Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-01-07

Rome,-Stunned at the magnitude
Of the calamity which has over
taken Its 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 dew
astated cities and towns and caused
the death Of thousands. Late esti-
mates put the number Of dead at 10O,-
900.
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 viii
lagos on both the continental and Sicil-
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 eff
xxft ha 81 In
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 I'm sailboat, but was
compelled to return, and finally found
safely at a 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
turned my boat back to Calabria."
Terrible Scenes at Messlna.
Starving, bleeding from injuries and
almost insane from their terrifying ex-
periences, Messina's survivors are fee
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:
'The earth seemed suddenly to drop
and then turn violently on its 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 lettering walls. where they soon
met the fate of their companions"
Brave Work Of Rescuers.
Already British and Russian squad.
rons have arrived at Nessina Sailors
and marines have been dlsembarked
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
peratjve 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, IL 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 his 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 affliction.
From rulers have come messages OF
coincidence and from the people spon-