The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-04-09
Observatory is Destroyed and
Residents Of Many Villages
Are Left Destitute
TRAINS DELAYED BY HOT
ROCKS THROWN ON TRACKS
Fear of Tidal Waves Causes Many
Vessels To Put Out To Sea
and Coast Hotels Are
Deserted.

Naples. April s.-The hope that Mount
Vesuvius was becoming calm was dssi-
pated today when the volcano became
more active than ever.
The panic has spread to Naples. Two
strong earthquake shocks which shatter-
ed windows and cracked the walls of
buildings were experienced today. The
entire population rushed to the streets
In terror. many persons crying The
Madonna has forsaken us; the end of
the world has come
No trace remains of Boscotrecase a
commune on the southern declivity of the
mountain, and Tore Annunziata, on the
shores of the Gulf of Naples one mile
to the southwark is almost surrounded
by the invading lava, and has been evacu-
ated by its thirty thousand inhabitants
People Brought To Naples.
The people were brought to Naples by
trains, street cars, military carts and
steamships. Similar means of transporta-
tion are being employed to bring away
the people from Tore del Greco. The
police and carbineers are guarding the
abandoned houses, and several members
OF thg government also are there =
A selegram received from the Mar of
San sebastiano. village near the OBJ
servatory on the northwest declvity of
Vesuvius, says the lava is approaching
rapidly. and that the people are terror
stricken. They have been for nights with
out sleep, he says; are destitute, and
beg that assistance be given them.
The work of succor is hampered owing
to delays to the railway service, which
Is interrupted by red hot stones thrown
to height of three thousand feet, fall
Ing on the tracks.
Impossible To Count Craters.
As yet it is impossible to count the
craters that have opened and from which
streams of lava have flooded the beau
tiful and prosperous districts on the
southeast shores of the Gulf of Naples.
The atmosphere is heavily charged with
electricity and now and then the flashes
of lightning are binding, while the de-
donations from the volcano resemble those
of terrible explosions
The churches of the CITY were omen all
Saturday night, and were crowded with
panic-stricben people. Members of the
clergy are doing their utmost to calm,
their fears, but their arguments go AL
most for nothing when renewed earth
quake shocks are experienced.
Spectacular Scene Presented.
With the danger and horror of the sit
uation aside, Vesuvius is one of the most
splendid sights imaginable The mountain
or fire, whose speech is by thunder. and
whose acts are destruction. seems like
an enraged giant determined to make tbe
pigmies of earth feel the might of his
wrath Here and there on the mountain
side stand the blasted trunks of nine
trees their bare branches outstretched a
though in protest against the devastation
the volcano has wrought.
The Duchess of Aosta WI is always to
be found where misery exists. is not
sparing herself in her efforts to alleviate
distress. The people call her an angel OF
mercy. Today she took several children
from their weary mothers and in her
carriage conveyed them to the royal pal
ace. where they will remain until cond-
tions are brighter.
LIE ODSerNdtOTy mas Deen DESTROYED
and Signor Matteucci. the director and
the employees had narrow escapes. They
passed last night in the df mess save for
frequent flashes of lightm as the gas
works and electric lightil ,slant were
destroyed.
Prisoners Go Mad With error.
Prisoners in jails on the mountain side
went mad with terror and mutinied and
were only partially quieted by being
brought here. But their rears have been
communicated to the prisoners here, who
may rebel at any moment. The situation
is critical
Breathing is momentarily becoming
more difficult because of the poisonous
fumes and smoke while the hot ashes
which are still falling tend to make life
a burden.
Contrary to expectations the sea has
not yet shown signs of peing affected by
the phenomena. but fears are entertained
that tidal waves may YET come and many
craft have put to sea. Visitors to Ma
pies are avoiding the hotels on the sea
front, and the people living there are
beginning to leave for higher attitudes.
Though there is much misery, up to the
present time there have been no fatali-
ties.