The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1906-04-11
DISASTER AT NAPLES
Monte Oliveto Market Col
lapsed; Hundreds In Ruins.
TOWNS on yESUyIUS' SLOPE DOOMED
Destruction of Tore del Greco Typ
icaI of Many other ViIIages-Curse
Rests Upon the City, Say
the Natives.

NAPLES. April ia frlghtful dis
astcr occurred in the center Of this city.
following the eruption of Mount Nesu-
wins.
Two hundred and fifty persons, il is
estimated. were buried IN the ruins Of
the market Monte Olveto when the
roof collapsed under the weight of
cindcrS from the volcano
Sixty bodies have been recovered.
over 100 wounded have been taken to
hospitals.
The disaster at the market place was
appalling. The courtyard covers coo
square feet and was rooted The space
within was unusually crowded with
buyers and their children. the accident
happening at the hour of the day when
trade is most brisk Rival displays of
flowers. fruits and vegetables contend
ed for buyers. while marketwOmen
screamed their wares and joked with
their customers. Little children played
about the stands. adding gayety TO the
scene, the like of which is not TO I've
witnessed outside of Naples
Suddenly. with scarcely tremor of
warning. there was a terrifying crash,
and the brilliant sight disappeared in
cloud of dust. while shrleks of agony
rent the air
The people outside seemed demented.
They surrounded the market in many
cases tearing their hair, cursing and
screaming. "Oh, my husband is there
or Bring out my child and endeayor-
ing. with their own hands. TO move
heavy beams. from beneath which the
groans of the injured were issuing.
The cries fer help were so heartrendlng
that even rescuerS We're heard to sob
aloud as they worked. with feyerish
eagerness. to save life or extract the
bodies of the dead from the ruins.
Such was the anxiety OF the people
10 take part in the work of rescue that
il required determined efforts on the
part of the large force OF police and
earbineers present 10 keep the most
desperate from moving beams TOO pre-
cpltately and thereby causing further
deaths or injuries.
Some OF the people about the market
were heard to exclaim that a curse
rested upon the people Of Naples for
repudiating their saints Oh Monday.
when Mount Nesuvius was in its most
violent mood. The Identification of the
bodies of a number of those killed 10y
the collapse of the market roof was
found TO be impossible. some being re-
duced to pulp, while others We're hor-
ribly mutilated, giving rise TO scenes
which are better mdescribed Among
the dead were many children who had
been sent by their parents to do the
mornings marketing. and the grief Of
the parents when the bodies of their
children were found was heartrend-
ing
The work of searching the ruins con-
tnued in The most energetic manner.
doctors. tircmen municipal guards po-
lice and arsenal employees taking part
in II under the direction OF the Duke
of Aosta project of Naples.
Owing To the volcanic activity of
Mount Ncsmus the fate of the vii
lagos and towns grouped around the
volcano seems hopeless Instead of de
creasing the fall Of sand and ashes
emitted from the crater has Increased.
Even with the sun shining high in the
heavens the light is dim yellow. in
the midst of which the few people who
remained in tue stricken towns. their
clothing hair and boards covered with
ashes, move about in the awful still
ness Of desolation like gray ghosts
The ease of Tore del Greco is typ
ical. For thirty hours the place has
been practically deserted but amid the
/ ruins aud semidarkness. Illuminated
from time to time 10y vivid flashes of
/ lightning. few of the inhabitants 20
I about hungry and with Threats parch-
/ ed with smoke ana dust. seemingly iii
able to tear themselves away from the
! ruins of what so recently We're Their
homes Communication by rail OF
! lTHlnWdN WIFI loITt utl NrIetO anu
Tore del Annunziata is impossible ow
ing to the cinder. sand and ash de
/ posts.
The number of dead taken from the
( church at San Giuseppe which col
lapSed while Il congregation of about
POO persons We're attending mass is
] twenty There were Seventy-ninp
severely injured.
The stream of lava which started
anew in the direction Of Tore del An
nunziata has reached the cemetery OF
that town and turned in the direction
of Pompeii
A violent storm of sulphurouS rain
has descended on San Giuseppe Nesu
ylana and Saviano
The volcano is resuming activity
especially toward Gercola.
Roosevelt CRbIed His sympathy.
WASHINGTON. April 1.-THE pres
ident sent by cable a message of con