Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-04-09
Vesuvius Causes Terror.

The hope that Mount VesuVius was
becoming calm was dissipated yesterday,
when the volcano became more active
than ever. The panic has spread to
Naples. Two strong earthquake shocks
which shattered windows and cracked
the walls OF buildings we're experienced
Yesterday. The entire population rush
ed to the streets in terror, many persons
CRYING: 'The Madonna has forsaken
US; the end OF the world has come.
NJ trace remains OF BOsco.recase, COM
mune on the southern declivily OF the
mountain, where up to 4S hours ag'
10 600 persons lived and Terre An
nupziata. on the shores of the Gull OF
Naples. one mile to the southwark, IS
almost surrounded by the invading lava,
and has been evacuated by Its ~, Voo
inhabitants. The people were carried to
Naples by trains, street GERS. military
carts and steamships. Similar means oil
transportation are being employed 10
bring away the people from Tore Del
Greco. The police aud carbineers are
guarding the abandoned houses, and
several members of the government also
are there.
A telegram received from the mayor
of San Sebastino, a village near the oo.
serystory on the northwest declivity OF
Vesuvius, says the lava is approaching
rapidly. and that the people are terror
stricken. They have been for nights
without sleep, he says, are destitute and
beg that assistance be given them.
The work of succor is hampered, ow'
ing TO delays to the railway service,
which is interrupted by red-hot stones,
thrown 10 height of 5000 feet, falling
on the tracks.
As yet it is impossible to count the
craters that have opened and from which
stresms of lava have flooded the besllti-
fol, prosperous and happy land lying on
The southeast shores of the Gulf OF
Naples.
The atmosphere is heavily charged
with electricity aud now and then The
flashes of lightning are binding, while
the detonation from the volcano resem-
bic those of terrible explosions.
The churches of Naples we're open all
Saturday night and were crowded with
panic stricken people. Members OF the
clergy are doing their utmost 10 calm
their fesrs, but the effects OF their argu
ment. 20 almost for naugbt when re-
newed earthquake shocks are expert
enced.
With the danger and horror OF the
situation aside, Vesuyius presents one OF
the most splendid sights imaginable.
The mountain of FIRE, whose speech is
by detonation and whose acts are destruc-
ton, seems like an enraged giant deter
mined to make the pigmies of earth feel
the might of his wrath. Here and there
on the mountain side stand the blasted
trunks of pine trees, their bare branches
outstretched as though in protest against
the devastation the volcano has wrought.
Prisoners in jail on the mountainside
went mad with terror and mutinied, and
we're only partially quieted by being
taken to Venice. But their fears have
been communicated to the prisoners there
who may rebel at an! moment. The
situation is critical.
Breathing is momentarily becoming
more difficult because of the poisonous
fumes and smoke, while the hot ashes
which are still falling tend to make life
q burden.
Contrar1 TO expectations, the sea has
not yet shown signs of being affected by
the phenomens, but fears are entertained
that tidal waves may yet come, and many
craft been put to sea, Visitors 10
Naples are avoiding the hotels on the
sea front, and the people living there
are beginning to leave for higher sItl-
tudes.
Though there is much misery, up to
the present time there have been no fatali-
ties, except at POrtici, where al old wo'
,oar d;.d snnnosedlv from freight