The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-11-23

A~oAAANt Ca ~
exploded in St Peters today. The
edifce was crowded and an indes-
cribable scene Of confusion followed.
There We're no fatalities. AS soon
IS the echoes Of the tremendous o a
had ceased, 4 canon sought by re-
assuring words TO quiet the people.
but in vain. They fed in all direc-
tons and a number OF women faint
ed. Women and children screamed
and men tried To protect their fam
lilies in the chash. The church Is 50
large, however, hat there was ample
room for the crowd to scatter and no
one was injured. No trace of the per-
petrator of the deed has been found.
Since Saint Anacletus, who was or
dained by Peter himself, erected an
oratory in 80 A. D.. on the site Of the
present bascilica to mark the spot,
where the remains of St. Peter are
buried, no such ~dastardly occurance
is noted in the annals of the church.
HOLY RELICS EXPOSED.
Today was the anniversary of the
dedication Of the bascilica to st. Peter
and it was beautifully decorated for
the occasion. Holy relics were ex-
posed and a large number of the faith
fulfill attended the services. Cardi-
nal Rampolla, formerly papal secre-
tary OF state, was among those pres
ent. He took part in the service in
the choir chapel. The last mass had
just been concluded when tho explo-
sion occurred and only one canon,
who had not quite finished, remained
at the altar of Saint Petronilla. This
altar is at the end OF the right aisle.
and it was near here that the bomb
had been placed. As the cannon
turned TO bless the communicates
there was tremendous roar, which
echoed through the lofty arches of the
immense dome like a thunder clap.
PANIC SEXES PEOPLE.
At the same time a dense smoke
spread throughout this portion Of the
basilica and a strong odor of gun
powder filled the air. Confusion and
DdiII at oi1Jc SSILtu lAc ptJpIt. lAr
! canon at the altar tried to stem the
! tide Of fear. He shouted: d not
be afraid, It is nothing, merely the
MONDAY gun" His words, however,
had little effect. They were refuted
by the smoke and the pungent smell
Of powder, and the people continued
their headlong flight. Chairs were
overthrow. making the confusion
more serious. Men and women fed.
stumbling in all directions. the
screams Of children Inc cries of an
guish were heard on all sides, and for
a few moments IL seemed as IL moth
ing could obviate a grave disaster.
The vast size OF the church, however,
gave room for the crowd to scatter
and at he end of a few moments the
people were surging toward the doors.
excited and nervous, but orderly.
AS o as the smoke cleared away,
a hasty examination showed that no
body had been hurt in the crush and
furthermore that no one had been
wounded by the explosion. Calm was
gradually restored ano people return
ed to view the extent OF the damage.
NEWS BROKEN TO POPE.
The Pope was engaged In his reg
ular noon hour devotions when the
bomb went of. He heard q mufied
sound which surprised him bat did
not alarm him. Monsignor Miscia-
telli, sub-prefect Of the Apostolic pal
aces, and Monsignor Bisleti, major
domo Of the Vatican, at once hurried
fy entered the pontif's chamber. They
were so pale that the pope imme-
diately asked, What has ~happened?'
DO not be alarmed, Holy Father"
was the nswer "a bomb has ex-
ploded in the basilica, but fortunate
~ there are no deaths to deplore and
no one has been wounded"
The pontiff asked anxiously IL the
church had been injured. Upon be-
ing he must implore mercy for the
ing treasured, fell on his knes, say