Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1906-04-19


vealed by the moonlight. The torches
of the railway guards added to the
effect but greatly relieved the sulphu-
rous darkness.
I'VE reached Tore Annunziata at
three in the morning. There was lit
tie suggestion of disaster as we
trudged through the sleeping town
TO the lava, two miles away. A bril-
liant moon gave us superb view of
the volcano, a gray-brown mass, ris-
ing, expanding and curling in with a
profile like monstrous cyclonean
face. But nothing in mythology gives
suggestion of the fascination of this
awful force, presenting sublime beau
ty above, but in its descent filled with
the mysterious malignance of the
gods OF the underworld.
I'VE reached the lava at a pictur-
esque, cyprus-planted cemetery on the
northern boundary OF Tore Annun-
ziata. 1t was as II the dead had
effectually cried out to arrest the
crushing river of farle which pitt
lessly engulfed the stature OF Saint
Anne, with which the people of Bosco
Rale tried to stay 1t, as at Catania the
veil Of Saint Agathe Is said to have
stayed similar stream from Mount
Etna. We climbed on the lava. 1t
was cool above but still alive with
fire below. At dawn we saw north
what was left of Bosco Trecase-a
great square stone church and a few
houses, an island in sea of dull
brown lava North and east rose
thousand patches of blue smoke, like
swamp miasma. All was dull and
desolate Stag with nowhere the ia
miliar serpentine forms of the old
lava streams. In terrible contrast
with the volcanic evidences were
strong Expresses and blooming ca.
mellias in a neighboring cemetery.
Four Towns Destroyed.
After sunset the great beauty of
the scene was revealed. The column
now seemed higher and more mas
sive. rising to three times the height
IL Vesuvius. Each portion had con-
centric motion and new aspects. The
south edges, floating towards the sea,
showed exquisite curved surfaces, due
to the upper moving current. 1t was
like a decoration of the side of a
Greek sareophagus. AS yellow dust
hangs over Naples and hides the vol
cano count myself fortunate to have
seen all day from the leeward this
spectacle of changing. undiminishing
beauty left Pompeii in a car ex-
pecting to strike the edge OF the lava.
What was my surprise to find new
lava at San Giuseppe, Four towns
here were destroyed in different ways
by rain, cinders and ashes, which
could not be skirted for they lay
everywhere In mass which had bro
ken nearly every roof within an area
of 80 miles by TO- From the lava,
which was moving several feet a min.
ute, we had no difficulty in escaping.
AT Bosco Trecase carbineer
drove the people before the fiery ava
lanche, but the fiimsily built houses
were no protection against the bliz.
card OF cinders and ashes, taking
roofs and strongly built walls all Sat
urday. The wedge east of the volca-
no thus destroyed extends 10 miles
at least, with a width of 20 or 80
miles. Fancy a rich and thickly pop
ulafal ca,,oArxy ~ ,yipayordo 1x,;Nsy ,,,
der three to six inches of ashes and
einders, while above the volcano in
full activity is distributing to the
outer edges of the circle the same
fate, and you will get an idea of the
desolate impression of the scene, a
tragedy colossal and heartrending.
Peasants Wonderfully Calm.
"Two miles below San Giuseppe We
struck cinders which soldiers were
shoveling, making road for the ref
ugees. Our wagon driver begged off
from completing his contract to take
us up to San Giuseppe. We had not
the heart TO insist, so the rest of the
Journey to the railway at Palma, eight
miles, was made laboriously on foot
for three hours through sliding Gin
ders. In many places temporary shell
tiers had been built by the roadside,
like chiidren's playhouses. Here wo-
men were huddled with their bedding,
awaiting the coming Of supplies which
the army had begun to distribute.
Men were largely occupied with SHOW
cling cinders. Many two wheeled
carts loaded with salvage, drawn by
donkeys or pushed by peasants. were
making their way along, women with
bundles on their heads carrying poul-
try. In the square OF San Giuseppe
was a detachment Of soldiers. Near
destroyed church, in coarse yellow
linen shrouds. were the bodies of SO
OF the 105 persons who there lost
their lives. The peasants were sad
but accomplishing; in fact for so ex'
citable people they were wonderful.
ly calm. At Palma, we succeeded In
CATCHING the train for Naples"