The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-11-06
\ FIRE At THE VATICAN.
Rome's Greatest Sensation Since the
POpe'S Death.

Rome, November 1.-Fire broke OCT
at 800 o'clock this evening in that
portion of the vatican containing the
hall Of inscriptions. where the pope
gives his audiences, and which is ad-
jacent to the famous pinacoteca, or
gallery of pictures. The alarm caused
much confusion n excitement in the
vatican. Strenuous efforts were made
to control the flames. n the hremen
Of Rome We're called to lend their
help. At a quarter past IL o'clock the
fire was under control. No lives were
lost. No idea of the damage can yet
be obtained. The pope came to the
scene in person and remained until the
arrangements to fight the fire were
completed.
The fire caused a greater sensation
in Rome than any other event since
the death of Pope Leo. Fires in Rome
are exceptional because of the heavy
ton and brick construction Of int
buildings.
The first intimation of fire was had
| when smoke was seen issuing from the
| apartment of NJ. Marie. which is 10
! Gated above that Of Father Ehrie. the
| librarian. who ives over the library it
| self. NJ. Marie is a celebrated French
| reStorer of ancient manuscripts and IL
| Illuminated books. He is at present en-
| gagged in copying work and his frs
| reproductions have been selected for
| part of the vatican'S exhibit at the
| ST. Louis exposition.
| 1t is supposed that NJ. Marie forgot
| to take o precautions with his
| kitchen fire, which probably blazed up
| n lighted some nearby ~hangings.
Thus the fire started and it rapidly as
sumed such proportions that the gen.
L n u mo who yNQra tho first on re
| scene, gave the immediate general
| alarm. The entire palace aWOke anI
| there was much alarm. The Swiss
| guards, the firemen, gendarmes,
\ priests, and dOmestics all PUSHED hith-
er in ~cOnfusIon, asking what was the
matter, no one knowing where or what
the danger was or what to do. The
news of fire was Immediately conveyed
to the pope, h was found kneeling
in his chapel for his usual evening
prayer. He insisted 0 going at
once to the Gene. Notwithstanding
the fact that he was begged to think
first Of his own safety he proceeded
to the library. He grasped the gravity
of the situation at once and ordered
that the firemen of Rome be called.
They arrived in about ten minutes
The pOpe withdrew as soon as he saw
that everything possible was being dom
to fight the fire.
lntOrnlatlOn has Deen sent to tn2
Italian authorities. who hurried TO St.
Peters,. They were ~courteously invited
to enter. and did so. Therefore, for tic
first time since the fall of the temporal
power of the vatican the mayor OF
Rome, the project, police officials and
even SIgnor Ronchetti. the newly aD-
pointed Minister of Justice. entered tile
vatican in their official capacities.
They gave orders directing the work
of combating the flames and partIcf~
pated personally in the fight.
The entire museum of inscriptions,
the rooms of Father Ehrie. part of the
library and the printing house were
entirely flooded with water. 1t is III
possible to reach even an approximate
idea of the loss. Many articles were
saved, including some ancient and very
Valuab arms, which were recently
moved to this library from the Bor-
gea apartment. IN order to make room
for the new residence of the papal
secretary of state. Many things that
escaped the flames were injured by
water, and probably the precious phi
waite library of Pope Leo. which Father
Ehrie had been r~e-arranging in ac-
cordance with the wish Of the las
DOntIf.