The Delta independent., 1891-04-30
AN EXPLOSION At ROME.
Two Hundred and Sixty-five Tons Of
Powder Explode and Play Havoc.

S~PtoAO o's 'oI
At about o'clock on the morning
OF the 23d a tremendous explosion shook
the ancient city Of Rome to its foundations
spreading terror and dismay on all sides.
The people rushed from their homes into
the streets, houses rocked, pictures fell
from the walls, thousands of panes Of
glass were broken everywhere. crocke-y
was shattered, furniture was overturned,
chimueys crashed down upon the roofs
and In some instances toppled over into
the streets below. The cupola OF the
House 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. Rents and cracks
appeared in the walls, the plaster fell from
the ceilings and general desolation pre-
vailed. In many instances people were
thrown from their beds by the shock,
which caused much alarm, and cries
terror filed the air as thousands Of fami-
lies rushed out into the streets.
The general feeling that prevailed was
that Romc had been visited by an earth
a.
might reduce the city to ruins. Many fell
upon their knees and prayed aioud.
Finally when something like order had
been restored the real cause of the explo-
sion became known. 1t was discovered
that the immense powder magazine at
Posse Pantalio, four kilometcrs distant
had exploded and that it had done i'm
nenSa damaaya IN tho which
| filed with soldiers. Happily, the officers
| in command OF the fort heard a rumbling
sound previous 10 che final explosion, and
hastily ordering the soldiers to leave the
fort succeeded in avertiDy a terrible dis
| aster.
Signor Nitora, minister of interior,
stated in the Chamber OF Deputies that
thirty eight persons were injured at the
scene of tae explosion, and that 200 in
Rome were slightly injured The minister
Of war said that there were e65 tons of
powder in the magazine, but that none of
the new explosive, balestite, was stored
| there. 1t is surmised that the explosion
resulted from spontaneous combustion OF
the powder.
| Two officers were dangerously wounded
and fully 100 civilians have been taken to
the different hospitals suffering from,
wounds and bruises caused By the explo-
sion. AT least seven lives were lost
The shock which caused Rome to trcmbie
did not spare the Vatican. That vererated
pile shook with the res: OF the Roman
buildings when the force of the explosion
was felt and several of the famous his
torical stained glass windows Of the old
buildings were shattered
The windows in the ancient Raphae,
| chambers and the stained glass in the
royal staircase, presented to Pope Plus
| IN by the King of Bavaria, were also ser
iously injured. Naturally the full amount
OF the damage done is not known a
present, and possibly may never be known
but all accounts agree that tho loss is very
| severe, the interiors of many of the old
palaces and churches having suffered 10
greater or less extent
| King Humbert and his military stan
accompanied by the Italian premier, the
| Marquis di Rudini, and By all the MEM
bers of the Italian cabinet have left the
city for the scene Of the disaster. He wa.
heartily cheered whenever his presence
became known TO the popu!acs and sol
ciery, and received IN ovation when b
visited the hospital to which severs
wounded had been carried in his carriage