The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-04-08

NAPLES. ADTll IL MlAAt AAON 10 u
from the belching crater of Mt. Vesu-
vius, which has been flaming thou
sand feet for the past four hours. this
afternoon completely destroyed the town
of Boscoe Trecase on the southern slope.
The town had a population of 4,30O
and many Of the inhabitants had aban-
doned it before 1t was destroyed.
Very little coU1d be learned as to how
many people lad been unable TO leave
the city before the streams of burning
lava encircled the outskirts and pre-
vented escape II is certain. however,
that all those who were caught by the
descent of the flaming flow have perish
ed.
In Burning Streams.
The lava in great sluggish burning
streams had been coming down the
western and southern slopes of the
mountain side all night and could be
plainly seen by the light Of the terrific
eruption Of incandescent stone and
earth. rising a thousand feet above the
crater's mouth.
The inhabitants of Bosco Trecase and
also Of Terre Del Greco, with a popula-
ton OF $4,000. and Ottajano, with a popu-
lation of 10000. fled panic-stricken. The
people of the latter two cities gathered
all of their effects and left their homes
as. quickly as possible. It was believed
that all those in the town of Bosco
Trecase had also left, but ii now an
pears that some Of those who had wit
messed previous severe eruptions of
Nesuvius misjudged the violence of the
2rosent disturbance and remained in
their houses.
While Bosco Trecase was completely
wiped out, literally being destroyed by
the fire of the lava. il was reported tlate
this afternoon that the city of Ottatano
was also being surrounded by the de-
scendinS streams of flaming rock and
would meet the same fate.
Fresh Craters Open.
The streams of lava were broadened
and deepened this afternoon bv the
opening of the fresh craters in the
mountain side At first great volumes
"f steam issued from these huge fls-
sures. but this was quickly followed by
bursts Of the burning rock
Some Of the streams, after being aug-
mented from the eruptions from the new
craters grew to be 1000 feet wide and
the main stream flowing down the
southern slope of the mountainside he
came 1,500 feet wide.
As the lava, over which hovered i'm
mense clouds of steam, swent dow
ward. every living thing in its natr
crunpled up as the heat blasted n and
then disappeared utterly. All sorts on
farming material and isolated hopss
were destroyed like the pinch OF gun
powder
The town of Bosco Trecaso presentad
no more OF an obstacle to the natb of
the irresistible stream than if the whole
town had been an aggregation of houses
Of cards. The lava seemed to come 70
an infnitesimal pause. Then it swept
over houses, streets. public buildings
and churches. All were utterly obliter-
ated.
In the city OF Tore del Greco the in
habitants were panic-stricken this after
noon. Whole families had moved all
their household effects into the streets
and stood by them, trembling with fear
and not knowing which way to turn
The Uttered streets made IT practically
impossible for any sort of property to
be moved. Unless help comes TO them
or they can be reused TO leave their
property behind them. they will be
caught by the descending lava streams.
Special Prayers offered.
Cardinal Joseph Frisco. archbishop of
Naples, this afternoon introduced spe-
cial prayers to be offered in all the
churches for the safety of those who
ere in peril of their lives. He expects
10 go to the scene of the devastated
town and aid in getting those who have
cscaped TO places of safety He is a ma
tive of Bosco Neale. one of the smaller
villages which is in great danger.
Bosco Trecase. the destroyed town,
lies between the volcs,no and Pompeii,
the ancient city which was also buried
by ono OF the great eruptions of the
volcano. II is the nearest TO the beIch-
Ing crater, and naturally the first to be
reached by the lsva streams.
Naples is the mecca of the alarmed
country people. and they have been
nocking into the city in great numbers.
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