The Springfield herald., 1906-04-13
PANIC STRICKEN THOUSANDSF
BEFORE VESUv|US' FIERY FLOOD

Naples.-Mount Nesuvius Is Il coloS-
sal brazier, and the town of Boscotre-
case on its southern declivity has been
transformed into a gray island of ruin
by the ashes from the crater of the vol
cano.
Torrents of liquid fire. resembling
in the distance serpents with glitter
ing yellow and black scales, are
coursing in all directions, amid rum
blings, dstonations and earth trem-
blings, while a pail Of sulphurous
smoke that hovers over all makes
breathing difficult.
The streams of lava are resistless
They snap like pipestems the trunks
of chestnut trees 800 years old, and
blight with their torrid breath the
blooms on the peach trees before the
trees themselves have been reached.
The molten streams do not spare the
homes of the peasants, and when these
have been razed they dash into the
wells, as though seeking to slack
their thirst. and. after filling them, CON
tinue their course down the mountain
side.
Everywhere in the vicinity of the
volcano pitiful scenes are Witnessed
women tearing their hair in their GRIEF
and old men crying at the loss of their
beloved homesteads. while in the dis
tance, in striking contrast. lie the sap
phire-colored Mediterranean, the violet
hued mountains of the Sorrento PENN
sula and the Island of Capri in the
tranquil sea.
Artillery cars have been sent to the
assistance of the fleeing peasants, and
the Duke of Aosta, Cardinal Jos.
Frisco, and all of the authorities, de-
spite the rain, to-day went to the por-
tions of the mountain most threatened
in order to succor or comfort the peo-
pie.
The Duke of AoSta was especially
active. He explained the means he
thought best to save lives and proper
ty and had the engineers and soldiers
erect parapets and dig trenches in or
der to change the course of the lava
streams, and at times gave an example
of his energy by working himself.
Cardinal Frisco distributed neces-
saries of life to the peasants and even
went so far as to give away the rings
he wore on his fingers. Repeatedly he
exclaimed to the frightened peasants
Pray, my children; you may be sure
God will not desert YOU"
Whole families. surrounded by their
house hold goods. are waiting in the
streets. hoping to find cart, horse or
donkey to help them place their pos
sessions beyond danger.
The statue of St Ann, which was
taken to the mountain side to confront
the lava. is frequently moved back
ward as the tide advances.
Considerable apprehension is felt be
cause of the earthquake shocks, which
are growing stronger and are felt even
10 I1n,, mill
east of this city.
Each shock is accompanied by deep
and prolonged detonations.
Ottajano. at the northeast foot of the
mountain, is threatened by stream of
lava, and the people are beginning to
desert the town.
Signor Matteucci, director of the OBJ
servatory On Nesuvius. still continues
to occupy most dangerous position.
With him is an American engineer
named Perret.
The hope that Mount Vesuvius was
becoming calm was dissipated to-day
Sunday, when the volcano become
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 to-
day. The entire population rushed 10
the streets in terror, many persons cry
ing: 1.-The madonna has forsaken us;
the end of the world has come
No trace remains of Boscotrecase,
commune on the southern declivity OF
the mountain, where up to forty-eight
hours ago 10000 persons lived; and
Tore Annunziata, on the shores of the
Gulf of Naples, one mile to the south
ward, is almost surrounded by the in
vading lava and has been evacuated
by its 10000 inhabitants. The people
were brought to Naples by trains,
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