The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1906-11-19
BOMB WAS EXPLODED
IN ST. PETERS CHURCH
Panic in Great Church at Rome, But
There Were No Fatalities-The
Building Was Not Dam
aged, Either.

Rome, Nov. ia bomb was ex-
ploded in ST. Peters yesterday. The
ediiice was crowded and an indescrihabla
scene of confusion followed. There were
no fatalities.
AS soon as the echoes of the tremen-
dous roar had ceased. a canon sought
by reassuring words to quiet the people,
but in vain. They fled in all directions
and number Of women tainted. W9m-
en- and children screamed and men tried
to protect their families In the crush.
The church is SO large, however, that
there was ample room for the crowd to
scatter and no one was injured. M
trace of the perpetrator Of the deed
has been found.
Since Saint Anaoletus, who was or
dained by Peter himself, erected an ora
tory in 90 A. d., on the site Of the
present basiica to mark the spot where
the remains OF st. Peter are buried, no
such dastardly occurrence is noted in
the annals of the church.
Yesterday was the anniversary Of the
dedication Of the basilica TO st. Peter.
and is was beautifully decorated for
the occasion. Holy relics were exposed,
and large number of the faithful at
tended the services. Cardinal Rampola.
formerly papal secretary Of state, was
among those present. He took part in
the service in the choir chapel. The
last masses had just been concluded
when the explosion occurred, ami only
cne canon. who had not quite finished,
remained at the altar of St. Petronilla.
This altar is at the end of the right
aisle, and it was near here that the
bomb had been placed As the canon
turned to bless the communicates. there
was tremendous roar, which echoed
through the lofty arches OF the immense
dome like thunder clap. At the same
time dense smoke spread throughout
this portion OF the basilica and a strong
odor Of gunpowder filed the air. Com
fusion and panic at once seized the
people. The canon at the altar tried
to stem the tide of fear. He shouted
out: "Do not be afraid; it is moth
ing, merely the MONDAY gum His
words, however. had little effect They
were refuted by the smoke and the
pungent smell Of powder and the peo-
pie continued their headlong fight The
chairs were overthrown, making the con
fusion more serious. Men and women
fed stumbling in all directions and the
screams Of children and cries of anguish
were heard on all sides, and for a few
moments it seemed as II nothing could
obviate grave disaster The vast size
of the church, however, gave room for
the crowd to scatter, and at the end
OF few moments the people were surg
ing toward the doors, excited and ner
v0us, but orderly
As soon ms the smoke cleared away
a hasty examination showed nobody had
been hurt in the crush and furthermore
than no one had been wounded by the
explosion Calm WAS gradually restored
and people returned to view the extent
of the damage.
tt was discovered that the bomb hai
been placed under a seafoIding which
had been erected TO facilitate repairs to
the roof exactly over the celebrated
tomb Of Clement XIII, by Canoya, which
consists Of figure Of the pope and
two lions, and which Is the most re-.
markable piece of sculpture in the ba.
silica. This tomb ranks among the fin.
est efforts Of modern sculpture, and by
;ts execution Canoya established n rnp.
utatlOn. w HSH thV HlhI gendarmcs
reached the spot, the scaifolding was
found to be smoldering, but this fire
was easily cxtingushed, The tomb was
found TO be absolutely uniniured. and
even tne pavement stones showed scarce
IL any signs of the explosion. An ex-
animation Of the remains Of the bomb
Lead 10 the supposition, unless 1t was
cruelty prepared to mislcad, that it was
manufactured in the country and was
brought into Rome. 1t is believed tlat
the bomb had very long fuse Ill orlci
~ enable the criminal TO gain the pi
ava before the explosion. 1t has beer
;mnossble TO trace him, and no one
hat any recollection Of seeing man
who. BY his movements, might hay,
aroused suspicion.