Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1906-11-22
BOMB EXPLODED NEAR THE
HIGH ALTAR IN Ct.
PETERS.
SAINTS TOMBS SHAKEN
Panic Followed, but the vastness %
the Edi7ee Enabled the People
to Scatter, Preventing
q Crush.

ROmc-A bomb was exploded In st.
Peters Sunday. The ediiice was
crowded, and an indescribable scene
Of confusion followed. There were no
fatalities.
AS soon as the echoes OF the ire
mendOus roar had ceased, a
sought by reassuring words to quiet
the people, but in vain. They fled in
all directions, and a number OF WON.
en- tainted. The church Is SO large,
however, that there was ample room
for the crowd to scatter. No trace OF
the perpetrator of the deed has been
found. Since St. Anacletus 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 basilica to st. Peter.
and 1t was beautifully decorated for
the occasion. Holy relics were ex.
posed and a large number Of the faith
full attended the services.
Like q Thunder Clap.
As q canon turned to bless the com.
%municants, there a a tremendous
roar, which echoed through the lofty
arches of the immense dome like a
thunder clap. At the same time q
dense smoke spread throughout this
portion of the basilica, and a strong
odor Of gunpowder filled the air. Con.
fusion and panic at once seized the
people. The canon at the altar tried
to stem the tide OF fear. lie shouted
out, do not be afraid! 1t Is nothing
merely the MONDAY gum" His words
had little effect. They were refuted
by the smoke, and the pungent smell
of powder, and the peopl continued
their headlong flight.
Where the Bomb MAJ Placed.
AS soon as the smoke cleared away
a hasty examination showed that no.
body had been hurt in the crush, and
furthermore that nc one had been
wounded by the explosion. Calm was
gradually restored. and peopel re.
turned to view the extent of the dam.
age. 1t was discovered hat the bomb
had been placed under a s%caffolding
LIldt Idu DecU eItCteu W IdClllldlc re-
pairs to the roof exactly over the cele-
brated tomb Of Clement XIII. by
Canova, which consists of a figure OF
the pope, and which Is the most re-
markable piece OF sculpture in the
basilica. This tomb ranks among the
finest efforts of modern sculpture, and
by It's execution Canova established
his reputation. The bomb contained
about two pounds OF powder and three
pounds of nails.
Pope Prayed for the Perpetrator.
The pope was engaged In his regular
oon hour devotions when the bomb
went of. lie heard a muffied sound
which surprised, but did not alarm
him. Mgr. Misciatelli, sub.prefect OF
the apostolic palaces, and Mgr. Bisleti.
major domo of the vatican, at once
hurriedlf entered the pontiff's cham.
ber. Thief were 80 pale that the pope
Immediately asked:
What has happened"
do not be alarmed, holy father"
was the answer. "A bomb has ex'
ploded in the basilica, but fortunately
there are no deaths to deplore. and
no one has been wounded"
The pontiff asked anxiously II the
church had been injured. Upon being
treasured. he fell on his knees, say
ing he must implore mercy for the mis-