The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-03-31
POPULACE FLEEING
IN TERROR BEFORE
GREAT LAVA FLOW
Grasping Crucifixes, People
Pray for Rescue, Only to Be
Driven From Homes.

Castania, March 29.-The eruption OF
Mount Aetna, which began on Wednes-
day and was still Of threatening char
aeter early today, decreased notieeably
Toward night tho rumbling ceased
and the side craters emitted sand, which
is considered an indication that the dis
iurbanee will not continue much
longer.
The stream Of lava moving in the
volume and velocity, while the flow that
has threatened Nieolosi has almost
ceased. The weather in the vicinity 10
cloudy, and at Nioolosi IL 10 showing.
cantania. Sicily. March 2s.--The
eruptions from the side craters o.
Mount Etna continued today and the
Eastellazzo moved slowly toward B0r-
relic and Belpaso. consuming every
thing I'm its path.
The lavatic stream, winding in and
out over the uneven surface at the
mountain base. has covered probably
25 miles. though it's head is not more
than ten miles from the sources in an
cir line. Throughout the night the
summittee Of Mount Etna appeared to
be ablaze, but today a cloud of black
smoke enveloped the peak. Prolonged
rumblings from the central crater and
frequent explosions from the side fis-
3ures served as effectually as the flood
Itself to hold in terror the populace for
miles around.
Grandeur and Terror.
An early morning visit into the
threatening region afforded a spectacle
magnificent beyond description, which
could be thoroughly enjoyed by the
hundreds of sightseers fiocking there.
but for the other side Of the picture.
The terror and real distress Of the
peasants In the vicinity Is depressing.
panic has seized them and though
they cl' ing to their little home until
The fool was almost upon them. they
have now abandoned all but their
portable property and driving before
them their donkeys and pigs, the for
are wandering about with the single
aim to preserving what little has been
left to them.
On the hilltops. little groups Of men,
women and children could be seen
looking back sadly to the sites Of their
former homes, now covered with lava
to the height of perhaps Is feet.
lmplore the Saints.
Others, whose homes had not been
overtaken clasped their crucifixes,
images Of the Madonna and the saints
ers implored that their little huts be
spared. Meantime the molten mass
crawled irresistibly forward as though
determined that nothing should escape
1t.
At times a storm of cinders obscured
the volcano and then suddenly q shift
Of the wind forced back the cloud and
the sun bursting through. smiled down
upon the most fertile country in the
world.
The summit Of Mount Etna appears
to be still covered with snow.
The people Of the district have been
wrought UP to a high pitch OF ex-
element and are ready for miracles
though at the same time declaring that
the evil eye is upon them. -.
Enqulfs Sanctuary.
At little roadside altar erected to
Saint Joseph, at q point above Nicolosi,
the women. priests and children had
gathered to implore mercy. AS they
knelt they saw in the distance the
destructive flood advancing. AS It
drew nearer the agitating among the
group increased until one exclaimed:
"A miracle has occurred. The lava
will not touch the sanctuary"
The cry was taken UP by the others
and then the chanting OF the melacho-
~ Sicilian hymns was renewed. Near
err came the lava, but when its heat
had nearly suffocated the praying ones,
the stream was diverted. With cries
Of Joy at what appeared to be a mir
aculous manifestation, the supplicants
sprang to their feet. A moment later
the course Of the flood again changed
and. sweeping down upon the worship
pers, permitted them barely time to
flee for their lives while 1t engulfed and
burned the sanctuary.