Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-01-22
new QUAKE KILLS
Buildings in Italy Fall and
People Flee.
BATTLESHIPs ARE ON HAND
American War Craft in Harbor OF
Smyrna During Tremors-Messina
Ruins Are Shaken and Shattered
Edifices ToppIe Over.

Messina, Jan 20-A serious fire
broke out here yesterday among the
ruins of the earthquake wrec..ed city.
The remains of the Pennesi palace
fell in and added to the conflagration.
The flames are spreading in spite of
the work of the soldiers to control
them, and the situation is serious. An
odor Of burning flesh is mingled with
the smoke, and it is feared that per.
sons still alive are being consumed.
Sailors Hurry to Rescue.
The flames had their center in the
Pennesi palace but they spread over
the ruins of the city hall and the
Bank of Italy. Tongues of fire leaped
upward, while sparks fell in heavy
shower for considerable distance
The heat was very great The alarm
was sounded on bugles, while the war
ships in the harbor blew their fog
horns and soldiers and sailors were
hurried to the scene In large numbers
No victims of the flames have yet
been reported.
Duke of Genoa Is Hero.
The famous collection of coins be-
longing to Baron Pennesi is safe at
Acireale, near Catania. Several years
ago Baron Pennesi outbid ]. Pierpont
Morgan for rare Sicilian coin, pay
ing $4,000 for it, Mr. Morgan's high
est bid was $4,000. The duke of
Genoa made heroic rescue of a de-
mented woman, who insisted upon
forcing her way into burning pile of
ruins to save her husband. who she
dragged her back from the flames, and
eye-witnesses declare he almost lost
his own life in SO doing.
Strong Wind Spreads Flames.
A strong wind helped to spread the
flames, and the men experienced great
difficulty in working the pumps. What
remained of the beautiful promenade
along the harbor front was nearly all
destroyed. 1t is supposed that the
flames had been latent under the
wreckage for days, and that the high
wind famed them into activity.
Tremor Kills Several.
Smyrna, Jan. 20.-A sharp earthquake
was experienced here yesterday,
but there was no local damage Re-
ports received here from Phocaea, 25
miles to the northwest say that a
humber of houses fell and that three
persons were killed Buildings were
damaged in other towns.
The battleships Louisiana and Vir-
ginia are at present in this harbor.
Quake Felt at Messna.
Messina, Jan. 20.-Great alarm was
caused Monday afternoon by Sc
we're earthquake shock that toppled
over many of the shattered walls in
the city but, SO far as reported, re.
suited in no fatalities. The seismic
movement was undulatory.
The situation for the refugees still
here is very serious. They have found
shelter in tents, but for the last day
or two a cold north wind has prevailed
and there has been fall of snow, a
very rare occurrence on the Sicilian
coast.
Red Cross Fund Over 100000.
Washington, JAN 20.-The Italian
relief fund of the American Red Cross
society has passed the 100000 mark,
$4,000 being the total c. yesterdays
contributions. OF this amount $4,000
came from the New York state branch,
$4,000 from the Missouri branch, and
California's branch sent its regular
daily $4,000 remittance
The Red Cross received from the
Christian Herald $4,000 for the fund,
for the widows and orphans in the
earthquake districts. This was sent
to Baron Mayor Des Planches, the Ital-
ian ambassador, who transmitted it to
Queen Helena of Italy, who will man
age the fund.