The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-15
LIKE GIGANTIC FOUNTAIN
 OF FIRE WAS 1NT. VESUVZUS
CLAIM WOMAN IS
 NOT GORKY'S WIFE

O'clock Sunday morning and lasted until 8 o'clock. The mountain which hither- to had been silent, suddenly gave out deafening roar and great rent was made. Huge solid rocks were hurled sky ward. Some of them fell near the ob- servatory threatening to crash in the roof. There was no scoria in this first dis charge. but solid bulletllke stones, which cut the roof or damaged the windows.
 At midnight Saturday l ordered tho women and children of the household re- moved. This was just before the rain Of huge stones began, and l was left with Professor Ferret of New York my Amer lean assistant and two domestics. There was scarcely any eating and all domestic order was abandoned.
 Stones Hurled 2500 Feet.
 "Throughout Sunday enormous solid blocks Of stone rose to height of 2500 feet from the crater, while ashes and sand were thrown much higher. but to- wards Monday the terrible shocks of earthquake gradually diminished. One of the worst features of the eruption was the unusual extent of the electrical phe- nomena, the darkness being broken by vivid flashes of lightning giving the sky a blood like color with short, heavy peals of thunder interspersed. These moments were terrible-very terrible. Yes, 1t was a veritable he'll
 Asked if his scientific observation had yielded valuable results, Professor Mat teuccl replied
 "Observation was extremely difficult under such disturbing conditions. The seismatic instruments were badly affected by the electrical intensity. each explo- sion being announced by a violent move ment in the instruments. which seemed ready to burst 10 pieces.
 Among Most Important in History.
 Compared with former great erup- tions," continued the observer, this is one of the most important in the history of Vesuvius. It's effects are less terrible than those of the eruption in the year 79, when Pompeli was buried, but 1t is equal in intensity to the great eruptions og 1881 and 1872 What results this erup- ton will yield to science is not yet cer- tain Eruptions are not exact indice. You cant count on Vesuvius Each of it's eruptions has it's characteristics. This one was marked by an abundance of electrical phenomena. I have already collected quantities of cinders and scorla for comparison with similar matter from other eruptions. and later I will collect large stones.
  shelves, on which were plates containing einders varying in size and bottles filled i with ashes There were also in the room enormous stones. each labelled with the date of its ejectment from the volcano. Asked concerning Mount Vesuyius in the future. Professor Matteucci said: Future Is Uncertain. T am unable to tell with any degree of certainty. I sincerely hope this erup- ton fig over. But who can tell whether another terrible convlIlsion may not come during the next minute? However, all my indications point 10 period of calm for the next few days, and, therefore. am hopeful. l was hopeful last night. and serious explosion occurred at 10 O clock in the evening. without any warn ! ing"
 1 He then led the way to his sleeping quarters. which showed the confusion that | existed throughout the domestic branch | Of the observatory during the eruption. As he turned to the portico. Vesnvius gave another deep groan, ending with a 1 fearful explosion, which blew off DOT l ton of its new cone
 See" exclaimed the professor, the
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