New-York tribune., 1908-12-30
MESSINA'S HISTORY.
Population and Location Of the
DAMAGED TOzCnS.

Messfna and Catania. in Sicily. are the largest
two cities which have suffered in the earthquake
Messina has a population OF about 10000 While "a
tania has about 10000 people Messina is on ths
west side of the Strait OF Messina, near the mar
rowest part Catania IS south of Messina- on tns
east coast of the island Reggie IS the capital OF
the province Of Reggie di CaIabria. and the poPu-
Iaton is about $1,000 This city is on the east side
OF the strait not far from Messina- RipOsto Is n
Sicily ten miles southwest Of TaOrmina- II mas
a population Of something over 100
The other towns mentioned in the dispatches
are in Calabria Bagnara IS sixteen miles north
east Of Reggie and has population OF I5to Co.
senza is the capital c. COsenza province IN =
commune which has 21.OOO inhabitants. and thirty
four miles to the north is Cassano' with o'oo psO
pie. Palmi is twenty miles to the north OF Reg
gio and has d population OF something over DOW
while San Giovanni. with a population OF l-v'h
is twenty-five miles east OF COsenza-
Messina has suffered greatly from earthquakes
in the past IN 17sS lost considerable part OK
its population from one. IL was swept oy pisgnS
in 1745. and 1900 died The city has not many al
fractions for sightseers. as few memorials OF Us
past remain, although it is one OF the Oldest m
habited places IN Europe Its foundation -
ascribed 10 pirates from Curue, about 80 B. {.
when it was called ZaRcle "a sickle. rom ms
shape OF its haCbOr. facing the east AT ths END
of the fifth century before Christ fus1ttves from
Santos and NiIetus occupied the place. ana u
passed into the control Of Anaxas the tyTant OK
Phegium. who colonized IT with Messinians rom
the PeIoponnesus. who changed the name 10 Mes
After the death OF AnaxiIas the town became .
republic and so remained until the CarthaSenianS
destroyed II in warning with Donysius of Syracuse
in the fourth century Z. c. DiOuysius reoullt II
but il was again taken BY the Carthasenlans' Wno
were driven out by TimoIeOn in SsS B G. Ihe emu
OF the first Punic War left Messina IN the hahos
OF the Romans who retained II for several cen
turtles and II attained considerable Importance. IA
ss1 A d the Saracens seized II. and in l0s i vas
conquered by the NOrmans
In the time or the Crusades il was rendezvous
for soldiers and pilgrims IN the Middle Ages
became a seat OF trade. and received imPortan-
prfviIeEes from Charles / OF Spain But facuonai
feuds rent the city in 1914 and appeal vas nso'
for aid to France. but the Spauiards secured con
troll and deprived Messina Of both It's pOlitcal prl
leses and commercial Importance. its poPaiasloA
being greatly reduced Subsequent disasters pe
vented il from regaiuinE its former Importance :
was bombarded in 1S4S. cholera carried on sh's7s
thousand persons In 1854 and in 1850 Il was oeuep
by Garibaldi
Catania was founded at about the sans tine
Messina by the Chalcidians. and suffered ~
from wars In its early history. II was partl-is
stroyed by an eruption OF Mount Hstna IN u "a
and nearly annhilated by earthquaAe n -
Again in 1898 Il suffered greatly in hNs I-s,a
Reggie was nearly destroyed IN 1ISS. out ai'S
was rebuilt.