The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-04-10
Torrents of Molten Lava Flowing
in all Directions
Pitiful Scenes Witnessed Everywhere
in the Vicinity of the Volcano-Ar-
tiIlery Carts Sent to Assistance of the
Fleeing PeasantS-New Craters
Have Opened at Different Points on
the Mountain.
the Mountain

Naples, April Mount Vesuvius is
a colossal braZi:T, ami the town of
BOsfatrecase, ON it's southern declivity.
has been transformed into gray is
land of ruin by the ashes from the
crater of the volcano. Torrents of liquid
fire, resembling in the distance serpents
are coursing in all directions, amid
dumblings, decorations and earth trem-
blings, while a pail of sulphurous
smoke that hovers over all, makes
breathing difficult
The streams of lava are resiStless.
They snap like pipe stems the trunks
of chestnut trees, hundreds of years
old. and blight with their torrid breath
the blooms on the beach trees. before
the trees themselves have been reach
ed. The molten streams do not spare
the homes of the peasants, and when
these have been razed, they dash into
the wells, as though seeking to slake
their thirst, and having filled them,
continue their course down the noun
tain side.
Everywhere in the vicinity of the
volcano pitiful scenes are Witnessed
women tearing their hair in their grief
and old men crying aloud at the loss
of their beloved homesteads, while in
the distance. in striking contrast, lies
the sapphire-colored Mediterranean,
the violet-hued mountains of the Sor-
rento peninsula, and the island Of
Capri in the tranquil sea.
Artillery carts have been sent to the
! assistance of the fleeing peasants, and
the Duke of AOsta, Cardinal Joseph
Frisco, and all the authorities, despite
the rain, today went to the portions of
the mountain most threatened in Or
! der to succor Or comfort the people.
Previously Cardinal Frisco ordered
special prayers to be said for those in
danger. BOsco Bealef the village which
is most in danger of destruction. is the
| birthplace of the cardinal and the
home of most OF his relatives
!, These personages talked with the
peasants in endeavors to pacify them,
and the duke of Aosta was especially
| active. He explained the means he
thought best to save lives and proper
ty, and had the engineers and soldiers
erect parapets and dig trenches in or
der to change the course of the lava
streams, and at times gave an example
| of his energy by working himself. Car
| dinal Frisco distributed necessaries of
| life to the peasants, and even went SO
, far as to give away the rings he wore
on his fingers. Repeatedly he exclaim-
ed to the frightened peasants, Pray,
my children, you may be sure God will
not desert you
taken to the mountainside to confront
the lava is frequently moved backward
as the tide advances.
Considerable apprehension is felt be-
cause Of the earthquakes shocks, which
are growing stronger and are felt even
at Castellammare, Is miles southeast Of
this city. Each shock is accompanied
by deep and prolonged detonations.
| Ottajano, at the northeast foot Of
| the mountain, is threatened by a
stream of lava, and the people are be-
| ginning to desert the town.
The populace of Tore Annunziata, al
| the south foot, having requested that
night trains be run to the town. This
request has been granted, and trains
are now ready to proceed thither il
case of need.
Signor Matteucci, director Of the OBJ
| servatory on Vesuvius, still continues
to occupy a most dangerous position
With him is an American engineer
named Perret.
New craters have opened at differ
ent points on the mountain, but it is
impossible to ascertain their number