The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-04-10

Naples, April 9.-This has been day
of terror for the cities. towns and
country about Mount Vesuvius. IN
confirmed reports place the number of
dead and injured at several hundred.
but no facts can be obtained upon
which to base an accurate estimate.
At midnight the situation appears
more assuring, the lava streams hav-
ing diminished in volume and in some
directions having stopped altogether,
while a cop1ouS rainfall is cooling the
lava where it lies stationary.
Almost equal to the deva station
wrought by the lava is damage done
by cinders and ashes, which in incred-
ible quantities have been carried great
distances.
Town Destroyed,
This has caused the practical de-
structiOn of San Giuseppe, a place of
5000 inhabitants. All but 200 of the
people had fled from San Giuseppe,
aPd these 200 assembled in q church to
E3ttend mass. While the priest was
performing his sacred offices, the roof
fell in and about sixty persons were
badly injured The unfortunates were
for hours without surgical or medical
assistance. The only thing left stand
ing in the church was a statue of St.
Anne, the preservation of which the
poor, homeless people accepted as a
miracle, and promise of deliverance
from their peril.
Twelve Killed and Many Injured.
At Ottajano five churches and ten
houses fell under the weight of ashes
and cinders which lie four feet deep
on the ground. In the fall of the
buildings about twelve persons were.
killed and many were injured. The
village is completely deserted by it's
people. After the evacuation of the
place the barracks and prisons fell in.
Reports from coast and inland towns
depict terrible devastation. San Giro
giO, Cremona, Porticci. Resina and
Tore del Greco have been almost
completely abandoned
The inhabitants of Tore Anunzia
are prepared to leave at moments
notice.
SOmma Vesuviana is another village
which has suffered most severely
Crushed Under the Weight.
The most of the buildings in the viii
lagos are of himsy construction and
calculated to bear the weight of ashes
and cinders that have fallen upon
them. Inevitably 1t VIII be found that
a considerable number Of persons have
persisted by the falling of their homes. !
Although the eruption of the volcano |
is less violent than il was twenty-fOur |
hours ago. the ashes are still falling in |
great quantities. y |
The Associated Press correspondent |
this evening made the round of the |
menaced villages. The railway and /
tram tracks were inches deep below !
volcanic ashes and the same material /
made the roads impracticable for horses /
so that an automobile was the only |
means left by which the inspection OF |
the devastated country could be made /
Ruin and Desolatlon.
TIC scene was one of such misery /
and terror that it can never be 0blit- /
Grated from memory. As the way was |
traVersed the travelling became more |
and more difficult, the smoke and ashes
in the air making breathing difficult /
Slight tremblings OF the earth were /
felt. and frequent flashes of lightning /
cut through the smoke. Darkness came |
at intervals long before nightfail. In I
the streets of the deserted towns the /
only sound TO be heard was the thud /
OF Jumps Of ashes falling on the roofs /
and the putting Of the automobile. In /
the towns where people yet remain the I
houses are closed the habitants !
roaming disconsOlately about the |
streets and gaining what comfort is I
possible from the carbineers and sol /
diers. These are the heroes of the
day. They seem never to sleep or be |
tired. and where there is danger they |
are cool, strong and alert.
New craters Formed
In the course of the tour a point WAS
reached from which Vesuvius could be
seen under its cloud of smoke. The
high cone of the volcano has gone al
most entirely, having been swallowed
up SO that the height of the mountain
is nearly 600 feet less than formerly.
on the north side of the mountain new
craters have been formed
Refugees from the threatened vii
lagos are coming into Naples by every
description of conveyance. and on foot |