Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1906-11-21
BOMB EXPLODED IN ST. PETERS
CHURCH, IN R0ME-PARIC SEIZED PE0
PLE-NO ONE HURT.

Rome, Italy, Nov. 1S.--A bomb was ex-
ploded near the nigh altar in st. Peters
to-day. The edifice WAS crowded, and an
indesoribable scene of confusion followed
the explosion. 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. Women
and children screamed and men tried to
protect their families in the crush. The
church is 80 large, however, that there
was ample room for the crowd to scatter,
and no one was injured. No trace of the
perpetrator Of tho deed has been found.
st. Anaoletus, who was ordained by
Peter himself, erected an oratory in 90
A.. D., on the site of the present basilica
| to mark the spot where tho remains of
st. Peter are buried.
To-day was the anniversary of the dedi-
cation of the basilioa to st. Peter, and
1t was beautifully decorated for the oc-
casion. Holy relics were exposed and q
large number of the faithful attended the
services. Cardinal Rampolia, formerly
papal secretary of State, was among those
present. He took part in the service in
the choir chapel.
The last mass had just been concluded
when the explosion occurred, and only
one canon, who had not quite finished,
remained at the altar of st. Petronila.
| 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 a tre-
mendous roar which echoed through the
| lofty arches of the immense dome like a
thunderclap.
! At the same time dense smoke spread
throughout this portion of the basilica,
and strong odor of gunpowder 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 gum
His words, however, had little effect.
They we're refuted by the smoke and the
pungent smell of powder and the people
continued their headlong flight. Chairs
more serious. Men and women fled,
stumbling in all directions, the screams
of children and cries of anguish were
heard on all sides, and for few minutes
it seemed as if nothing could obviate q
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 surging to-
ward the doors. excited and nervous, but
orderly.
AS soon as the smoke cleared away a
hasty examination showed that nobody
had been hurt in the church and that no
one had been wounded by the explosion.
Calm was gradually restored and people
returned to view the extent of the dam
age.
1t was discovered that the bomb had
been placed under q scaffolding which
had been erected to facilitate repairs to
the roof exactly over the celebrated tomb
Of Clement XIII. When the first gen.
darmes reached the spot the scaffolding
was found to be smouldering, but this
fire was easily extinguished. The tomb
was found to be uninjured and even the
pavement shows scarcely any signs of
the explosion.