Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-12-29

try. The tidal wave sunk 500 boats
and did great damage to several large
vessels and steamers. including the
Austrian steamer Buda
The tidal wave at Messina made tor
rents of the handsome streets that
flank the harbor, covering them with
a thick layer of mud, which rendered
more difficult the succoring of the
wounded, many Of whom could be seen
lying under the wreckage.
1t is reported that the villages OF
Faro and Ganzirri, adjoining Messina.
have disappeared. The effects of the
earthquake were aggravated by fire
thru an explosion Of gas. the flames
which swept along several of the
streets adding terror upon terror
In Calabria the region around Mon
teleone was most affected. The VIII
lage OF Stefanaccni. the Inhabitants
OF which number 1900 was practic-
ally destroyed. Only five persons We're
killed, but many were injured.
Mgr Morabito, the bishop of Mileto,
who distinguished himself in the
earthquake of 1905, did valiant work
again yesterday. He rushed into places
where the ruin was greatest and
brought aid and encouragement to
all.
Thousands of people abandoned their
homes, altho a terrific rain storm pre-
vailed, and filled the air with lamen-
tations and prayers.
Rush to Falling Churches.
In some places, such as Prizzo, Cot
roma. Santa Severina, and Piscopio, the
people had the courage to enter the
churches almost while they were fall
ing and carry out the saints. They
bore these in procession thru the open
country invoking the mercy of God.
In the mountainous regions inland
the population has taken refuge in
grottoes and caves, where peasants
and priests, soldiers, and persons OF
gentle birth are living in common
Their bed is the ground, and fires burn
to keep off wild animals. In Albi
alone 1000 people are homeless.
Parade With Saints Body.
Cardinal Nava, archbishop of Ca
tania, exhorted the people there to be
calm. He promised that the body Of
st. Agatha should be carried round
in procession.
st. Agatha is regarded as the special
deliverer from all scourges, and, ac-
cording to history, the pious inhabi-
tants of Catania diverted the course
of the lava stream in 1869, when a
fearful eruption of Mount Aetna took
place, by extending the veil OF ST.
Agatha towards it, thus saving the
city, as the lava was turned aside near
the Benedictine monastery and de-
scended into the sea.
While the number of deaths at that
place is not believed now to be large.
there were many tragic occurrences.
Baby Torn From Mother.
Among the children swept away by
the tidal wave was a boy Is months
old who was torn from the arms of
his mother. The mother, too. was over
come by the force Of the water and lost
consciousness, but her body was caught
by a railing and remained there until
she was rescued.
A severe shock was felt at Caltaniss-
eta, a city of Sicily, and altho much
damage was done, no one was killed.
The shock created great alarm and,
Notwithstanding the downpour of rain,
the whole population remained in the
streets thruout the day and marched
in religious procession.
Reports from all the towns and viii
lagos around Messina state that the
gravest damage was done to public
buildings and churches at Florida,
Noto, Chiaramonto, Vittoria, Paterno,
Terranova, Marianopon and Marc.
At Mineo there were a number of
shocks. At Augusta, which once before
was destroyed by an earthquake, the
tidal wave yesterday wrecked the gov
ernment salt works. The prisoners en-
ployed there mutinied, but were event.
ually suppressed.
At Patti the shock was accompanied
by binding flash Of light, while SER
ious havoc was wrought at Barcelona
and ten persons were killed at Castro
real and Montagano.
Other Quakes Are Feared.
Professor Jicco, director of the
Mount Aetna observatory says that the
center Of the earthquake was near the
volcano. 1t is possible that further
shocks will follow those of yesterday.
but these are expected to be Of minor
force.
The Santa Maria college at Ali, a lit
tie place between Messlna and Catania.
was overthrown. several Of the girl
students being buried in the ruins.
GhouIs Already Busy.
There is no doubt that a large por-
ton of Messina has been destroyed To
add to the terrible effects of the dis
aster, thieves were soon at work set
ting fires at various points and stealing
everything they could lay their hands
to, even robbing the injured as they
lay helpless and the dead. Stores were
broken into, and great disorder and
even terrorism prevailed for a time
The authorities, however, promptly
took the most stringent measures to
maintain order, and those who were
caught in acts of incendiarism and
robbery were severely dealt with.
FIGHTING AT MACURO