Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1909-01-08
EARTHQUAKE IN ITALY
LEAVES DEATH AND
DESOLATION IS WAKE
MesSina Alone Reports That
Not Less Than $4,000
Are Dead There.

Rome, Dec. 31,-The Tri-
buna today estimates the total
casualties in Calabria and Sic
lily at between SO, 900 and
10, 900.
Rome, Dec. 31.-The dis
aster in the province of Ca
labria and the island of Sicily
has today assumed staggering
proportions. Each successive
report received from the
stricken region makes it more
apparent that the first stories
of widespread destruction
were little, if any, exagger-
ated.
Messina alone reports 12,-
600 victims, but it is feared
this is only a partial list of
the dead and wounded.
Reports are coming in from
other towns, giving estimates
of the dead there from 500
up to several thousand.
Reggie still remains in it's
tragic isolation. 1t is impos-
sible to get word from the
stricken city. This silence gives
rise to the most fearful APP
prehensions. A dispatch from
Catanzaro says only a few
thousand out of the entire pop
ulation of Reggie, placed at
55, 900, have escaped death or
injury.
VANDALS AT WORK.
Vandalism of the worst kind
has broken out. The government
has adopted energetic and severe
measures for it's repression. Rob
bcrs and hooters are shot on sight.
The prison at Messina collapsed.
Some prisoners were killed, but
the survivors made their escape
and joined the Hooligans who
were sacking the city. The bar
racks at Messina were demolished.
The commander of troops was
killed outright. There are many
victims among the enlisted men.
Martial law was declared in the
earthquake.
King Victor Emmanuel will pro-
cecd to Calabria and Sicily and do
all IN his power TO further the
work of rescue.
The robbers at Messina pillaged the
ruins of the shattered buildings, and
even stole h clothing and valuables
from the CorpSes of victims. They
we're not deferred by the flames that
broke out in several sections of, the
city, but took advantage IF the light
for their vandalism.
Night OF Terror.
The night was one OF horror indie
~sSrtbaGle, the fire, robbery, dead, dying
on every side, the city III utmost con-
fusion, the people panic-stricken and
Under a spell Of terror,
Troops began to pour into Messina
last night, and this morning a number
~ steamers arrived from the peninsula
with soldiers on board. The patriots
at once organized and efforts were
made to bring some order into the sit
Uation. Bands of citizens We're formed
and helped h~eroically in the work OF
rescue.
Many courageous acts were per-
formed by soldiers and citizens alike,
Towards morning several of the worst
fires had been e~xtinguished, footing
WAS under partial control, and compar-
atiVe order had been established.
Heaps of Ruins.
Everything possible is being lone to
sLCCor the wounded. but the relief
measures are utterly inadequate, owing
to the immensely of the disaster. The
finest places, churches n theaters
of Messina are heaps OF ruins. Count
less dead bodies are scattered through
the wreckage. Their decomposition
Will doubtless bring pestilence to add
to the horrors Of the situation
The devastation oVer the entire dis
trict was more or less complete. Nc
part of the province of Reggie de Cam
Dflt escaped lIiC NiSllI diN was
most severe along the shores of the
straits of Messina, where the cities Oh
Messina and Reggie are situated. In
more than one town the sparks caused
gas meters to explode and disastrous
fires resulted. The flames helped great
~ to swell the death list.
The configuration of the straits OF
Messina has been materially altered
gThe tidal wave was 80 feet high.
Wireless Is Effective.
The wireless telegraph lras been 81
the greatest assistance in getting IN
reports from devastated regions n ir
helping authorities to send help TO the
places where it is most urgently
needed.
Ships from Italian, British and u
sian squadrons have left for Messina
taking doctors and supplies. medicines
etc. It is reported from Catania thai
the Bishop of Messina is buried undel
the ruins of his residence.
Sjgnor Fluci, a uember or tht
chamber Of deputies from Messina, to-
gethor with the members OF his family
is reported dead.
rho government is sending troops
with the utmost dispatch by land AM