Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1891-04-29
MIGHTY SHOCK AT ROME.
The Holy City Shaken by a Tremendous
Explosion.

The Holy City Shaken by Tremendous
Explosion.
ROME, April 23.-At about o'clock
this morning a tremendous explosion
shook this city to its foundations,
spreading terror and dismay on all
sides. The people rushed frightened
from their homes into the streets,
houses rocked, and pictures fell from
the walls. Thousands of panes of
glass were broken, and every
where crockery was shattered
and furniture overturned. Chimneys
crashed down upon the roofs, and in
some instances toppled over into the
streets below. The cupola of the
houses of Parliament, Immediately after
the explosion, shook violently, and then
collapsed with crash which added
still further to the feeling of horror
which had spread through Rome
The scenes in the streets and in the
houses after this fearful explosion have
never before been equaled in dramatic
effect during the history of modern
Rome. All the thoroughfares were
strewn with bricks, stones, lsplinters,
and other debris hurled there by the
force of the powerful conclusion which
had caused Rome to totter on it's founda-
tons. People of all ages and conditions
were rushing, pale with fear, about the
streets, trying to seek consolation
from others who were as thoroughly
terrified as themselves. In the
houses doors, windows and cupboards
were burst open, rents and cracks ap-
peared in the walls, the plaster fell
from the ceilings, and general desola-
ton prevailed. In many instances peo-
pie were thrown from their beds by the
shock which caused 80 much alarm, and
cries of terror filled the throats of
thousands of families who rushed out
into the streets. Parents with their
children in their arms, children lead
ing aged parents, the younger helping
elders, all made for the streets as If
their only chance of safety depended
upon their being able to reach the open
air.
The general opinion that prevailed
was that Rome had been visited by an
earthquake shock, and that a second
shock might reduce the city to ruins.
Many fell upon their knees and prayed
aloud. Finally, when something like
order had been restored the real cause
Of the explosion became known. It
was discovered that the immense pow
der magazine at Pozze Pantaloo, four
kilometres from here, had exploded,
and that it had caused enormous dam
age to the neighboring fort which was
filled with soldiers. The reports of the
affair which have reached here add
that, happily, the officer, in
command of the fort heard
rumbling sound previous to
the final explosion, and, hastily order
ing the soldiers to leave the fort, he sue
ceeded in averting a terrible disaster.
AS it was several peasants who were in
the vicinity of the scene of the explo-
sion were killed outright, and num-
Der of more or less injured. King Hum
bert and his military staff, accompanied
by the Italian premier, the Marquis di
Rudini, and by all the members of the
Italian cabinet, left this city for the
scene of the disaster.
All the houses within radius of
kilometre of the scene of the explosion
are seriously damaged. Two officers
120 civilians have been taken to the
different hospitals, suffering from
wounds or bruises caused by the ex-
plosion. King Humbert, who was
heartily cheered whenever his pres
ence became known to the populace
and soldiery used his own carriage to
convey wounded people to the hospital.
The races, which included the Italian
Derby, which were to have been run
this afternoon, have been postponed on
account of the explosion.
The shock which caused Rome to
tremble did not spare the Vatican.
That venerated pile shook with the rest
of the Roman buildings when the force
of the explosion was felt, and several of
the famous historical stained glass win
dows of the old buildings were shat
tered. The windows in the ancient
Raphael chambers and the stained glass
in the royal staircase, presented to Pope
Plus TX. by the King of Bavaria. were
also seriously injured. Naturally the
full amount of damage done is
not known at present, and, posi-
bly,, may never be known, but
all accounts agree that the loss is very
severe, the interiors of many of the old
palaces and churches having suffered to
a greater or lesser extent.
Five people have been killed in addi-
ton to the large number of wounded
already mentioned, and forty small
houses have been reduced to heaps of
ruins by the explosion. The magazine
contained $50 tons of powder. The
cause of the explosion is unknown.