The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-04-14
PEN PICTURE OF
FIERY VESUv|US
Noted American Editor Who
Saw the Eruption Tells
His Story.
MOST AWFUL SPECTACLE
SINCE CHICAGO FIRE
View One of Terrible Beauty
and DesOlatiOn Beyond
Description.

Description.
description of the conditions surround
Ing Mount Vesuyius was written for
the Associated Press by Robert Under
wood Johnson, associate editor Of the
Century Magazine:
II had the unexpected opportunity to
realize the magnitude of the disaster
| by personal observation in a trip en-
tirely around Vesuvius
Terribly Impressive. C
"Since the Chicago fire 1 have seen
nothing 30 terribly impressive. Twenty
years will not repair the damage, In
Guiding the destruction of four whole
villages. Arriving from Rome two
hours late by train, 1 Joined party OF
two italian gentlemen and two Eng
llsh ladies', including Miss Underwood,
the Rome correspondent of the London
| Standard
Magnificent View
I'VE caught train from Tore An
nunziata, three miles this side of Pom
peii and two miles from the southern
end OF the wedge of lava which de-
stroyed Boscotrecase. We had a mag
nificent view OF the eruption, eight
miles away Rising at an angle Of 30
degrees, the vast mass of tumult
around us was beautifully accentuated
by the full moon, shifting momentarily
into new forms and drifting south In
IL. .lg.,-,
reaching to Capri.
AT Tore del Greco we ran under
this terrifying pail apparently a hun
drcd feet above, the solldlty of which
was soon revealed by the moonlight
The torches of the railway guards add
ed to the effect. but greatly relieved the
sulphurous darkness.
Like Underworld.
1--WE reached Tore AnnunZiata at 3
In the morning. There was little sug-
gestion of a disaster as we trudged
through the sleeping town to the lava.
two miles away. The brilliant moon
gave US a superb view OF the vol
cano, a gray brown mass rising. ex-
panding and curling with a profile like
monstrous cyclopean face. But moth
ing in mythology gives suggestion of
the fascination OF the awful force. pre-
senting the sublime beauty above but
in its descent filled with the mysterious
malignance OF Gods underworld
Lava Stopped at Cemetery.
I'VE reached tho lava at a pictur-
esque cypress planted cemetery on the
northern boundary OF Tore AnnunZia-
ia. 1t was as II the dead had effectual-
\ ly cried out to arrest the crushing river
of flame which pitllessly engulfcd the
statue of st. Anne. with which the peo-
pie of Boscoreal tried to stay 1t, as at
Catania the veil OF Saint Agathe is said
to have stayed a similar stream from
Mount Etna.
1--WE climbed on the lava 1t was cool
, above. but still alive with fire below.
We could see dimly the extent of the
, destruction beyond the barrier OF brown
=. which had closed the streets. torn down
the houses. invaded the vineyards and
j broken Cooks railways.
Scene Of Desolation.
c "A better idea OF the surrounding
[ was obtained at dawn from the rail-
q way. We saw north what was left oi
. Boscotrecase a great square stone
q church and q few houses inland In &
. | sea Of dull-brown lava. North and cas-
k rose q thousand patches OF blue smoke
8 like swamp misasma. All was dull ane
: desolate Stag with nowhere the famil
: lar serpentine forms OF tho old lave
:. streams In terrible contrast with tbs
:, volcanic evidences were strong cypress
trees and blooming camellias in
neighboring cemetery
Far Above the Mountain.
eve ate hasty luncheon before sun
rise. when the great beauty of tn
scene was revealed. The column nov
# seemed higher and more massive. risInj
d TO three times the height of Vesuvius
. Each portion had a ccncentrc motlol
o and new aspects. The south edge
y floating toward the sea showed ex
a uuislte curved surfaces, up to the up
II per moving current 1t was like tn
6 decoration of the side OF a Greek sarco
u phagus. AS n yellow dust hangs owe
2 Naples and hides the volcano, / coun
n myself fortunate to have seen all da
/ from leeward this spectacle of chang
u" ing. undlminishing beauty. My com
D. panions left for Naples after driyin
,9 TO Pompeii.
II Met New Yorker There.
After three hours sleep I went
/ the excavations, expecting 10 return
' Naples by the afternoon train. ou
mere met r, A Bowen of New Yorl
l. who gave such an alarming account {
his experience on the train comm
rs through on Monday. In the darkness a
ty Torre del Greco. that l concluded
tnh return by the north. first visiting th
in eastern wedge OF destruction while
tn was central at San Giuseppe.
,,ii Four Towns Destroyed.
ed with Mr.. Bowen | left Pompeii In
u car. expecting TO strike the edge OF TT
C. lava What was my surprise TO I'm
no new lava at San Giuseppe Fol
to,.,ns hero were DESTROYED In differeI