New-York tribune., 1909-01-01
T. c. BENEDICT SAFE
Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Comtldnd
Penfeld scith Him al Cairo, Egypt.

f, C. Benedict sent a cable message from
Cairo Egypt yesterday saying that he and Mr..
and Mrs. Frederick Courtland Penheld were
we'll 1t feared that they had been either
Killed injured in the earthquake in Southern
italy and Sicily. Much alarm for the safety OF
Mr. and Mrs. Pen1eld expressed by their
friends. especially by those of Mrs Penfeld in
Philadelphia. She Mrs Anne Wetghtman
Walker daughter Of William Weightman, be
fore her marriage to Mr.. Penfeld. She ls one
Of the richest women in this country Every
effort possible was made by her friends 10 reach
her and the cable message. received by Frank
S. Hastings Of r. G. Benedict & CO. at No. so
Wall street was the first assurance received OF
the safety Of the party
Mr. Hastings was anxious -Agarding hts
brother Thomas Hastings. the architect. who.
with his wife. a daughter Of Mr Benedict left
this city on the Busitania December Is. IN
tending 70 go through to Messina Mr.. Hastings
received a cable message yesterday from Rome
from Mrs, Harmon, another daughter Of Mr.
benedict saying that all were well He auEurs
from this that his brother and Mrs Hastings
were with Mrs. Harmon. feeling sure that they
would spend few days IN Paris and undouht-
edly go to Rome TO see Mrs. Hastingss sister
before going TO Messina
Mr. Hastings. who knows the stricken coasts
as well as he knows New York Harbor. said
that Commodore Benedict and his party, who
were on a p & O. steamer. must have been in
the strait only short time before the catas-
trophe
Mr. and Mrs Penfeid and 0mmodore Bene-
dict took the z. & .. steamer At Marseilles on
December "a Mr. Hastings said The Strait
Of Messna is just about half way between Port
Said and Marsees. They were due In the
strait Sunday afternoon or evening, thus getting
yFrrrr- han hn-
gan They probably experienced tho same ter
rife vibration reported by the Hamburg Ameri-
can steamer Washington. They probably heard
Of the disaster at Port Said and cabled at the
first opportunity allay fears for their safety
Mr. Hastings who ss ys that he IS amateur
NAVIGATOR often naviGated the strait from the
bridge Of a P. & O. steamer, using his own
instruments, which he carries with him when
ever he travels He said yesterday that the
shores Of the strait were among the most beau
tiful to be seen. They were lined with hand
some villas and night there was a sclntiI-
iation of lights from Catania 10 the northern
most part OF the narrow waterway. Mr.. Has
tings said that foreigners thronRed the cities
and towns of the coasts in January and Feoru-
arv and Americans and English We're especially
fond Of TaoKrnina, which is midway between
Messina and Catania Taormina was only
eugbt1v shaken. according to the reports. which
puzzled MI Hastings because Of its situation
az do not believe there we're many Americans
:, the disturbed districts" Mr.. Hastings said
"-rhev were nearly all IN Naples Florence or
Rome whence they would go to the southern
towns later II the government or Italy keeps
az careful a record Of its citizens and foreigners
as do other European countries. accurate hs-
voc regarding the loss Of life and the identity
Of the dead will be forthcoming in time