Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1906-11-23
BOMB EXPLODED
IN FAMOUS CHURCH
Misersants Deed Caused Wild Panic
in St Peters. at Rome


and an indescribable scene Of confu
sion followed. There were no fatal
ties. As soon as the echoes Of the
tremendous roar had ceased a canon
sought by reassuring words to quiet
the people, but in vain. They fed in all
directions and a number of women
tainted. Women 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. No trace of the perpetrator
OF the deed has been found.
Since St Anacletus. 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.
Panic Followed Explosion.
Sunday was the anniversary of the
dedication of the basilica to st. Peter.
and It was beautifully decorated for
the occasion. Holy relics were exposed
and large number of the faithful at
tended the services. Cardinal Ram
polla, 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 oc-
CURED and only one canon, who had
not quite finished. remained at the al
tar 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 a ire
mendous roar, which echoed through
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 gunpowder filed the air. Con.
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 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 contin- |
ned their headlong flight Chairs were
overthrown making the confusion
more serious. Men and women fed.
stumbling in all directions. the
screams Of children and cries of an
guish were heard on all sides. and
for a few moments it seemed as if
nothing could obviate a grave disas
ter The vast size of the church how.
ever, gave room for the crowd to scat.
ter and at the end of few moments
the people were surging toward the
doors, excited and nervous, but or.
DERBY
B As soon as the smoke cleared away
a hasty examination showed that no.
body had been hurt in the crush. ana
furthermore that no one had been
wounded by the explosion Calm was
gradually restored and people returned
to view the extent Of the damage.
Was Placed Under ScaffoIdino.
tt was discovered that the bomb had
been placed under a scaffolding which
had been erected to facilitate repairs to
the roof exactly over the celebrated
tomb Of Clement XIII, by Canova.
which consists Of a figure OF the pope ]
and two lions, and which is the most
piece Of sculpture in the
basilica. When the first gendarmes \
reached the spot the scaffolding was
found TO be smouldering, but this fire
was easily extinguished. The tomb S
was found to be absolutely uniniured. {
and even the pavement shows scarcely ]
any signs of the explosion. An exami- r
nation Of the remains of the bomb e
eads to the supposition, unless it was f
,rudely prepared on purpose to mis- d
cad, that it was manufactured in the s
country and brought into Rome. It IS n
believed that the bomb had a very long f
use in order to enable the criminal
o gain the piazza before the explosion.
L has been impossible to trace him.
md no one has any recollection Of see a
ng man who, by his movements. 4
night have aroused suspicion. r
Pope Heard Explosion. Y
The pope was engaged in his regular +
devotions when the bomb Fl
vent Off He heard a mufied sound b
which surprised but did not alarm him. O
ionsignor 'Misciatelli sub-prefect Of {
he apostallie palaces. and Monsignor Fl
3isleti, major domo Of the Vatican, at p
nee hurriedly entered the pontiffs c
hamber They were so pale that the u
,oPe Immediately asked. What has e
n
do not be alarmed. holy father" n
ras the answer. "A bomb has explod- 4
d in the Basilica. but fortunately there a
re no deaths to deplore. and no one C
as been wounded"
The pontiff asked anxiously II the
hurch had been injured. Upon being :,
he fell on his knees. saying =
e must implore mercy for the misguid- :
d perperator Of the deed. :
A three days service Of prayer viii y
e celebrated in all the churches in =
xpiation Of this offense to religion. Z
PoPE's LIFE THREATENED W
Ia