Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1906-11-20
BOMB is HURLED
AT ST. PETERS SHRINE
PeoDle Fled In Panic But No
One Was Killed.
CROWDED WITH woRsHIPERs

Without Warning Bomb Crashed Be-
fore Holy Altar and Exploded with
FrightfuI Force-None Killed or In
Jured.
Rome, Nov. ia bomb was ex
ploded in St. Peters Sunday. The
edifice was crowded, and an indie
scribable scene Of confusion follow
ed. There were no fatalities.
AS soon as the echoes of the tre-
mendous report subsidized, canon
said reassuring words to the congre-
cation, In vain. They fed in all dI-
rections, and a number Of women
tainted. Women and children scream
ed and men tried to protect their fam
lilies in the crush. The church is SO
large, however, that there was ample
room for the crowd to scatter, and
no one was injured. No trace of
the perpetrator of the deed has been
found.
Since Saint Anacietus, who was or
dained by Peter himself, erected an
oratory in 80 A. D., on the site of
the present basilica to mark the spot
where the remains of St. Peter are
buried, no such dastardly occurrence
Is noted In the annals of the church.
Sunday was the anniversary Of the
dedication of the basdlica. to st. Pc
ter, and it was beautifully decorated
for the occasion. Holy relics were
exposed, and q large number Of the
faithful attended the services. Car
dinal Rampolla, formerly papal secre-
tary Of state, was among those pres
ent. He took part in the service
In the choir chapel. The last mass
had just been concluded, when the
explosion occurred, and only one can
on, who had not quite finished, re-
manned at the altar of Saint Petronil-
la. This altar is at the end of the
right aisle and 1t was near here that
the bomb had been placed. AS the
canon turned to bless the cOmmuni-
cants there was a tremendous roar,
which echoed throughout the lofty
arches of the immense dome-like a
thunder clap.
At the same time a dense smoke
spread throughout this portion of the
basilica, and a strong Odor of gum
powder filled the air. Confusion 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 nothing,
merely the MONDAY gun"
His words, however, had little
effect. They were refuted by the
smoke and the pungent smell of pow
der, and the people continued their
headIong flight. Chairs were over
thrown, making the confusion more
serious. Men and women fled, STUN
bling in all directions, the screams
of children and cries of anguish were
heard on all sides, and for a rev mo-
ments it seemd as if nothing could
obviate a grave disaster. The vast
size of the church, however, gave
the end of few moments the peo-
pie were surging toward the doors,
excited and nervous, but orderly.
AS soon as the smoke cleared away
a hasty examination showed that no.
body had been hurt in the crush, and
further more that no one had been
wounded by the explosion Calm was
gradually restored and people return
ed to view the extent of the damage
1t was discovered that the bomb
had ben placed under a scaffolding
which had been erected to facilitate
repairs to the roof exactly over the
celebrated tomb of Clement XII, by
Canovay which consists of a figure of
the pope and two lions, and which is
the most remarkable piece of sculp-
ture in the bascilica. This bomb
ranks among the finest efforts of mod
ern sculpture, and by its execution,
When the first gendarmes reached
CanOva established his reputation.
When the first gendarmes reached the
spot the scaffolding was fund to be
smouldering, but this fire was easily
extinguished. The tomb was found
to be absolutely uninjured, and even
the pavement shows scarcely any
signs of the explosion.
An examination of the remains of
the bomb led to the supposition, un-
less it was crudely prepared on pur-
pose to mislead, that it was manu-
factured in the country and brought
into Rome. 1t is believed that the
bomb had a very long fuse in or
der to enable the criminal to gain
the plaza before the explosion. 1t
has been impossible to trace him,
and no one has any recollection of
seeing a man who, by his movements,
might have aroused suspicion.
Two Killed in Freiuht Collision