The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-04-16
A DEATHS ZONE
AT MT. VESUV|OS
J,irector of Observatory on
Fiery Mountain Recounts
His Experience.
ALMOST BURIED IN
THE RAIN OF ASHES
cannot Predict Future, but Be-
lieyes That the Worst
Is Over.

NAPLES, April 1.-THE Associated
press correspondent today succeeded IN
.r.ah,np the highest inhabitable point on
resuytus, where Prof, Matteucci, director
A the Royal observatory. has courage
,usIy held his post throughout the erup-
dan. The noted scientist was found to be
somparatiyely calm and undisturpeo py
hIs recent fearful experiences
Cut Off From World.
Ear three days Prof Batteuccl and his
utsis band were cut off from the outside
%ord Their provisions ran low and their
rfions consisted OF cheese, bread and
lied onions, until Prof. Matteucci's ur-
ssnt telegraphio appeals led venture
.sms guide TO push through on Friday
Eith q stock of supplies Tor their renei.
Meantime the professor had Kept at his
instruments, taking observations and
raking calculations day and night, while
nerfect inferno ragged around him,
e1he poftico where he stood was knee
deep in ashes. which had been swept
eaIde 10 make small footway. From the
observatory terrace. to which narrow
ssfhs had been cut through the ashes. the
ssorrespondent looked out over an ocean
Al ashes and twisted rivers of lafS. while
Fesuyius rose grimly In mantle oil ashes
ana ehrouded dark vapor rising like a
rieantic fan Prof. Matteucci was asked
"a tell In his own way the story of the
cataflysm from the outset This he read
jly cbnsented To do, and speaking In good
Trs1ch. gave the following detailed mar
III hrst observed Mount Vesuvius giving
u2usual signs about a month ago, when
\ fle lava began 10 overflow, taking south
.2kea direction. This gradually Increased
jds eeyeral small lava streams formed INTO
r one great curroEt.
'sThe real danger began the middle of
last week Then an enormous stream of
lava came from the summit meeting the
.-tkn kn~ ETY. mo NJ
strata 1t was this that overwhelmed
Boscotrecase Throughout the lava dis
charge the volcano was comparatively
Qulef and without electrical phenomena
or explosions. The only ominous sign was
the advancing wave and the cinders form
Ing IN enormous cloud In the shape of a
pine tree over the crater
Rain Of Stones.
"0ur really terrible period came at 8
O'clock Sunday morning and lasted until
o'clock, The mountain. which hitherto
had been silent. suddenly gave out a deaf
ening roar and great rent was made in
lis cone Huge solid rocks were hurled
ekyward. Some Of them fell near the OBJ
eeryhtory, threatening to crash the roof,
but most of them fell far outside of the
Observatory zone. There was no scoria
In this discharge, but solid bullet-like
stones which cut the roof and damaged
The windows"
Prof. Matteuccl employed his hands as
continuous mass of stones rising like
bombs and Roman candles.
AT midnight Of Saturday" said Prof.
Matteucci, Il ordered the women and chill
eren OF the household removed. This was
Just before the rain OF huge stones began
snd was then left with Prof. Perret of
New York, my American assistant. and
{ tEo domestics. There was scarcely any
!afing, and all domestic order was aban-
ooned- We snatched few bites now and
then; most Of the time / ate right here"
LAC the observer pointed to the remains
of recent meal on the desk OF his study.
y Thrown to Great Height.
Throughout Sunday enormous solid blocks
q Etcne ross to height of 25OO feet from the
czater. while ashes and sand were thrown
zach higher. but toward Monday the terrible
DOCKS OF earthquake gradually diminished
one OF the worst features OF the eruption was
tee UNUSUAL extent OF the electrical phenom-
era. the darkness being broken by vivid
fsahes OF lightning, giving the sky blood
ns color. with short heavy peals OF thunder
Enrspersed. These moments were terrible
Fdy terrible. Yes. II veritnble hell
compared with other great cruptions." con-
rsusd tho observer "this is one OF the most
inportant In the history OF Ycsuyius It's
eects are less terrible than those of tho erup-
pca In tho year a. ID 79 when Pompeli was
os1eo. but II equals in intensity the great
suptlons Of 1851 and 1872 What results this
9spuon Will yield to science Ia not yet GER
e'r Eruptlons are not exact in science You
1anot count on Vesuvius; cach OF It's erup-
poes has tie characteristics"
Cannot Tell Future.
ASed concerning Mount Vesuvius in the fu-
s psrs Prof Matteucci replied Il eIn unable TO
@u With any degree OF certainty. I sincerely
npe this eruption Is over; but who can tell
rnether another terrible convulsion may not
ene curing the next minute7 However. all
ny indications point to u period OF calm for
- - next Few days. and therefore l am hope
~ But was hopeful last night. although
SERIOUS explosion occurred Mt 10 o'clock in
80 evening. without any warning"