The Monte Vista journal., 1909-07-03
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Joseph Micale. an Italian printer
iow employed on Troy IN. "
italian newspaper, arrived In that city
recently with his wife. Vincenza NJ.
Nicale. tells tale OF their narrowing
experiences during the disastrous
earthquake which despoiled southern
italy and portion OF the island OF
sicily on December % last. says the
Troy Times. According to this story.
'ecited recently through an inter
prefer l.. c. Carrolly, the young print
fr and his wife, both OF whom are
about 20 years OF age. were buried for
aearly four days deep In the ruins OF
heir home and his printing ONCE. both
located in the same building on the
boulevard Cavour. In the Sicilian city
of Messina. Their escape from death.
FIRST, In the great upheaval and then
from starvation. was most miracu-
ious. In part their experiences were
described as follows:
In the carry morning OF the 2Sth
I December I was sleeping peace.
fully. when suddenly was awakened
by the violent movement OF the build
ing, and the bed and furniture were
thrown from side to side OF the room.
All at once the roof came In upon us
and We went down In the wreckage.
Then everything grew dark and
knew no more. | learned afterward
that large factory adjoining the
building In which was located my
printing Office and our living rooms.
on the floor above 1t, toppled over
upon us. Words cannot describe the
terror that came over me when | re-
gained consciousness some time later
Nnd found that my wife and l. both
still In our bed, were pinioned down
under . mass OF wreckage. All was
dark and We could move but little. but
there seemed to be air space. for a
large timber about foot square
held the ruins above us and had prob
ably shielded us from being instantly
killed. How long we had been con.
scious We did not know. but as soon
NJ we began to realize our situa-
ton We shouted for help. We shout
ed louder and louder. but there was
no response. We kept this up until
at times. thoroughly exhausted. We
fell to sleep. We continued to shout
At intervals for long periOd-it
seemed like many days-until finally
We lost our voices from weakness and
could shout no more. Occasionally
We could hear some persons in the vi.
cinity. but we could not attract their
attention. try as We would. My wife
and ! were near together. and could
sible. Finally. In our despair. We
decided there was no hope Of escape
md We might rs well take our death
peacefully. Shortly after We had
made this resolve l heard q group OF
persons above us. evidently examining
the ruin. and with q supreme effort
WAS able to make a sound which they
heard and answered. Tint was the
most joyous moment In my life. and
with Il my reason went and l became
unconscious. My wife had already
iapscd into unconsciousncss. The
next thing ! remember I Vas In the
open mir and four Russian sailors
were bending over me and giving me
some cordial. learned afterward
that they had worked nearly nvs hours
to penetrate to our position. II WAS
about niEhtfail when they lifted me
out. but II was next morning before
they could free my wife. who IL q
large woman. though they were able
TO give her restorativcs. We were
cared for BY doctors and others who
acted ~ nurses until NO were strong
enough to travel. and then were car,
ried to . railroad train and taken "a
catania. where after hospital treat
mcnt We were provided for Ia . tent
and given food and clothing through
the generosity Of the American PEG
pie. We remained there ~ the hand
OF charity. uobiy given. for about four
months. Finally We secured free pas
sage to America. the land Of hospital
lty. don't know whether the tick
cts were provided BY the government
Or the Red Cross society. On the
evening os April II We arrived IL New
Ysrk. We stayed for some time with
Srisuds while ! looked for work un
successfully. because I have no knowi
edge II the English language. 1 wrote
20 my friend. John RapisArdi. publish
or Of the Italian newspaper Ia Troy
ssd hs offered 70 give ne work tempo
rariiy. so1 hses an. I can scarcely
express ny gratitude 70 . psopas wh,