River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1909-01-07

Rome.-Stunned at the magnitude
Of the calamity which has over
taken it's fellow countrymen, all Italy
mourns for the stricken province OF
Calabria and the island OF Sicily. Ac-
customed for centuries to earthquakes,
Italy stands ever in dread, but none
was prepared for the disaster which IN
the fraction of minute Monday deV-
astated cities and towns and caused
the death Of thousands. Late est1-
mates put the number of dead at 1OO,-
600.
Messina, whose tragic history has
been marked by tidal waves and war,
and which was the center of Mondays
terrestrial maelstrom, was shaken TO
ruins. Flames burst forth to complete
the city's destruction and to burn alive
untold numbers helplessly pinioned be-
meath fallen walls and broken timbers.
The Strait of Messina was shaken and
twisted by the earth's trembling, for
mariners report the channel altered
beyond recognition. The ports and vii
lagos on both the continental and S1c1l-
ian sides were wrecked or inundated
and all lighthouses along the coasts
were swallowed up. Navigation now is
dangerous and in some places impos-
sible.
Seaport Of Reggie Wiped Out.
In the Calabrian district. which was
only beginning to recover from the ef-
fects of the earthquake of 1905, Reggie
was the center of the earth's upheaval
The seaport of Reggie is reported as
no longer existing and the city proper
is in ruins. The loss of life on both
sides of the strait and in eastern
Sicily was enormous.
One of the refugees from Reggie
who was the first to bring the news OF
the city's destruction tried to make his
way to Sicily in sailboat, but was
compelled to return, and finally found
safely at peninsula 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 l
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 their
fate by the fleeing populace. One of
those who escaped said:
1.-THE earth seemed suddenly to drop
and then turn violently on it's 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 at Messina. Sailors
anu uldT1uSS nave USSn
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 hispitals. 1t is i'm
perative 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 situa-
ton there is as bad, if not worse, than
at Messina The streets in Rome are
damned with people, who snatch the
special editions from the newsboys.
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?"
All Nations Offer Aid.
The hands of all the nations have
been extended to Italy in her affection.
From rulers have come messages of
coincidence and from the people spon-