Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1906-11-19

r ROME, Nov. ia bomb was ex-
ploded in st. Peters yesterday. The
edifice was crowded, end an indescri-.
able scene of confusion followed.
There We're no fatalities.
AS soon as the echo and the tre-
mendous roar had ceased canon
sought by reassuring words to quiet
in all directions. Women and chill
dren screamed and men tried to pro-
tect 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 in 80 A. D.
an oratory was erec,ed on the site
OF the present church to mark the
spot where the remains of St. Peter
are buried, no such Iastardly occur
renee is noted in the annals of the
church.
Many in Attendance.
Today was the anniversary of the
dedication of the basi!ica to st. Peter
and it was beautifully decorated for
the occasion. Holy relics were ex-
posed and large number of the faith
full attended the services. Cardinal
Rampolla, 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 priest, who
had not quite finished, remained at
the altar of st. Peter.
This altar Is at the end of the rignt
isle, and it was near here the bomb
had been placed. AS the priest turn
ed to bless the communicating there
was tremendous roar which echoed
through the arches of the dome like
a thunder clap. 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 priest at the altar
tried to stem the tide of fear. He
shouted out: ~ ef
DO not be afraid; it is nothing,
merely the MONDAY gum"
Smell Of Powder Starts Panic.
His words had little effect. They
were refuted by smoke and TAG, pung-
ent smell OF powder ana the people
continued their headlong flight. Chairs
were overturned making the confusion
more serious. Men and women fed,
stumbling in all directions. The
screams OF children and cries Of
anguish were heard ON all sides, and
for a few minutes it seemed as though
nothing could obviase grave dis
aster. The vast size of the church,
however. gave room for the crowd to
scatter. and at the end of few mo-
ments the people were suriing toward
the stairs. excited and nervous, but
orderly.
AS soon as the smoke cleared away.
r hasty examination showed that
TO lives were lost and order was
gradually restored and some of the
people returned to view the extent Of
the bomb had been placed under a
scaffolding erected to facilitate re-
pairs to the roof. exactly over the
celebrated tomb of Clement XIII,
which consists Of figure of a pope
and two lions and which is the most
remarkable piece OF sculpture in the
basilica. This tomb ranks among
the finest efforts OF modern sculpture
and by its execution Canovac estab-
iished his reputation.
Tomb Not injured.
When the first gendarmes reached
the spot the scaffolding was found
to- be smoldering. but this fire was
easily extinguishei. The tomb was
found to be uninjured and even the
pavements showed scarcely, any signs
of the explosion. An examination Of
the remains Of the bomb leads to the
superstition. unless It was crudel,
prepared on purpose to mislead. tina,
It was manufactured In the country
snd at Rome. 1t is believed the bomb
had very long fuse in order to en-.
able the criminal to gain the exit. 1
is Impossible to trace the culprit and
no one has any recollection. Of seeing
| a man who BY his movements nigh
have aroused suspicion.
The pope was engaged in his reg
ular noon hour devotions when ths
bomb exploded. He heard mufRles
sound which surprised but did no
alarm him. Mosignor Miaciatelli
sub-perfect Of the apostilistic palace
and Monsignor Bisteoli. Major Domo
| Of the vatican. at once hnrriedly wen
to the pontiff' 3 chamber They wer'
so pale that the pope Immediate.
asked
''what has happened.