The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-05-20
TRIP THROUGH ITALY
James Allison Takes in the
Ruins of Pompeii
MOUNT VESUVIUS
Gives a Good Description of
the Volcano.

Mr.. George Dixon of this city. has just
received a letter from Mr. James ALI
/ son, one of the United States commits
sioners at the worlds fair. Mr.. Allison
was appointed by President Mckinley and
left Wichita for Paris about six weeks
ago.
The letter is dated: Hotel Du Capt.
ole ct Pension, Lietro Girani, Rome, May
81, 1900" Following is an extract:
1--WE are now in Rome. We found that
we could take Thomas Coot excursion
ticket and live cheaper than to remain
in Paris. Finding that the exposition
would not give as anything to do until
near May 20 or June l, We decided to take
trip through Italy and Switzerland.
We left April %, and stayed Monday
night at AK La Berne Tuesday we
traleved all day. reaching Genoa at 6:45
p.s m. The day was charming and we
had most charming views OF the Alps.
From early morning until noon, the snow
slapped mountains were continually in
sight Some Of the mountain streams and
cascades we're very beautiful. We passed
through Turin, very fine city surround
ed by rich, fertile country.
I'VE found Genoa a very prosperous
city, s7lrrounded-hy hills. We visited the
various places OF Interest and then went
onto Rome. From Rome we went direct
to Naples, reaching there Thursday, April
&C. and remained there until April 30.
Naples has a population Of over half a
million people. The bay, we are told, is
one of the most beautiful in the world.
Four large war vessels belonging to Italy,
were in the bay. The shipping interests
from this point are very large. The city
seems very much crowded and a large
number of the population are poor. From
seeing the IeCpe on the street, you would
eorcluda. that they had taken the last
meal en- hand, and from the number Of
little stalls you see everywhere selling
something to eat, you would also con-
clude that majority OF the people only
brought enough for one meal at a time.
The vegetable places are also numerous
Mix wagons are not needed here. About
s o'clock In the morning and o'clock in
the evening you see large herds OF goats
driven along the streets and sidewalks,
ard these are MIXED wherever they find
customer to buy. the milk. Those who
are toe high-toned to buy goat milk,
wait for the cows to be driven in and
MIXED in front OF their doors. So there
is no chance for palming off watered milk
in Naples. The National museum here is
very beautiful.
ION Friday we made the trip TO Mount
Vesuyius. This is about twelve miles
from our hotel. The mountain is said to
be about 1G 600 feet high. We had to wind
around the mountain for miles with car
riayes When we were about three
fourths O: a mile from the crater, we
took an elevated railroad and went up
to within twenty minutes walk OF the
top Of the mountain. Starting at a. m,
we reached the to7 Of the mountain at
i p. M from here we got fine view Of
the whole mountain and country around
it: also a fine view of the crater. The
smoke coming out of this all the time,
is something like a confagration Of ten
or twelve large frame houses in the last
stage of being consumed. From where
we stood, we also saw the red flame
belching out, but this does not reach the
top Of the crater. While we were there,
it threw out some large balls OF lava.
With every swell Of smoke and flame
comes a sound that shakes the earth and
sounds like a large cannon fired off under
meath the mountain. The next Saturday
we visited the ruins OF Pompeii. This
is also very wonderful. In 1874, Nesuvius
threw out great streams of lava, which
extended down the mountain a mile or
more.
''The climate here IS delightful. All
tropical fruits are found. Trees now
loaded with lemons and oranges are seen
on every hand The olive orchards are
most extensive. We will be back in
Parts on or before May 10"