The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1910-03-25
TOWN OF eoRRELLo IN SERIOUS
DANGER AND INHABITANTS
ARE LEAVING.
VINEYARDS DESTROYED
River Of Molten Rock and Earth Is
Winding It's Way Toward Bclpasso
and Nicolosi, Destroying Everything
in It's Path-Stream is Twenty Feet
High and More Than Thousand Wide.

Catania. Sicily. March 2i.-Mount
Aetna Is again In u state Of violent
activity. a pronounced movement
within the crater began last night.
steadily Increased In volume and to-
night the gravest fears are entertained
Of the results II the activity continues
in It's present form. From catania a
correspondent motored toward the
mountain. Beyond the village of
Mascalucia. IL miles in a direct line
from the crater a thick curtain of
smoke was encountered which entirely
concealed Aetna.
At Nicolosi, 10 miles from the
crater, the cntiro population had
gathered In the square to watch the
volcano, which appeared as black
phantom above. Now and then It was
illuminated with flashes of light
Higher up. the rain of cinders became
thicker and extended like veil across
the mountain. A deep roaring was
heard and detonations resembling
artillery followed one another In quick
succession. While the earth shook.
One of the guides cried: AN earth
quake" and could hardly be induced to
continue The hot cnders covered the
ground like a thick carpet. rendering
walking difficult. A peasant was
encountered coming down He said:
"Thc fire is rushing down. burning
everything. The lava is like red
hot river"
Flashes Of Fire.
Proceeding little further four
colossal columns of black smoke could
be observed. Occasionally they were
cut by flashes of fire. presenting an
inspiring spectacle. The wind
opened the clouds for a moment and
wide strip OF fire could be seen in the
distance. advancing with monstrous
contortions. II fell like a torrent from
Mount Capriolo, spreading out In the
valley below. The lava flow had
already reached the vineyards above
San Leo and Rinazzo. seven miles from
the crater and had buried many
peasant houses 1t came In several
streams and united In one great mass
about 20 feet high and $500 feet wide.
It's velocity was estimated at three to
four feet minute. varying according
to the condition of the ground. This
mighty wall of lava today was not
more than five miles from Bepasso
and Nlcolosi.
The meteorological station on the
mOuntalnsde has been destroyed and
the village of Borrello Is In serious
danger. The populace. terror stricken,
are fleeing from their homes. There
have been so earth shocks and there
is n continuous vibration and trembling
for many miles. Everywhere the viii
layers are carrying Images In process
sion and are imploring mercy. Twelve
new cratcrs have been opened up.
Aid Rushed.
Help for the people of the devastated
region Is being organized here,
detachment of soldiers and a large
number of engineers and doctors have
gone forward. The prefect of Catana
returning from the scene this evening
said:
II have witnessed spectacle ol
desolation and ruin (which only those
who saw the eruption of Vesuvus II
1906 can imagine. The present erup.
tion can be compared to no other"
The authorities have issued orders
that no one shall be permitted to e
beyond Belpasso and soldiers have
that these orders are obeyed. Th'
village of Borrello Is surrounded b,
the lava and the inhabitants have FLED
to Belpasso. Professor Ricco, directo
OF Mount Aetna observatory. said to
night:
"The eruption Is very grave and
think II viii become much NOR
serious. The lava has covered fiv
miles In l6 hours and II my calcula
tions are right, the eruption of tn
volcano will not be short"
Ground Trembes.
DR.. Walter Craven. an Englishmar
after his return today from Nicoloss
where he made photographs of til
lava. said:
Horrible detonations made tn
ground trembe under my feet and
was impossible to keep the Gamer
steady more than for a moment"
Many tourists, among whom Ameri
cans are conspicuous, are pourn
into catania to view the spectacle
Latest reports from Nicoloss sal
that the lava Is moving at the rat
j Of about 100 feet an hour and that
has passed over Mount San Lee
Cardinal Francisco Nava, archbisho
OF catania visited Nicoossi tn
afternoon. There earth shocks cor
tinue