davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-30
REFUGEES MADDENED BY
TERROR REACH PALERMO

PALERMO. Dec. 2s.-Railroad COM
munication with Messina has been re-
stored. A train load of refugees came
in here this morning, but they are all
maddened with terror and no one is
capable of giving a connected account
of the catastrophe.
All agree, however, that Messina has
been destroyed and the victims win be
counted by the tens of thousands.
The Triancria hotel, with ninety
guests, was demolished. The city hall,
the bourse, the Geographic Office and
the barracks also were destroyed.
A tidal wave thirty feet high swept
up three streets of the city in the
height of the confusion following the
shock Hundreds of half-dressed men,
women and children who had fed from
their houses to the streets, were caught
in the onrush of water and drowned or
injured.
A train load of doctors, nurses and
hospital equipment has been sent out
from here for Messina and the steamer
Margherita, loaded to the rails with
persons who had relatives in the
doomed city. and others who will join
in the relief work, also has left.
The refugees declare the entire
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-30

CATANIA, Sicily, Dec. 29.-Mount
Etna is this morning showing consider
able activity, and the detonations, which
can be plainly heard in this city, to-
gether with the volume of smoke roll
ing out of the crater, have added to the
panic of the people.
According to the director of the local
observatory, this activity is directly
connected with the earthquakes of yes
terday which wrought such havoc IN
Calabria and Sicily, but great erup-
ton is not expected.
Such phenomena seldom accompany
violent seismic disturbances.
The following graphic story is told
by a woman who arrived here from
Messina this morning, badly injured:
internal is the only word that ade-
quately describes the fearful and ter
rifying scene," she said.
when the first shock came most OF
the city was fast asleep. / was a,wak-
ened by the rocking of the house. Win
dows swayed and ratified and crockery
and glass crashed to the floor.
'The next moment / was violently
thrown out of my bed to the floor.
II was half stunned, but knew the
only thing to do was to make my way
outdoors. The streets were filed.
Everybody had rushed out in their
night clothes, needless of the rain fall
ing in torrents. Terrified shrieks arose
from all sides, and we heard frantic APP
peals for help from the unfortunates
pinned beneath the ruins.
walls were tottering all around us
and not one of our party expected to
escape alive. My brothers and sisters
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-30

ROME, Dec. 29.-The earthquake, ac-
cording to every report, wrecked city
after city in Southern Italy, obliterat-
ing smaller towns and villages with
out number.
The tidal wave swept along the
Straits of Messina and added to the
horror, drowning the people in their
helplessness and panic.
Fire came to complete the work of
destruction. Flames broke out in the
devastated cities and countless num-
bers of injured men, women and chill
dren were burned to death.
Any adequate estimate of the total
casualties is as yet quite impossible,
but the Rome Tribuna places the num-
Der at between 5000 and 10000.
The horror and destructiveness of
this visitation probably will exceed that
of any earthquake in the history of
the world. In 1888 10000 persons per-
ished at Messina from an earthquake.
Reports of heavy loss of life are COM
ing in every hour from city and town
and nearly every village in the strick-
en- zone. The story in it's detail has
only begun to be told.
The horror grows as further reports
come in.
Messina has been fire-swept The
dead there alone will run into the tens
of thousands.
Reggie Is a sepulcher of the dead.
Catania suffered heavily.
Mount Etna, the volcano on the
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-30

of the frightened people now, but on a
much larger scale.
Two Italian newspapers, the Balla-
tino Della Sera and the Progressio,
each headed a subscription list started
in their columns by subscribing $500
each.
Two other Italian newspapers,
L'Usaldo and TELEGRAPH, have advised
their readers to send contributions di-
rect to the Red Cross, explaining that
the money would reach it's destination
much quicker in that way.
All of the Italian newspapers issued
extra additions today giving transla-
lions of the cable dispatches brought
to this country to describe the horror.
The American National Red Cross,
head, has offered its services in CO.
operating with the Italian Red Cross.
The New York state branch has today
issued a call for aid.
Mayor Desplanches, the italian am
bassador to the United States, is ex-
pected to reach this city late tonight
from Montreal.
Though the regular Mediterranean
tourist season has not yet started,
there doubtless were hundreds of
Americans in Calabria and Sicily, and
there are grave fears for their safety.
Captain Charles c. Fenger, formerly
in the federal service here, and his wife
have been travelling in Italy. and ten
days ago word was received from them
they were about to leave Rome for
Reggie
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-30
FIRE. FLOOD AND VOLCANO
ADD TO TEMBLO R'S HORROR

island of Sicily, is active. The detona-
lions are reverberating over Catania
and add to the terror.
Volumes of smoke are pouring from
the crater.
The work of rescue is being pushed
forward with every possible energy
Troops are being poured into the zone
but the efforts at succor are as yet
utterly inadequate.
France, Great Britain and Russia are
hurrying warships to the scene.
King Victor Emmanuel and Queen
Helena have left Rome for the south
His majesty will superintend in person
the work of relief.
The queen, refusing to let her hus-
band go alone, insisted upon sharing
his dangers
The pope has made an appeal to Ro-
man Catholics the world over for help
He has headed the relief subscription
list with a donation of 100000
There is CONSERVATION in Rome The
telegraph and newspaper offices are be-
sieged by weeping crowds demanding
news.
Every fresh telegram tells the same
story of death, destruction and desola-
ton.
Ambassador Griscom has telegraphed
to Messina and Palermo, inquiring as
to the fate of Arthur S. Cheney OF
Connecticut, the American consul, and
Joseph H. Pierce, the American vice
consul at MeSSina.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-30
REFUGEE TELLS OF AWFUL
DESTRUCTION OF MESSINA

were with me, and in a frenzy of terror
we CROPPED our way through the streets
holding our own against the panic
stricken people, clambering over piles
of ruins, until we finally reached a
place of comparative safety.
But this was not done before l was
struck down and badly injured by a
piece of furniture that fell out of the
upper story of a house.
"All along the road we We're jostled
by scores of fleeing people, half clad
like ourselves. The houses seemed to
be crashing to the ground in whatever
direction we went.
Suddenly the sea began to pour into
the town. 1t seemed to me that this
must mean the end Of everything. The
incoming waters rolled in huge wave,
accompanied by a terrific roar.
1.-THE sky WAS aglow with the reflec-
ton of burning palaces and other build
ings, and as If this were not enough,
there suddenly shot up into the sky a
huge burst of flame, followed by a
crash that seemed to shake the whole
town. This probably was the gas
works blowing up.
"Evantually we reached the principal
square of Messina. Here we found 1000
or 5000 utterly terrified people assem-
bled. None of us knew what to do.
We were all in agony of fear.
men and women prayed, groaned
and shrieked. I saw one of the big
buildings ON the square collapse. 1t
seemed to me that scores of persons
were buried beneath the ruins. Then
lost consciousness. / remember no
more"
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-30
ITALIAN RULERS ON WAY
TO SCENE OF CATACLYSM

diplomat to learn of the departure of
the king and queen from Rome.
He hurried to the railroad station
and offered his majesty condolences in
the name of the United states, saying
the San Francisco disaster made it
possible for America to appreciate the
calamity that had overtaken southern
Italy.
The king and queen thanked Mr..
Griscom warmly and asked him to
convey their appreciation to the Amer
lean president and people.
There was a great crowd at the sta
ton to see their majesties. The women
cried and said: "God bless you!" as
they babe farewell to their majesties.
Many hundreds of living persons are
still beneath the ruins in Calabrian
towns, but it is quite impossible to re-
lieve them.
At Eyposto the tidal wave was ter
rible. At first the sea receded for a
great distance from the shore and then
1t is understood King Victor End
lence. The water advancing in a huge
wave. swept before it every house and
building for a thousand feet from the
swept forward with tremendous vio-
shore line. The water rushed through
the streets of Eyposto to q depth Of
from twenty to thirty feet.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-30

country around Messina has been de-
vastated, and that several villages
have disappeared.
Telegraphic reports have been re-
ceived here from all parts of the island
of Sicily They say that the inhabi-
tants everywhere are terror stricken
and praying in the streets and
churches.
Reggie is described as nothing but
a vast sepulcher.
The captain of the steamer Wash
ington, which was in the Straits of
Messina at the time of the earthquake,
says his vessel shuddered as if she had
run aground A thick foG prevailed at
the time, and it was impossible for him
to see the Messina lighthouse or the
Calabrian coast. The washington
soon was surrounded with boats APP
pealing for aid.
The people were taken on board. The
sea was Uttered with wreckage in
every direction.
Among those who lost their lives al
Messina are Commandant PASSING and
all the members of his family.
The Russian warships that were al
Syracuse also have left for Messina to
aid in the work of rescue.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-30

The work of rescue at Messina, ac-
cording to the meager details received
here tonight, presented narrowing
scenes. Hundreds of people were
pinned under walls and rafters alive.
One of the rescuers found under the
ruins of house five children alive but
unable to speak, lying around the
corpse of their mother.
Heroic Resecuers Meet Death
In some cases heroic rescuers met
death in the falling debris.
In one house twenty persons were
suspended on the fifth floor and unable
TO reach the street because the lower
floors had been torn away and We're
rescued with. a rope by a sailor.
six criminals were killed while ST.
tempting to loot the Bank of Sicily,
where cash amounting to half mill
lion dollars lay in plain view.
Latest reports received state that 1000
soldiers from the various barracks at
Messina were buried under the ruins.
The rock of Charybdis now blocks the
entrance to the Strait Of Messina. The
tidal wave wrecked the lighthouse in
the strait, including Faro beacon, and
they crashed into the sea.
Some Of Latest Reports
Refugees from Messina to Palermo
say there were 100 foreigners in the
Hotel Trinacria, and that they all lost
their lives.
She hotel has been completely OBJ
4 ferated It was one of the best in
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-30
AMERICAN RED CROSS
SOCIETY WIRES TO ALL
BRANCHES FOR RELIEF

WASHINGTON, Dec. 29.-The Ameri-
can National Red Cross today sent out
telegraphic requests to all of its
branches for relief funds to be applied
to the sufferers from the earthquake III
southern Italy.
The Red Cross society also requested
the state department to extend to the
American ambassador expressions OF
sympathy from the American society to
the Italian Red Cross and to inquire tc
what exetent relief measures will be
necessary.
The Red Cross will have to wait until
contributions are received in response
to the appeal sent out today, as the
balance remaining in the treasury Is
but $1,000, which will be kept in re-
serve for emergencies within the United
States.
on the occasion of the eruption OF
Vesuvius $4,000 was sent to Italy by
the American Red Cross.
There are no American naval vessels
in the vicinity of southern Italy. The
Scorpion, which is at Constantinople, is
nearer the scene of the disaster than
any other American naval vessel.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-30
UNITED KINGDOM IN GRIP
OF WORST STORM IN YEARS

LONDON, Dec. 29-The whole of
the United Kingdom is in the grip of
blizzard of exceptional violence, espe-
cially Scotland and the north of Ire
land
It has ragged for the last forty-eight
hours, accompanied by very low te1il-
perature and a driving wind that has
completely disorganized the Northern
railway service and caused suspension
of all street traffic.
Many towns are isolated and num-
Der of accidents and deaths from eX-
posture have been reported.
There also have been several SNIP
ping casualties, but fortunately these
were not attended by serious loss of
life. London is covered with mantle
of snow several inches in depth, while
in Scotland and the north of Wales
snowdrifts have blocked roadways and
railways.
The cross channel passenger service
and the telegraph and telephone hnes
in all directions have been SUSPENDED
All outdoor labor has ceased.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-30
GHOULS STRIP DEAD AND
PILLAGE RUINS OF CITIES

ROME, Dec. 29.-The disaster in the
province of Calabria and the island OF
Sicily has assumed staggering proper
tons.
Each successive report received from
the stricken region makes it more APP
parent that the first stories of the wide
spread destruction were little, if any
exaggerated
Reports are coming in from several
smaller towns giving estimates of dead
from 500 up to several thousand in each
Of them.
Reggie still remains in it's isolation
It Is impossible to get word from the
stricken city, and the silence gives rise
10 the most fearful apprehensions.
News has come from Messina, eight
miles north of Reggie, but no reliable
estimate of the dead there has been
made.
Vandalism of the worst kind has
broken out and the government has
adopted the most strict measures for
its restriction. Robbers and looters are
shot on sight.
The prison at Messina collapsed, some
Of the prisoners being killed, but the
survivors made their escape and Joined
the vandals who were sacking the city
Such confusion reigned that the rob-
bers met with no resistance.
Police Chief Dead
The local chief of police lies dead il
the ruins of his Office. The barracks
at Messina were demolished. The com
mander of the troops was killed out
right and there are many victims
among the enlisted men.
The government last night sent Gen
Feirrera di Cossatti, an army corps
commander, to take full charge of the
troops in the devastated territory.
One of the first moves will be to de-
clare martial law. The robbers pill
laying the ruins of shattered buildings
even stole clothing and valuables IRON
! the corpses of the victims.
They were not deferred by the flames
! that broke out in several sections OF
the city, but took advantage of the
4 light for their vandalism.
The night in Messina was one Of
horror indescribable-fire, robbery, dead
and dying on every side, the city in the
utmost confusion and the people undel
spell of terror.
Ssr Troops Take Command
Troops began to put into Messina last
night, and this morning a number OF
steamers arrived from the peninsula
with soldiers on board
Patrols were at once organized ane
efforts made to bring some order into
the situation.
Bands of citizens were formed anc
x>belped heroically in the work of rescue
MANY courageous acts were per-
formed by soldiers and citizens alike
and in some cases the rescuers them
selves lost their lives in trying to hell
others.
Toward morning several Of the worst
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-30
PRESIDENT DISPATCHES
SYMPATHY OF NATION
TO VICTOR EMMANUEL

WASHINGTON Dec. 29.-President
Roosevelt, through the state depart
ment, today sent to King Victor En-
manuel of Italy a dispatch expressing
his horror and that of the American
people over the disaster which has be-
fallen southern Italy and Sicily by the
earthquake visitation, and rendering
sincere sympathy.
The president also notes that the
American National Red Cross has is
sued an appeal for contributions to aid
the sufferers, and that the organiza-
ton has notified him that it will imme-
diately communicate with the italian
Red Cross.
AS private cablegram after cablegram
confirmed the frightful extent of the
catastrophe, the Italian embassy at
taches freely expressed their grief.
Ambassador Mayor des Planches is
Fastening to Washington from New
York, having left the city for brief
rest during the holidays.
Following is the text of the presi-
dents message to the king of Italy;
"riis Majesty, Victor Emmanuel Rome.
with all my countrymen, am ap-
palled by the dreadful calamity which
has befallen your country. l offer my
sincerest sympathy. The American Ma
tional Red Cross has issued appeals for
CbHlI iDuliOllo LII 6dlAOiN u . fNAAN' AACNAAA-~-
me that they will Immediately COM
municate with the italian Red Cross
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
The American National Red Cross to-
day sent a telegram over the signature
of it's president, William H. Taft, to
the italian Red Cross at Rome in the
following language:
1.-THE American Red Cross desires to
tender to the italian Red Cross It's pro-
Of nc
Bile earthquake in Italy and Calabria.
An appeal has been issued by the
American Red Cross for contributions
for the relief of the sufferers"
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-30

fires had been extinguished, the loot
ing was under partial control and
comparative order had been estab-
lished.
Everything possible is being done to
succor the wounded, but the relief
measures are still utterly inadequate,
owing to the immensely of the disaster.
The finest palaces, churches and
theaters of Messina are heaps of ruins.
Countless dead bodies are scattered
through the wreckage and thelr De
composition will doubtless bring pes
thence to add to the horrors of the
situation.
Devastation Complete
The devastation over the entire dis
trict was complete. No part of the
province of Reggie de Calabria escaped.
The disturbance was most severe
along the shores of the Straits of Mes
sina, where the cities of Messina and
Reggie are situated.
In more than one town the shocks
caused gas meters to explode and dis
astrous fires resulted. The flames
helped greatly to swell the death list.
The configuration of the Straits of
Messina has been materially altered
The tidal wave that completed the
destruction by the earthquake was
thirty-two feet high.
Wireless telegraphy has been of the
greatest assistance in getting IN re-
ports from the devastated regions, and
in helping the authorities to realize
the extent of the disaster and to send
help to the places where it was most
urgently needed
A flying squadron of the Italian navy,
composed of the three best battleships,
had left for a cruise on the Atlantic
before the first news of the disaster
came to hand.
Wireless Aids Greatly
Through the medium of wireless tel
egraphy it was possible to reach these
vessels and order them to proceed at
full speed for Messina.
A British squadron that was at SYRIA
cuse has left for Messina, taking doc
tors and supplies of medicines, etc.
There also are several Russian ships
at Syracuse.
1t is reported from Catania that the
bishop of Messina is buried under the
ruins of his residence.
Signor Fulci, a member of the cham
Der of deputies from Messina, together
with the members of his family, also
is reported dead.
The Fulci family was one of the
most prominent in Catania-
The dome of the cathedral at Ca
tania collapsed and other churches, as
we'll as the city hall, threaten to fall at
any moment.
The tidal wave sank number of
small vessels in the harbor of Ca
tania.
At Rhiosto the tidal wave was TWEEN
ty-five feet high. 1t swept in with APP
palling power and lasted for forty-two
| seconds.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-30

ROME, Dec. 29.-Queen Helena has
refused to allow her husband, the king,
10 On alone to the scene of the disas-
tor She said she would not give up
ber privilege of sharing her husbands
dsneers. and consequently both king
and queen left Rome this afternoon for
The royal couple arrived earlier in
The dav from Naples The queen ex-
nIained to member of her encourage
Nat She considered it her duty to do
~ ~ her power to comfort and help
har AFFLICTED subjects.
The king and queen left the railroad
station here at 1880 p. m. A number
~ ministers senators and deputies
taeefher with the mayor of Rome,
we're al the station to bid them tare-
we'll. ,o.o +,is forenoon
M IVA holiness, Pope Plus X, will in
w. 10 the establishment of an in
800 IIonal committee of Catholics the
.na,.sd liver to assist the survivors OF
w tr,a Eholiness heads the subscription
~ r,y,Et, 000. 600 lire (S200,000).
nr,ssrueE will give 1000 900 lire for the
relief az the victims.
Ambb ssador Griscom was the only
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-30

the city and patronized almost ex~
clusively by tourists.
It was situated in the Via Garibaldi.
Pope Plus x today was notified that
the entire religious communities OF
Messina and Reggie, including bishops,
priests, monks and nuns, have been
wiped out by the earthquake and fire.
Premier Giolitti, now In Rome, has
received a telegram from Deputy Fe-
lice, at Messina, confirming reports
OF the complete destruction of Messina
by fire following the earthquake. The
deputy says that the dead at Messina
will be counted by the tens of thou
sands.
At London a special dispatch from
Canzora says only few thousand out
of the entire population of Reggio
have escaped death or injury. The
population of Reggie is placed at
sc. 000 The city is south of Messina-
A dispatch from Monte Leone, GAIA
bria, says the town of Palmi has been
practically destroyed, as has also Bag
nara.
The dead at Palmi number 1000, and
it is impossible to estimate the NUM-
Der of the injured.
Large numbers were killed at Bag
nara, and the list of wounded there
also will be heavy.
The tidal wave inundated villa at
San Giovanni, $500 feet back from the
shore line.
Palmi has 10000 inhabitants and Bag
! nara 1900.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-30
AMERICAN DIPLOMAT AND
HIS WIFE AMONG VICTIMS

ranean, being received there by wire
less from Messna by Consul William
IL. Gale and transmitted by him to the
state department:
1.-THE Messina consulate destroyed and
consul and wife supposed to be dead:
'LUPTON."
Consul Gale, in forwarding the dis
patch by cable, added that Lupton is
supposed to have escoped. He stated
that a British warship had left Malta
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-30
places to Send Relief

NEW YORK, Dec. 29.-Count Massi,,
ella. the Italian consul here, has issued
the following statement: subscriptions
for the relief of the victims of the
earthquake in Sicily and Calabria are
officiaily open at the consulate general
of Italy, 226 La Fayette street, New
York city; at the italian chamber OF
commences. 2O3 Broadway, and at the
office of the italian Red Cross, So Wall
street. The amount of these subscrip-
tions will be sent at once to the Italian
Red Cross in Rome, whose efficient re-
lief of past calamities have been uni-
versally recognized"
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-30
Italians In CONSERVATION

CHICAGO, Dec 29.-The earthquake
in southern italy has thrown Chicago S
italians into state of CONSERVATION
and despair. The italian consulate was
overrun with frantic visitors, who
clanored for direct news of friends and
relatives, and several italian theaters
closed their doors. At the Bella Italia,
a favroite gathering place on Des
PLANES street, several hundred listened
while one of them translated the Eng
lish columns into italian. His voice
was frequently drowned by cries and
sobs and the shrieks of historical
4vnp1ap
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-30
San Francisco Responsive

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 29-Mayor
Taylor issued a proclamation this aft
ernoon stating that the response for aid
for the suffering people of Italy will
doubtless be quick and generous in this
city and requesting that all contrtbu-
lions be sent to Allen Knight, treasurer
of the California branch Of the Ameri-
can Red Cross, 500 California street,
san Francisco. Contributions also viii
be received by Benjamin Ide Wheeler.
president of the California branch of
the Red Cross at Berkeley.