
packed crowd. Those in front were
pressed irresistably forward by the
excited mass behind. The guards
struggled to keep their place, in vain,
and were forcibly borne forward into
the building with the wild stream
which had became as resistless as a
hurricane. In a very short time the
building was packed full, and yet the
living current flowed onward, amid
the deafening roar of shouts, curses,
groans and cries for help. Each one
was intent on self preservation, and
powerless to escape. No one could
move except with the current, which
was compact mass of humanity
swaying and quivering like bowl
of Jelly. Those who sunk down from
exhaustion or fainting, would not rise
again, but were helplessly trampled
upon, till hope and life went out to-
gether. \ friend who had been in
the crowd relates to me his expert
ence thus: IL tried To get out of the
great current, but could not. In the
struggle | was lifted from my feet and
borne along for some distance with
out touching the floor. On my right