The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-11
Living Victims of the Earth.
quake at Messina
Are Being Rescued From the
Ruins by Searchers.
WAS BURIED IA DAYS.
One Man Watched His Wife and
Children Die.
One Married Couple Taken Out
Alive and Conscious.

. Messina, Jan. 11.-Search for the
buried victims of Italy's last great
earthquake still continues and is fire.
quently rewarded with the rescue of
the living. Yesterday noon a man
named Benzaija, who had spent IA
days without food locked in the ruins
of his home. was taken out uncon-
scious and resuscitated. He had been
caught in a kind of straight Jacket
formed by the debris and unable to
move was compelled to watch the
lingering death of his wife and four
children. Saturday a married couple
were removed not only alive, but con-
scious. Their ir-imprisonment had last
ed 1 8 days. On Saturday night ter
rife tempest accompanied by earth
quake shocks arose, causing a number
of fresh collapses in the ruined city
and spreading new terror among the
survivors. Most of the people in Mes
| Sina were camped under tents, or huts,
| and nearly all of these were destroyed
| by the wind and binding rain. over
| so feet of the landing quays in the
| harbor was swept away, carrying off a
| large quantity of provisions stored
| there and several horses. Two soldiers
narrowly escaped death. Near Giarre
| an immense fissure opened. 1t was
| $50 feet long, three feet wide and 65
| feet deep and has been styled ''The
1
The American consulate, where the
stores from the relief ship Bayern are
| being distributed, was besieged all day
yesterday by crowd of hungry refu-
gees. The American committee, which
is working strenuously, is receiving ex-
pressions of gratitude from all quar-
! ters. General Mazzai,l who is in su-
| preme command here, yesterday
| thanked Ambassador GriScom warmly
| for the humane initiative of his coun-
| trymen, suggesting that as the great
| exodus from MeSsina has left the city
practically without any wounded the
most urgent need for the Bayerns SER
/ vices was along the coast towns, espe-
| cially Catania and Syracuse. The
| Bayern has proceeded to those points
The supply ship Yapkton VIII remain
here to convey to Naples the bodies OF
1.-THE American consul and his wife when
| they are recovered.
Ambassador Griscom paid a visit
Saturday to the house of the Catholic
| archbishop, who, after confessing that
/ his relief committee lacked both food
| and money, entrusted the ambassador
| with a message to Archbishop Ireland
| of st. Paul, who is now in Rome. ask
| ing him to make another appeal for
! American aid. Food, clothing and
| other supplies were Immediately sent
to the archbishop's committee from
| the Bayern.
The disinfecting of the city is pro-
| crossing rapidly. Two repositories
connected by ferryboat have been es-
| tabliShed and diSinfectantS VIII also be
| transported along the Sicilian and Ca
| labrian coasts for distribution among
| the inland villages. The illumination
| by electric light has been partially re-
| established. The American fleet,
| which arrived here Saturday morning
| and left Saturday night, made great
| impression. Expressions of gratitude
| and admiration are still heard on all
| sides. Admiral Sperry's last act be-
| fore leaving was to send a launch with
| a burial party to convey the body of
Mrs. A. j.. Ogston, wife of the British
| consul, across the straits to the Eng
| glish cemetery.
| The survivors of the city fathers will
| meet January Is to elect new officials
| to replace those dead.
| Prof. Salinas has succeeded in saw
| ing from the ruins of the civic mu-
| scum several valuable paintings in
| Guiding the famous Triptych by An
| tonello De Messina of 1853.
| General Mazza, in his report to the
| premier said that the recovery of
| valuables stolen from the ruins was
progressing satisfactorily. Seven
| thieves were arrested Saturday. Al
most $3,O0O,0O0 in money and valu-
ables besides the contents of the safes
| of the various banks has already been
| recovered from the ruins of the earth
| quake.