The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-04-18
EARTHQUAKE At zANTE,
The III Starred lonian Island Is
Visited Once More in Awful
Violence.
Houses Left Standing on Former
Occasions Utterly Destroyed
This Time.
VARY Few Uabitablc Placea on tho Island
Terrible Scenes of Panic and
Grief witnessed.

ATHENS. April 1.-THE island Of Zante.
one of the principal of the loniau Rroups
was visited by a most destructive earth
quake this morning, and a great part OF
the city was destroyed. The people we're
panic stricken, the authorities were hslp-
less. and the streets we're blocked with the
debris OF the wrecked houses. So far
twenty bodies have been taken from the
ruins, and it is feared that many are still
buried. while hundreds are injured. Most
of the inhabitants fed to the plains back
Of the city, where they wander about be-
moaning the loss of relatives and property
BY the recent earthquakes. The tents
which were taken to Zante to shelter the
homeless. were again set up as shelter 1or
tho women and children. Tbs city IS a
scene of utter desolation. and 1t IS DOUBT
full if il ever recovers from the series OF
disaster which have recently befallen u.
There will be great destitution, and outside
help is urgently needed.
The shock occurred at 1905 a. M, and most
of the buildings that s.ood erect in the
shocks of February and March were either
thrown down or shattered so rs to be I'M
safe for occupancy. Advices from the in
terror show that the whole island is devas-
sated. Many villages were destroyed and
il is thought that the loss of life has been
verv great, News of the disaster m in
very slowly, as communication with the in
terrier has been greatly interrupted BY the
destruction of many telegraph lines. A war
SHIP will be dispatched from Piraeus with
clothing, provisions and medicines for the
sufferers. 1t was pointed ont here that the
disaster is the confirmation of tho predic-
ton made a few days ago BY Prof. Falo.
who predicted the former earthquakes. and
that disturbances more serious than the re-
cent ones would occur AIril l6 or II. HIS
PREDICTION proved true, tor this mornings
shock was the worst that ever visited Zante.
which is noted for earthquakes.
Since 1880 this morning two more heavy
shocks have shaken the whole island Of
Zente, The people are fleeing from all
towns to find safety in plains and hilisides.
All are to, ror stricken. Thousandsa are with
out shelter and few have sufficient food.
NEW YORK, April 1.-THE Herald's Zante
dispatch, timed 9:20 p. NJ. April II. snys:
Another earthquake of terrific force oc'
cured at 7:O6 this evening. 1t was far more
violent than the first. The island is nov
entirely ruined. The shock lasted thirty-f
seconds. Since then the ground has been il
continual movement. The morning b'okt
with lovely weather and cloudless Sky
Without warning the island osciilated will
with intense violence from east to west fol
nearly a minute, Clouds Of dust iron
falling walls and houses and churche
enveloped the city. The al
ran with the shrieks of peopl'
buried beneath ruius. The atreets presento'
a terrible spectacle. Entire blocks o
houses were destroyed. There are assure:
in the roads over fifty yards in length. AL
the church belfries and hotels are eithe;
down or totterinR in the ruins. Not
dozen houses in the whole island are inhab
liable.
The killed in town number fourteen enG
in villages sixteen. The injured numbel
about 200. The victims are leas numerou'
than might be expected. owing to the houI
of the shock. In the villages destruction
is incaIculable. Not one stone 10 !ef
on another. Tho southeastern poin
of the island was nearest the center shock
There are fissures two feet wide in the di'
rection of the shock, east and west, pre-
cisely where the former ones originated
There was also a distinct tidal wave. Leve
ground sank one foot after the shock.