The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-14
THE DISASTER AT ISCHIA.
A Few Incidents of the Terrible
Night at Casamicciola.
Statements of SurvivOrs-A Visit to the Ru-
ms and How They LoOked-A Warm
ing That Was Unheeded.
London Times, July 81.

London Times, July 81.
Many of the survivors owe their escape to
having been at the time in the theater. situate
at a fortunate distance from stone walls. 1t was
q slight, temporary construction of wood, COW
cred with a velarium OF canvas. Signor Giovan-
nj Cas1ni, OF Arezzo, who was present in II,
passed through Rome last night, and the fol-
lowing is taken from a description given by
him to the Captain Fracassa at was about
BIS when my friend proposed that should
go to the theater. AT the half hour the curtain
rose; but scarcely were the frat words of the
comedy spoken when wefelJ tremendous shock.
and I was thrown several feet forward and
fell headlong. Imagine, at the same time, a
roaring noise, like that of heavy railway train
rushing at full speed onto an iron bridge. While
the schock lasted the ground rose and fell like
the sea during storm. What INN edlately fol-
sr7a,s ascannot tell; everything weighs upon me
IKE the night incubus-like horrible
...S.n.N remember only that we were heap
of human beings tumbled together; that for a
moment endeavored tc extinguish the fire,
and then out we rushed in a torrent. 1 next re-
member holding on to the trunk of tree, and,
casting my eyes upward, saw its branches
were filled with human beings who had clam
bered up. Pieces of wood were piled together
TO light bonfreN on the shore signal for
help. saw all rNund indescribably strange
cr0wd-women in their night attire only; old
men in their dressing -gOwns, aud naked children.
During the night half-clothed women were rush
ing madly about like furios among the ruins,
with torches in their hands. calling loudly for
their dear ones. Every now and then squalid,
unknown figure, with eyes wildly staring, would
rush up to one, asking: Have you seen my
husbandf Have you seen my sOuf"
The Syndic OF Casamicciola reports that four
days before the catastrophe dull subterranean
Iumbling was heard throughout the island but
no one gave any thought to It, At Forio the
number of victims is estimated at 800, at Lacco
Ameno 800, and at Fontaha SerIar 200. Among
those who escaped were Prince Glustiniani
Bandini and his son, who returned safe to Rome
last night. Under the ruins of the Asylum of
the Miserieordia alone twenty-four children lie
buried. Fortunately the want of shelter is no
great privat1ou to the remaining in inhabitants at
this time of the year But already food is want
ing. and the Minister of the Interior has tele-
graphed giving the fullest powers as regards ex-
penditnre to the authorities. Subscription lists
are being opened everywhere. The Bank OF
Naples has headed one list with 100,OO0f, the
Finance 150,000f, the Pope 20000f, and collec-
lions are being made from house to house. The
Commentators Lagana, director OF the Rubatino
Florio Steamship Company, has sent all of the
company's vessels in the port of Naples to per-
form gratuitous service between Ischta and the
mainland. great number of pitch torches and
an electric light apparatus have been sent over
to the island. All the ambulance corps of the
regiments in Naples and the spring cars OF the
Rcd Gross have Opau utiliZpd