Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-04-12
Hundreds of People Perish in Volcanoes
Ashes and Fire
Thousands Flee in Destitution From the
Terrible Eruption
King and Queen Venture Forth to Aid in
Rescue Work

Naples, April 11.-According to in
formation received here last night,
probably 500 lives were lost.
Naples, April 11.-Yesterday was a
day of terror for the cities, towns and
country about Mount Vesuvlus. I'm
confirmed reports place the number
Of dead and injured at several hun
dred, but not many facts can be OBJ
tanned upon which to base an accu-
rate estimate. At midnight the situa-
ton appeared more assuring, the lava
streams having diminished in volume
and in some directions having stopped
altogether while copious rainfall is
looling the lava where 1t lies station
a4y.
Almost equal with the devastation
wrought by lava is the damage done
| by cipders and ashes, which in in
credible quantities have been carried
great distances. This has caused
! practical destruction of Sanguiseppe,
place of 5000 inhabitants. All but
200 OF the people had fed from San
giuseppe and these 200 assembled in
a church to attend mass. While the
priest was performing his sacred of
fee the roof fell in, and about go
persons were badly injured.
At Ottajano five churches and
three houses fell under the weight of
ashes and cinders, which lie four feet
deep on the ground. In the fall of the
buildings II persons were killed and
many injured. The village is com
pletely deserted. After the evacua-
ton of the place the barracks and
prisons fell in.
Reports from coast and inland
towns depict terrible devastation.
Sangiorgro, Cremona, Portici, Resina
and Tore del Greco have been al
most completely abandoned.
The inhabitants of Tore Annunzi-
alta are prepared to leave at mo-
ment's warning.
Somma Vesuviana is another viii
lage which has suffered most Sc
verely Most of the buildings in the
villages are of fimsy construction
and have fiat roofs, and so are but
poorly calculated to bear the weight
of ashes and cinders that have fallen
upon them. Inevitably it will be
! found that considerable number of
persons have persisted by the falling
of their homes. Although the erup-
ton of the volcano is less violent
than it was "a hours ago. ashes are
still falling in great quantities.
Refugees Pour Into Naples.
Refugees from threatened or de-
stroyed villages are pouring into
Naples by thousands. The roads are
crowded with professions of men and
women carrying crosses and crying
piteously.
Special railway trains, warships
and steamers are employed in con
veying homeless people to Naples,
Rome and Castellamare, while large
numbers of people are fleeing over
land in the direction of Caserta. Not
less than $4,000 refugees have reached
Castellamare, where the steamer
Princess Mafalda Is anchored. This
vessel left the island OF Capri with
900 passengers. including many for
eigners on board, but she was unable
70 reach her destination owing to
sitting clouds of ashes and fumes OF
gas from the volcano, which envel.
oped her a mile from the coast.
King Victor Emmanuel and Queen
Helena have further endeared them
selves to the people by their activity
in behalf of the sufferers, and the
government Is exerting itself for the
Irelief of the destitute. This work,
however. is INSTRUCTED by the conges-
ton of all means of transportation,
which are monopolized in the carrying
OF the people out of the zone of dan
ger.
The king and queen and their suites
arrived at Naples yesterday morning
from Rome. When the train reached
the station. the eruption OF the vol
cano was almost at its worst, but
both insisted upon leaving immediate
" for Tore Annunziata, and set out
for the afflicted districts.
Touching scenes greeted them
along the way. The soyereigns Wis
tied Santa Anasta, Cereola and Som
ma Vesuviana, where they were
greeted with great enthusiasm.
King Strikes Cyclone Of cinders.
Alta certain point the royal party
was struck by a small cyclone oil
ashes and cinders, The king sent his
motor car ahead at full speed and
crossed the path OF the cyclone IL