The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1893-04-22
A CITY LAID IN RUINS.

FrighttuI Disaster at zante, in the Medit,
6rran6an, from an Earthquake.
ATHENS, Apul 4i.-Ihc island OF
Iante, one of the principal Ionian
Islands, was visited by most dcstruct-
i've earthquake this morning, resultin.
IN great loss of life and property. The
shock appears to have been most viu-
lent i'll the city Of Zante, the greater
part OF which was DESTROYED. The pco-
pie are panicstricken and the author
lues helpless. The streets are impass-
able, being filed with masses of stone
and timber, the wreckage of the houses
which were thrown down by the earth
quake.
Thus far the bodies of twenty persons
killed by fallen walls have been taken
from the debris and it is fear, i that
many more dead are still in the ruins.
The number of persons injured runs up
into the hundreds. Everything is in
confusion and the work Of searching for
bodies and for the injured cannot be pur-
sued systematically. The greater portion
of the inhabitants have fed to the
plains back of the city, where they
wander about in a distracted manner
bewailing the loss of their homes and
property. A large number of tents that
were taken to Iante to shelter the pco-
pie who We're rendered homeless by the
former earthquakes have been again set
up and under them some of the women
and children have taken refuge.
lhe Greek government has acted
promptly Ill rendering aid to the suffer
ers by the earthquake The two Greek
ironclads, Hydra and Spezzia, have al
ready started for Xantc, having on board
detachment Of engineers as well as
provisions and medicines for the survi-
vors of the calamity.
The shock occurred at half-past : 4.
NJ. Most of the buildings that stood
erect after the shocks of February and
March We're either thrown down or
shattered SO as to be unsafe for
occupancy. The church offs Dionvsius
and the government offices were thrown
down.
Advices from the interior show that
the whole island has been devastated.
Many villages have been DESTROYED and
1t is thought that the loss of
lie has been very great. News
OF the disaster comes in very
slowly, as communication with the
interior of the island has been greatly
interrupted by the destruction of many
OF the telegraph lines. The full extent
of the calamity cannot be estimated ut
present. Warships will be dispatched
from the Pirurus with clothing, provi-
sions and medicines for the sufferers.
1t Is pointed out here that the Iante
disaster is a confirmation of the prcdic-
ton made Il few days ago by Prof Falb,
who predicted the former earthquakes,
that disturbances more serious than the
recent ones would occur on April is or
II. His prediction has proved true for
this mornings chnol- il tho yvorst Oh o..i-
that has ever visited /antC, which is
noted for Its earthquakes
The island of Iante is about ten miles
south of Cephalonia. Itis about twenty
our miles long and twelve miles wide.
The east coast has harbor, and on this
is located the city Of Zante. The
greater part Of the interior CON
slsts of an extensive plain. The
area of the island is 277 square miles
and the population is about 1900. The
city of Xantc Is built chiefly in the Ital-
ian style, the houses being seldom more
than one story high The principal
street is broad and handsome; the mar
kct place is spacious; churches are
numerous and decorated in a costly
manner. The population is 1900 In
1871 the city was nearly destroyed by
an earthquake, and three months ago il
again suffered, many people being
killed.
The city presents a scene Of dcsoIa-
ton and il il doubtful if it ever RECEIVERS
from the series of misfortuncs that have
befallcn ii within the past three months.
There is bound to be an enormous
amount of suffering and outsiders will
be urgently asked fer aid to prevent
ckncSs and starNation.