The Portland daily press., 1895-05-20
Disturbance Feared

Florence. May 19.-The population of this
city was thrown into state of panic last
night by series of earthquakes that did
much damage here ana in other places. The
people were in the houses when the first
shock came and ran terror stricken into he
streets and their wild cries could be heard
everywhere. The shocks We're so violent
the houses swayed like ships in a seaway.
In number Of cases the roofs fell in, in
juring many persons, who had not sought
safety In fight.
The widest scenes were at the theatres
where performances were going on. The
first shock caused those in the audiences
to look wonderingly at each other and then
the earth swayed again, and amid shouts of
earthquake" the crowds made wild rushes
for the exits. Mad with terror, no respec:
was shown for women. the weak and aged.
in the crush were badly hurt. Upon reach
ing the streets, crowds from the theatres
met those who had fed from the dwellings,
and the excitement that ensued made con-
fusion noise Confounded. At Grassina, a
suburbs of Florence, he shocks were very
violent. The extent of the cart b movement
may be judged from tie fact that Loaded
omnibus overturned. Twelve residents OF
Grassina were hurt. A number of persons
refused to reenter the houses during the
night. They remained on the streets until
after daylight this morning. Many took
shelter in vehicles. After the first severe
shocks they were repeated by lighter ones.
Seismic disturbance was felt at Lucia. Pom
tedera and generally throughout the
Country. The centre Of move
ment was Florence. where, for very many
years, nothing similar has occurred. Around
Florence number of houses wore destroyed
and four persons killed. at the tiIe of
sending this despatch full details are want
ing, but 1t is believed that later reports
from the country affected, will show con-
siderable number of lives LOST.
4 he Prince of Naples. tie Crown Prince,
residing in the Royal Palace here visited
severE points during tine night, inspecting
the damage done. At four this morning he
started for Grassina.
EXTENT OF DAMAGE WlDENS.
AS further reports of the earthquake come
to hand the extent of the disaster widens
At Lappaggi, village near Grassina ten
houses were thrown from their foundations
and con! pletely wrecked. A sad feature OF
he disaster at this place was the finding of
the body OF yourg mother with her infant
clasped 10 her beart. She evidently at
tempted 10 fee. but with the child.
crushed to death beneath tile falling walls
OF her home.
Great damage was done in Florence. To-
day an investigation was made by the
municipal authorities. who estimated that
Sc0O houses were di mage .s@s The Cathedral
Tia Castedrale Di Santa Maria Del Flole,
an imposing example OF Italian Gothic
arch ecture. probab bly, the ost remarkable
building OF its kind in Europe. was some
what damaged. Tho diIettor of the Conser-
yatory Of whom many enxions inquiries was
made today, does not venture TO prophesy
n to the recurrence of the disturbances.
Further shock are feared.
The seismic manifestations last night we're
the most violent Florence has known since
1445. the earthquake of 17G0, which is
bisto ricnl in the annals of the city. ,having
been lighter. The population of the city
are awed by the disaster, and crowds
wander about the streets, the only topic of
conversation being concerning the shocks.
Everybody is anxiously awaiting the coming
of night. fear being general hat the quakes
will again occur.
Many persons have entirely alb ndoned
their homes and intend 10 pass the night in
places where there will lie no danger of
buildings falling upon them. A despatch
received This evening from Naples, the
scene of so many disastrous earthquakes,
says there is no disiur bance in that district
AS far as known the disaster was the worst
at Grassna.