Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-04-30
Holy City Nearly Destroyed by
an Explosion of Powder.
HUNDREDS OF WOUNDED
Many People Killed Instantly By the
Terrific Shock.
THE VATICAN BADLY SHATTERED

STAFF Among the Rescuers--The Romans
Terrorized by the Belief that an Earth
quake Had Wrecked Their City--Great
Destruction to Property--Palaces kand
Churches Damaged.
ROME, April 23.-At 4 o'clock this
morning tremendous explosion shook
this city to its foundation, spreading
terror and dismay on all sides. The
people rushed affrighted from their
homes into the streets, houses rocked,
pictures fell from the walls, thousands
Of panes of glass were broken, every
where crockery was shattered, furniture
was 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
rash which added further to the feel
ing of horror which had spread through
Rome.
The scenes in the streets and in the
houses after this fearful explosion have,
possibly, never before been equaled in
dramatic effect during the history of
modern Rome. All the thoroughfares
were strewn with bricks, stones, splin-
tiers and other debris hurled there by
the force of the powerful conclusion
which had caused Rome to totter on
Its foundations. 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 cup
boards were burst open and the tables,
chairs and other pieces of furniture
were thrown crashing to the floor.
Rents and cracks appeared in the
walls, the plaster fell from the ceilings
and general desolation prevailed. In
many instances people were ierked
from their beds by the shock which
caused so much alarm and cries of
terror filled the air as thousands of
families rushed out into the streets.
Many OF them left their homes in their
night dresses and in other states of un-
dress. Parents with their children in
their arms, children leading aged
parents, the younger helping the elder
made for the streets as if their only
chance of safety depended upon their
being, gable to reach the open air.
The general opinion that prevailed
was that Rome had been visited by an
earthquake shock and that 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. Ii was dis
covered that the immense powder mag
azine at Pozzo Pantaleo four kilometres
from here, had exploded, and that it
had caused enormous damage to the
neighboring fort, which was filled with
soldiers. The reports of the affair
which have reached here add that hap
PLY the officer in command of the fort
heard rumbling sound previous to the
final explosion and hastily ordering the
soldiers to leave the forts, succeeded in
averting a terrible disaster. As it was
several peasants who were in the vi
cinity of the scene of the explosion were
killed outright and number of others
were more or less injured
As this dispatch is sent, 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, have left this city for
the scene OF the disaster.
Around the ruins of the powder
magazine and of the fort a Gordon Of
troops has been drawn in order to keep
back the crowds of people who, now
that the cause of the explosion is
known, have focked to Pozzo Pantaleo
eager to see the powder blackened
ruins. The troops, however, have in
structions not to allow any civilians TO
pass through Gordon until the official
investigation now being made into the
origin of the explosion has been COM
pleted.
Later-Further facts are gradually |
coming to light in regard to the shock |
which spread so much terror throughout
Rome and its neighborhood this morn
ing. All the houses within radius of |
kilometre of the scene of the explosion
are seriously damaged.
Two officers were dangerously
wounded and fully 1870 civilians have
been taken to the different hospitals
suffering from wounds or bruises caused |
by the explosion.
King Humbert, who was heartily |
cheered whenever his presence became
known to the populace and soldiery,
used his own carriage to convey
wounded people to the hospital, a fact |
which won him vociferous applause
when 1t became generally known. The |
races, which included the Italian derby, |
which were to have been run this after
noon, have been postponed on account |
of the explosion.
The shock which caused Rome to
tremble did not spare the vatican. The
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 shattered.
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 seri-
ously injured.
Naturally the full amount of the
damage done is not known at present |
and possibly 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
greater or lesser extent. The exact |
number of killed and wounded is also |
unknown at present
Another report says that five people |
have been killed in addition to the large |
number OF wounded already mentioned,
and that 40 small houses have been re-
duced to heaps of ruins by the shock
following the explosion.
The magazine contained $50 tons of |
powder. The cause of the explosion is
mystery.
ROME, April 24.-The explosion of 265
tons of gunpowder in the powder magazine
at Pozzo Pantaleo. which caused serious |
damage and loss of life crentad Grant |