The Oskaloosa herald., 1908-12-31

safety at pSainsuIa port. In describ
ing his experience he said:
The sea was strangely, mysteriously
agitated and the heavens were ablaze
Nearing Sicily, the clearing smoke re
vealed the mystery; Messina was in
flames. In the frenzy of despair /
turned my boat back to Calabria."
Terrible Scenes at Messina.
Starving, bleeding from injuries and
almost insane from their terrifying ex
periences, Messina's survivors are flee
ing in all directions. The spectacle
presented by the ruined seaport is de
scribed as terrifying. Tumbling build
ings both killed and mutilated while
hundreds Of the injured imprisoned in
the wreckage were abandoned to theiI
fate by the fleeing populace. One 'oi
these who escaped said:
THE earth seemed suddenly to droI
and then turn violently on its axis
The whole population, who practically
were precipitated from the houses rent
In twain, were spun around like tops
as they ran through the streets. Many
fell crushed to death and others, bewil-
dered, took refuge for breath beside
the tottering walls, where they soon
met the fate Of their companions"
Brave Work Of Rescuers.
Already British and Russian squad,
rons have arrived ri Messina Sailors
akal A1af,N IIr.A,N NIs,a ~
and they have performed courageous
acts in rescuing the injured and re,
moving the wounded. A large number
Of survivors have been transferred TO
the warships, which are transformed
into great floating hospitals. It is inn
peratiYe that The dead be removed
from the ruins in order to avoid pes
thence. Steamers with doctors, drug,
gists, firemen and workmen have ar
rived at Messina from Catania and
other places,
Special dispatches received here
from Calabria confirm the destruction
Of Reggie They report that the situs-
tion there is as bad, If not worse, than
at Messina. The streets in Rome are
japmed with people, who snatch the
The people are plunged in grief and
lamentations are heard on all sides.
Here and there one asks another:
When will end this awful repetition
of devastation and death in our coun-
try?"
DO ..f .,l1 10
been extended to Italy in her affliction.
From rulers have come messages OF
coincidence and from the peoples spon-
tsneous promise Of that aid which
brings the world closer together in
times OF great calamity. Great Britain.
France and Russia have sent their war
ships quick as the flash of the tele,
graph could carry she orders ~ lend
assistance to the stricken cities. Re,
lief funds have already been started
and hundred sS!ns and trains are on
their way carrying supplies and rein,
fcrcements to the south. Rome, Milan
Florence. Naples and other cities are
sending physicians, police and firemen
Yesterday all the ambassadors and
ministers expressed sympathy with NJ
'rittoni, minister of foreign affairs
whose emotion was profound.
The bourses aud theaters have been
closed throughout Italy and dispatches
of sympathy continue to pour in from
all quarters of the globe. SAG
Described by Naval Officer.
AT the time of the earthquake the
torpedo boat Sappho was lying in the
harbor Of Messiah and one of the Off
GERS told of the Occurrences as fol
lows: s"h .E
AT half-past Ave in the morning the
sea suddenly became terribly agitated
seeming literally to pick up our boat
and shake II. Other craft nearby were
similarly treated and the ships looked
like bits Of cork bobbing about in {
tempest. Almost Immediately tida
wave of huge proportions swept across
the strait. mounting the coasts ant
carrying everything before it. Scores
OF ships We're damaged and the Hun
garian mail boat Andrassy parted hei
anchors and went crashing into othel
vessels. Messlna bay was wiped out
and the sea was soon covered viii
masses of wreckage. which was car
ried off in the arms of the recedins
waters"
Many prisoners from the jalls made
their escape and looted right and left
Hundreds engaged in the work OF rob
bling the banks and business houses
(COntinued on mage Dl