The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-04-25
The Latest Eruption of vesuvius.

one of the most destructive eruptiCns
Of the most famous volcano in tne
world is now in progress. The erup-
ton, which began early last week,
has continued now for more than ten
days, with the exception of a tempo
rary lull. Several towns in the vicin-
ity of the volcano have been practical
~ buried by ashes and lava. but the
loss of life has not been so great as
might have been expected, owing to
the fact that in the larger number OF
cases the inhabitants, having taken
warning from previous catastrophes,
have reluctantly abandoned their
homes to save their lives. At the
time of writing it is estimated that
about 1000 lives have been lost, that
about $1,000 have been made home
less, and that the property destroyed
will amount to not far from $20.0O0,-
900 in value. 1t will be apparent that
the loss of life has been less than in
the case of some Of the previous erup-
tons, though the value Of property
destroyed lis probably greater Great
difficulty has been found in transport
ing the fleeing population, owing to
the fact that the railway service IS
rampered by the falling Of hot stones,
sand and ashes upon the tracks, the
latter IN many cases covering the
ground to unmanageable thickness
The ashes have been carried as far as
Naples. and in several instances the
collapse of buildings and accompany
ing destruction of life has been at
tributed TO the falling Of ashes and
sand on the roofs.
The first and most noted eruption of
the volcano occurred in 79 A. D. This
disaster, which involved the destruc-
ton of Herculaneum and Pompeii,
has been rendered famous by the de-
scription given in two letters written
by Pliny the younger co the historian
Tacitus, and by the death Of Pliny,
the elder, the uncle of the former.
Though this was the earliest eruption
Of which we have any record, it was
preceded by series of. earthquakes
covering "a period Of sixteen years.
Since that time there have been nu-
merous eruptions, one of which, IN
1881, destroyed a number :. Of the
towns which have again disappeared
this year under. the lava and ashes
which have been spreading ruin about
the burning mountain for the last ten
days. There were no fewer than
eighteen outbreaks in the inner fire
during the last century, one of which,
that beginning in November, 1857,
and continuing till March, 1858,
was the subject Of special observation
by number of scientific men. Anoth-
er unusually violent eruption occurred
in 1872. The present is the third out
break in the present century.
It is one of the noteworthy features
of the present eruption that the lava,
after sprea ding in great variety Of
directions about the mountain, accord
ing to late accounts, turned again in
the direction of Pompeii. This town.
which was buried from human sight
for centuries. is about five miles
from the volcano. It was only about
the middle of the eighteenth century
that excavations began to reveal the
site Of the ancient city, which in its
heyday possessed an amphitheatre
capable of giving accommodation to
10000 spectators. Owing to the facts
that the lava has ceased flowing, at
least for the time. and that the IN
habitants Of the district about Pom
peii have had ample warning, the bulk
of them may be regarded as safe.
though many. perhaps most Of them.
may be reduced to restitution. AL
ready several towns in the neignbor-
hood nave been buried beneath the
lava ami ashes. Il is TO be noted tha,
from the King down the authorities
have acted With the naosr commenda-
bic efficiency in the face of disaster.
Their efforts can. however, accomplish
little beyond aiding the inhabitants
to flee to new places and relieving
cases Of destitation until the fey
tunult of the burning mountain has
reached It's period.
The latest accounts would seem to
indicate that there mas been real
cessation in the activity OF the vol
cano.
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*Sick headache resui;s from d de-
ro ', oenoont of tho c1Onoac1, and is (.l1:'-