The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1908-12-31

nectly of whole districts swept away
in moment and of entire families
annihilated. Reggie remains isolated
in ghostly desolation. The railroads
and foot paths have been utterly de-
stroyed, while the survivors lack, food
water and medical supplies.
s The visits of the King and Queen to
Messina and Reggie. aroused wide
spread enthusiasm. They spent sew
era1 hours in both places aud their
visit impaired fresh impetus to the
work of rescue.
The Straits of Messina are covered
with floating bodies of men, women
and children and all kinds of wreck
age. The shores of the Straits have
been completely transformed in ap-
pearance The light houses on the
headlands have disappeared.
A dispatch from the observatory
at Riposto says the center of the
earthquake was probably in the sea
in the southern part of the Straits OF
Messina. The seismograph at MiIeto
continues to record slight shocks.
Signer Stangei, the distinguished sci
enlist attached to the Florence obser-
vatory, is of the opinion that the cata-
clysm was geographical rather than
volcanic, and believes the trouble was
caused by the subsidence of lower
strata The result of this depression
was that huge cracks appeared from
the semi-circular center which was
the local point of disturbance.
FrightfuI scenes at Messina.
Messina, Dec. 31.-Frightful scenes
occurred here today amid the ruins of
the custom house. Bands of famished
individuals were cropping among the
debris in the hope of discovering
food. The first of the searchers, who
were successful, were attacked by
others with revolvers and knives and
obliged to divide their findings. In the
struggle the famished men threw them
selves upon each other like wolves
and several fell disemboweled in de-
Tending handful of dry bones or
few ounces of flour. One unfortunate
was pinned to plank by knife,
while c1inging to his hands was a lit
tie child for whom he fought for food.
Many Americans Are Dead;
Paris, Dec. 31.-A special dispatch
from Rome says that 90 guests, in
cluding American, English and French
travellers were staying at the Hotel
Trinaeria, at Messina when the city
was destroyed. They all perished.
Bodies Being Burned.
Reggie, Calabria, Dec. 31.-zAs a
precaution against an outbreak of pes
thence, the bodies of the persons kill
ed in the earthquake are being burn
ed and strong disfnfectants<are being
strewn over the city. The troops have
set up field kitchens and are baking
bread in the streets. Strong guards
have been placed over clothing and
provision stores, which were being
pillaged.
There is reason to believe that an
entire regiment of infantry was drown
ed by the tidal wave at Palmi. Three
hundred bodies of the soldiers have
already been recovered.
Terrific Scenes Enacted.
London. Dec. 31.-A special from
Palermo today says it is estimated
that up to this morning nearly nun
dred thousand persons had embarked
on warships and other vessels from
Messina Straits or had otherwise left
me devastated districts. All the towns
and villages along the Straits are rap
idly becoming depopulated as there
is widespread fear of further convul-
|sions.
scenes Of the weirdest nature are