The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-06-07
BURIED IN BEDS.
Sleeping Inhabitants of Calitri,
Italy, Overwhelmed.
Earthquake Tumbles Their
Houses Down Upon Them.
THE DEAD NUMBER 81.
Whole Province of AvellinO Re.
ceives the Shock.
Many Flee to the Country in
Their Night Clothes.
THE DEAD NUMBER 81.

| Naples. June 7.-An earthquake of
Unusual intensity was experienced
throughout southern Italy, including
the island of Sicily, at 3:O7 O'Clock this
morning
| The extent of the damage wrought
had not been determined this after
noon, but it is believed at least 81
people were killed end that property
losses in certain districts will be
| heavy.
| The shock appeared to have spent
itself chiefly in the province of Avel-
I limo, in central Campania east of
Naples. The village of Calitri suffered
| the most. One report has it that half
the town was destroyed.
Fatalities are reported at San Sossi,
Chanche, Castelbaronia and San SeIe
The disturbance disrupted telegraph
generally in the provinces affected and
further details are awaited with ap-
prehension.
The populations of the various
towns which felt the quake were
thrown into panic and the authori-
ties had much difficulty in restoring
| order
| King Victor Emmanuel and Queen
| Helena, on receiving word of the suf-
| fering, left on special train for the
| scene and soldiers and medical corps
| were dispatched to render first aid.
| 1t was announced early in the fore
noon that the government had called
| on parliament for an appropriation of
100000 for use among the afflicted.
The latest report received up to early
evening told of five deaths at San Sele,
| a village of the province of Potenza,
in the compartment of Basilicata.
Avellino. Department of Campania,
| Italy, June THE province of Avellino
| bore the brunt of a severe earthuuaks
that was felt throughout southern
| Italy shortly before dawn today. Fatal
tiles occurred and much damage was
done to property but up to noon it was
impossible to determine the extent of
the devastation.
In this city little harm was done and
the only death reported was that of an
old man who died of fright. The -popu-
lation, however, was terror stricken
Reports from villages throughout the
province are much more grave. Twen-
ty people are reported killed at Calitri,
which is said to have been badly dam
aged.
The situation there is distressing
Ten persons are said to have met
death at San Zossi, where the sulphur
waters with which the district is rich,
were released from bounds by the dis
turbance and flooded the vicinity. From
the flood noxious gases arose.
At Chianca a house fell, burying and
killing an aged man. One person was
killed and several were injured at Cas-
tellbaronia. Clabretto was badly dam
aged.
Squads of workmen, together with
detachments of soldiers, were Dispatch
ed from this place to assist the suffer
ing villagers.
1t was in the darkest hour of the
morning when the shock was felt here.
The sleeping town was aroused by the
shaking of walls, the rafting Of fur
niture and the falling of plaster. In a
moment panic had seized the 10000 in
habitants, who live in daily fear of a
Flee From Their Homes.
Half naked men, women and children
fled from their homes, screaming with
terror. They had in their minds
visions of Messina and the horror OF
| Reggie. Recently there was gossiped
| about a 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
stopped. In the squares hundreds
| threw themselves on their faces and
implored the mercy of the Almighty.
Then the religious fervor found express
sion in half organized professions to
the shrine of st. Andrews, the protector
l
sanctuary. After several hours of
frantic entreaty, the authorities sue
ceeded in re-establishing a semblance OF
calm and relief squads were organized
AS is usually the case the inhabitants
refused to re-ef1ter their homes, fear
ing that another quake would occur.
Throughout the day the police were
busy bringing together the scattered
members of families and reaSsuring ths
frightened ones.
Word that the king and queen were
en- route here on a special train served
to afford new courage to the people and
had a good effect in restoring order.
: CaIitri Half Destroyed.
Naples, June IA severe earthquake
1shock caused a number of deaths and
! much property damage in central Cam
! pania early today The disturbance
. | appears to have centered in the pro-
vince of Avellino.
|. Telegraph wires were torn down and
! communication with the affected dis
trict was broken Meager reports re-
ceived this forenoon Indicate that the
greatest damage was done at CalitH
] | in the province of Avellino.
Calitri is said to have been half de-
stroyed and 20 people are reported to
have been killed there. Other deaths
[ occurred at Valta nearby and 1t IS
2 feared fatalities will be reported from
t other villages which for a time are cut
: off from communication with this city.
Fl The shock occurred at 3:07 this morn
| ing, while the people were still in their
I beds Many houses at Calitri tumbled,
burying the occupants in the ruins.
Those who escaped death or serious
:. injury fed terror stricken from their
homes and into the country. None
: waited to don street clothes and as a
result many suffered from exposure.
e Troops were dispatched from all
+. quarters into the affected district as
q / fn nd ,er-fxr