Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-06-07
Scores Are Dead and
Many Towns Des-
troyed by TremOrs.
PROVINCES NEAR NAPLES
SCENE OF GREAT DISASTER
Full Extent of Devastation Will
Not Be Known for Some
Days.

NAPLES, June IAN earthquake Of
unusual intensity was experienced
throughout southern Italy, including
the Island of Sicily. at 1907 o'clock this
morning The extent of the damage
wrought had not been determined thi:
afternoon, but it is believed some thir.
ty-seven people were killed and that
property losses in certain districts viii
be heavy.
The shock appears to have spent its
force chiefly in the province of Avellino
in Central Campania, east of Naples
The village of Calitri suffered the most
One report has it that half of the town
was destroyed.
The disturbance disrupted telegraph
communication generally in the
provinces most affected and further
details are awaited with apprehension
The populations of the various towns
which felt the quake were thrown into
a panic and the authorities had much
difficulty in restoring order.
Five persons were killed in the vii
lage of San Sele, province of Potenza
in the compartment of Basilicata
Every house in the village was dam
aged and slight shocks continued In
that district this AFTERNOON.
Ten persons are said to have met
death at San Sossio, where the
sulphur waters with which the dis
trict is rich were released from
bounds by the disturbance and flood
ed the vicinity. From the flood
noxious gases arose.
At Chianche a house fell, burying
and killing an aged man.
One person was killed and several
were injured at Castelbaronia, and
Calabritto was badly damaged.
Squads of workmen, together with
detachments off, sold1ersaS were
dispatched from this place to assist
the suffering villagers.
Sleeping Town Aroused.
1t was in the darkest hour of the
morning when the shock was felt
at Avellino. The sleeping towr
was aroused by the shaking OF
walls, the rafting Of furniture
and the falling of plaster from the
ceilings. In moment panic had seized
the 20, 900 inhabitants, who live in daily
fear of a seismic disaster. Half-naked
men, women and children fled from
their homes, screaming with terror
They had in their minds visions OF
Messna and the horrors of Reggie
Recently there was gossiped about
prediction that the approach of Halley'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. The widest confusion pre-
vailed and the frightened ones could
not be reasoned with; could not be
STONED In the squares hundreds threw
themselves upon their faces and i'm
plored the mercy of the Almighty.
Then the religious fervor found express
sion in lf-organized professions to the
shrine of st. Andrews. the protector OF
the town. Others climbed to the sane
tuary on Monte Vergine.
After several hours of frantic en-
treaty the authorities succeeded in re-
establishing a semblance Of calm and
relief squads were organized.
II was then found that no one had
been killed, though one aged man had
died during the excitement. Many
houses were damaged, as were the bel
fries of the churches.
Inhabitants in Fear.
A is usually the case. the inhabi-
tants refused to reenter their homes,
fearing that another quake would oc-
cur.
throughout the day the police were
busy bringing together the scattered
members of families and reassuring the
frightened ones. Word that the King
and queen were en- route here on
special train served to afford new
courage to the people and had good
effect in restoring order.
AS soon as news of the disaster was
received here Premier Luzzatti or
dered q concentration of the troops in
the zone where the shocks were felt.
The premier took personal direction OF
the work of rescue. He also sent the
general inspector of health and corps
of medical men with ambulances to the
scene.
The prefect of Avellino has sent an
urgent message to the government ask
ing for $1,000 for immediate use, and
Premier Luzzatti at once forwarded
$4,000 to the prefect.
The minister of public works has
left for the scene of the earthshocks.
He is accompanied by the officials of
his department.