New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-20
EARTHQUAKES IN ITALY.
SEVERAL. PEOPLE KILLED AND MANY
INJURED
r,,prr THOUSAND HOUSES DAMAGED IN FLOR
ENCE-GREAT LOSS IN THE COUNTRY DIS
TRIcTs-sCENf;s OF TERROR
AND CONFUSION.


Florence, May 1s-The population Of this city
was thrown into a state of panic last night by
.eries of earthquakes that did much damage here
and in other places. People who were in their
houses when the first shock came ran terror
stricken into the streets. and their cries could be
heard throughout the city. The shocks were so
violent that houses swayed like ships in sea-
way. and in number OF cases roofs fell in inJur-
ing many persons who had not sought safety in
flight
The widest scenes were at the theatres. where
performances were going on. as usual. The first
shock caused those in the audiences to look Won
deringly at each other. Then the earth sWayeu
again. and amid shouts Of Earthquake! the
oro,vds ma de rushes for the exits No respect was
shown for the women weak aged and in the
crush many were badly hurt. Upon reaching the
streets the crowds from the theatres met those
who had fed from their dwellings. and the excite
roent that ensued made confusion worse con-
founded
At Grassna. a suburb Of Florence. the shocks
were very violent. The extent of the earth move
ment may be judged from the fact that loaded
omnibus was overturned. Twelve residents oi
Grassina were hurt. \ number Of persons refused
n re-enter their houses during the night. They
remained on the streets until after daylight this
morning. -
After the first severe shocks there were re-
neated lighter ones The seismic disturbance was
fslt AT Iucca Pontedera, and generally through
out Tuscany. The centre Of the movement was AT
Florence !,
Around Florence n number of houses were ue-
stroved and four persons were killed. III Is ne
jIeved that later reports from the country anectcd
will show that there has been considerable num-
Der Of lives lost.
At Lappaggi. a village near Grassina, no less
than forty houses were thrown from their founda-
tions and completely wrecked. The body OF
young mother with her infant clasped to her heart
was found here. She had evidently attempted 10
flee but together with her child was crushed 10
death beneath the falling walls Of her home
Great damage was done in Florence. To-day an
Investigation was made by the municipal authorl-
ties who estimated that 5000 houses were dam
aged The Cathedral O-a Cattedrale oil SANTA
Maria del Fiore). an imposing example OF ltahah
Gothic architecture and probably the most re-
markable building of its kind in Europe was
somewhat damaged
The seismic manifestation Of last night was IN
most violent that Florence has known since 1850
the earthquake Of $780, which Is historical In the
annals of the city. having been sllghter .
The population Of the city is awed Dy lhe iis
aster Crowds wander about the streets. theiT
only tonic of conversation being the shccKs
Everybody is anxiously awaiting the coming oi
the night the fear being general that ear'h-
Quakes will again occur 49, >-,
A dispatch received this e"enng from Napes
4he scene of so many disastrous earthquakes
saws there has been no disturbance in that as
trct So far as known now the disaster was
worst at Grassina.