Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-01-12
YANKEE SURVIVORS
ARRIVE At ROME
PARTY ARRIVES AT ROME AND
GIVE GRAPHIC ACCOUNT OF
QUAKE THAT DESTROYED sICI-
LIAM CITIES.

ROME. Jan. s.-The first of a number
OF Americans who were in Sicily at the
time of the earthquake arrived today.
They were Harold Sherman, Miss May
Sherman and Robert Frazier, of Eliza
beth, n. j. Miss Sherman, in an inter-
view with the Associated Press, gave an
| interesting account of her experiences in
the earthquake zone and description OF
the work being done for the refuge and
at Giardini, just below Taormina-
First Shocks Slight
ION the morning of December 2s,' Miss
Sherman said, "a strong earthquake
shock was felt at Taormina but no In
jury was done. Even the ceilings were
not cracked. I awoke to see the furni-
ture swaying or moving about. 1 was
alarmed at first but afterward was re-
assured by hearing 1t said that such a
thing as houses being thrown down by
an earthquake at Taormina was I'M
known. The inhabitants of the city, how
ever, were horror stricken and fed to
the streets where they formed process
sions. carrying statues of st. Peter and
praying that no harm could come to
them or the town.
"It was Tuesday before we received
the terrible news from Messina, which
ordinarily is only two hours distant from
Taormina. That afternoon the railways
TO Catania began running. Hearing that
enormous numbers Of refugees and
wounded were passing through the sta
ton of Giarini, four miles from Taormina,
the English residents, the American WIS.,
itors and strangers of all nations stay
ing at Taormina determined to organize
and help in providing relief for the poor
people who were clsmoring pitifully for
food and water.
Quick Relief Planned
'The roads from Taormina to Giardini
were in the worst imaginable shape, but
all during the week following the earth
quake this enthusiastic band of workers
went backward and forward carrying as
much bread, bandages and clothing as
they could collect. The sights seen among
the refugees were most narrowing They
were piled into the railroad carriages one
on top OF another. Many were absolute
ly naked and covered with mud and half
dead from hunger.
"Others sometimes were bleeding from
the horrible wounds that had not been
cared for. One woman had her arms lit
orally torn from their sockets and others
had their legs torn off,"
Miss May Sherman. of Elizabeth, N. J.,
who was active in the measures under
taken at Taormina for the relief OF the
earthquake sufferers, and who now is in
Rome, today gave further details of the
condition of the refugees who came under
her observation. Some of the wounded.
she said, was so seriously hurt that there
was very little chance of their reaching
Catania alive. They were therefore taken
| from the train and given every attention
possible at Taormina.
Four of the wounded died during the
first two days.
"Al the bakers Of Taormina," Miss
Sherman went on, I'VE kept at work
making bread and they were paid by con-
tributions from the foreign colony. We
all did everything possible to obtain
clothing to cover the shivering and naked
people. There were many children among
the refugees who had been made orphans
by the earthquake.
"A Mrs. WEIGH, who had intended going
to Messina the day before the earthquake,
saved her life by postponing her depar-
ture Mrs. Welch has taken charge Of a
little girl refugee, evidently of gentle
birth, and II she is not claimed, will
adopt the child.
Lady Hill and her daughter, who have
school at Taormina In which they
teach embroidery, gave themselves up to
nursing and caring for the sufferers, re-
ceiving some in their own villa.
"I was much struck by the behavior of
the refugees. They seemed dazed with
terror and suffering, but they were abso-
lutely accomplishing. They were ready to
share whatever was given them with each
other, and even those that were suffer
ing the most did not forget to thank us
| for the xindnasSaS shown them /"