Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1910-06-11

ASWHs NsNHost Gesl1oJcu IN SouA1STU
Part-king and Queen Rush to Aid
OF the AfEicted-Shock occurred
Early in the Morning-Dead May
Number Hundreds.
Rome, June S.-Great apprehension
has been caused again by seismic dis
turbances, the official report showing
that the o affected by the earth
quake shock yesterday is a vast one,
embracing practically the whole of
Southern Italy, as well as a portion
OF Tuscany and Venetia, to the north.
But the district where serious damage
occurred only extends about 50 miles
around Mount vulture, which Is an
extinct volcano near the town Of
Calitri, in the Province of Avellino.
This region has suffered much in
the past from earthquakes, and in
1851, 500 persons were killed. The
number of casualties resulting from
the earthquake yesterday has not yet
been definitely a~scertained, some Of
the reports estimating the dead at
80 ard the injured at several hundred.
1t is feared that there are man.
buried in the ruins of the houses
which were thrown down in Calitri,
while great damage was done at
other places which doubtless caused
a considerable loss of life.
Queen Insists on Going.
Premier Luzzatti received wcrd of
the disaster at 5 o'clock in the morn
ing, less than two hours after the oc-
currence of the quake, and he at ono
communicated the news to the King.
He decided to leave Immediately.
He intended to go alone, but Queen
Helena insisted upon joining him. IN
reply to the Kings protests, Queen
Helena retorted:
CAS- my presence is necessary at all
festivities, 1t must not lack where the
people die and weep. In the south
Italians suffer; therefore I must go.
1t is my place as a woman and a
mother"
The King and Queen were cheered
by the crowds at the station, but they
hurried to the train and carefully in
spected the medical and other sup
plies.
Cyclone in Sardinia.
Sardinia, June S.-Misfortune seems
Ito have chosen Italy as a target.
While Southern Italy has been affiict-
ed by an earthquake, the vast region
Of Sardinia, the largest island in the
Mediterranean after Sicily, was raw
aged yesterday by a violent cyclone.
The districts of Lanusei, Tortoli.
Ilbono, Elini and Jerzu have been de-
vastated, and the crops, vineyards and
cattle destroyed. 1t Is believed that
many sheep herders have followed the
fate of their focks. The damage in
Sardinia is estimated at S $4,000, 900.
Towns Almost Destroyed.
Naples, June S.-An earthquake o.
unusual intensity was experienced
throughout Southern Italy, including
the island of Sicily.
The shock appears to have spent
its force chiefly in the province of
Avellino, in central Campania, east o.
Naples. The village of Calitri suffered
the most. One report has it that half
of the town was destroyed. Fatalities
are reported at San Sossio, Chianchs,
Castelbaronia and San Sele.
The latest report received here up
to early evening told of five deaths at
San Sele, a village of the province of
Potenza, where every house in the
village was damaged.
Twenty persons are reported killed
at Calitri, which is said to have been
badly damaged. =
Ten persons are said to have met
death at San Sossio, where the sui
phur waters, with which the district
is rich, were released from bounds by
the disturbance and flooded the vicin-
ity. From the food noxious gases
arose.
At Chianche a house fell, burying
and killing al aged man.
One person was killed and several
were injured at Castelbaronia.
1t was In the darkest hour OF the
morning whenithe shock was felt here.
The sleeping town was aroused by
shaking walls, the rafting of furniture
and the falling OF plaster from the
ceilings.
In a moment panic had seized the
10000 inhabitants. who live in daily
fear of a seismic disaster. Half-clad
men. women and children fed from
their homes screaming with terror.
They had in their minds visions OF
Messina and the horror OF Reggie. Re-
Gently. also, there was gossiped about
a prediction that the approach OF Hal
ley's comet ~portended the end of the
world.
The authorities kept their heads, but
they could not stay the mad rush for
the squares and open districts outside
the city. Confusion prevailed; the
frightened ones could not be reasoned
with, could not be stopped; in the