The Springfield herald., 1909-01-01
EARTHQUAKES
RACK ALL ITALY
MANY BUILDINGS DESTROYED
AND LIVES LOST IN THREE
PROVINCES.
TIDAL WAVE IN SICILY
WIRES DOWN AND REPORTS OF
THE DISASTER COMING IN
SLOWLY.

Rome.-The three provinces OF Co.
sensa, Catanzaro and Reggie di Caia-
bria. comprising the department of
Calabria. which forms the southwest
ern extremity of Italy, or "the toe Of
the boot" were devastated Monday
by an earthquake, the far-reaching ef-
fects of which were felt almost
throughout the entire country.
The town of Messina, in Sicily, was
partially destroyed and Catania was
inundated.
The fate of entire regions within the
zone of the earthquake is unknown,
but reports received here indicate that
the havoc has been great and the de-
struction to life and property more
terrible than Italy has experienced in
many years.
All reports show that the present
catastrophe embraces larger area
than the earthquake in 1905.
1t is known that number Of per-
sons were killed at that place, but the
rushing waters carried everything be-
fore them and caused such an inde-
scribable confusion that it will be i'm
possible for some time to estimate the
damage and the lives lost
The city of Messina has suffered
probably more than any other place,
the latest Information coming Indirect
ly from that quarter stating that two
thirds Of the town was destroyed and
several thiusand persons killed.
The steamers Washington and Mon
tebelle, which were in that harbor,
later went to Catania loaded with in
jured who were so stupefied by terror
that they seemed unable to realize
what had happened. simply saying that
1t looked as though the end of the
world had come.
Five steamers left Satania for Mes
sina to assist in removing the injured
from that place, who are reported to
number thousands.
At Catania the panic stricken people,
fearing new shocks, absolutely refused
to enter their houses and are camping
on the squares.
The tidal wave sunk 500 boats there
and did great damage to several large
vessels and steamers. including the
Australian steamer Buia.
Not only did Catania suffer from the
effects of tidal wave, but similar
body of water inundated the handsome
streets of Messina, which flank the
harbor, covering them with thick
layer of mud. which rendered more
difficult the succoring of the wounded,
many of whom could be seen lying un-
der the wreckage.
1t is reported that the villages of
Faro and Ganzirri, adjoining, have dis
appeared.
The effects of the earthquake were
aggravated through an explosion of
gas.
The flames swept along several
streets. adding terror upon terror.
Thousands of persons abandoned
their homes, although terrific rain
storm prevailed and filled the air with
lamentations and prayers.
In some places, such as Prizzo, Cot
rome, Santa Severina and Piscopio, the
people entered the churches almost
while the latter were falling and car
ried out the saints. They bore these
in procession through the open coun-
try, invoking the mercy of God.
In the mountain regions inland the
population has taken refuge in grot-
toes and caves, where peasants and
priests. soldiers and persons of gentle
birth, are living in common. They
sleep on the ground and fires burn to
keep off wild animals.
In Abb alone 1000 persons are home
less.
Awakened by the shock. the inhabi-
tants fled panic-stricken from their
homes into the streets and squares
Professions were organized and soon
all the churches were filled with weep
ing crowds imploring divine mercy.