Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1906-11-21
bomb in St. PEERS
The Famous Cathedral Was
the Scene of Panic
THE CELEBRATED TOMB is SAFE
Congregation Assembled to Celebrate
the Dedication of The Bascilica to
St. Pater, Started From Its Deyo-
tions by the Roar of The Bursting
Boom-Panic Stricken Worshipers
Flee in Dismay and Scene Of In
describable Confusion Follows.

Rome, by Cablc.---A bomb was el-
p!oded in St. Peters Sunday. TIE
ed:l;ce was. crowded AID an indescrih-.
able scene of cc.liasion followed.
There were no fatalities. As soon as
the echoes of the tremendous roar
had cease: a capoh sought by re-
assuring words to quiet the people,
but in vain. They fled ill all direc---
tiops and number Of women faint
ed. No trace Of the perpetrators oil
the deed has been found.
Holy Relics Exposed.
SundaySwas the anniversary OF the
dedication of the bascilica to 81.
Peter and it was beautifully decorat-
ed for the occasion. Holy relics were
exposed. and a large number OF the
faithful attended the services. Car
,dinal Rampolia, formerly papal sec
retary of State, was among those
present. He took part in the service
in the choir chapal. The last mass
had Just been concluded when the
explosion occurred and only one ca
non. who had not quite finished, re-
mained at. the alter Of Saint Patron
lila. 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 communl-
cants there was tremendous roar,
which echoed through the lofty
arches of the immense dome like
thunder clap.
Panic seises People.
At tile same time dense smoke
spread throughout this portion OF the
basilica and strong odor OF gun
powder filed the air. Confusion and
panic at once seized the people. The
canon at the altar tried to stem the
tide of fear. He shouted: "Do not
be afraid. it is nothing. merely the
noonday gun His words. however,
had little effect. They were refuted
by the smoke and the pnngcnt smell
of powder. and The people continued
their hcadIong flight. Chairs were
ovcrfhrown, making the confusion
more serious, Men and women fed,
stumbling in all directions, the
screams of children and cries Of an
guish ware heard on all sides, and
for a few moments it seemed as II
nothing could obviate a grave dlsas-
ter. The vast size of the church,
however, gave room for the crowd to
scatter and at the end Of a few mo-
ments the people were surglng toward
the doors, excited and nervous, but
orderly.
Celebrated Tomb Uninjured.
Il was discovered that the bomb
had been placed under scatfoldins
which had been erected to facilitate
repairs to the roof exactly over the
celebrated tomb of Clement &I1I. by
Canova, which consists OF figure OF
the Pope and two lions and which is
the most remarkable piece Of sculp-
ture in the basilica. This tomb ranks
among the finest efforts OF modern
sculpture, and by its execution Can
ova estblished his reputation. An ex-
animation Of the remains of the boom
leads to the supposition unless it was
.crudely prepared ON purpose to mis-
lead, that it was manufactured in the
country aud brought into Rome.
It has been impossible 10 trace
him, and no one has any recollection
of seeing q man who, by his move.
ments, might have aroused suspicion.