The Wilson times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1896-19??, 1911-09-12
DISEASE and
IGNORANCE
AGAINST BOTH, THE AUTHORITIES
MUST ACT..MOBS THINK PLY.
SICIANS INJECT POISON
into CHOLERA VICTIMS

Chiasso, Switzerland, Sept. IL
| Savage excesses have been commit
ed as result of the cholera epidem-
Cole, town of 10000 in the Italian
province of Bari della Puglie, accord
ing to official reports received here.
The desease is said to have reduc-
ed the inhabitants of the town to a
condition of desperation. The autho-
rites, in an effort to stamp out the
infection, ordered that all persons at
tackled by cholera should be taken to
hospital and those who had been
in contact with cholera victimse be
isolated in a neighborhood building.
Convinced that it was the inten-
ton of the authorities to kill the
patients and also those under obser-
vation a crowd stormed the hospital
and threatened to burn it if interfer,
ed with in releasing the cholera strick
en- inmates.
The crowds rushed into the build
ing, brought out the cholera patients
and carrie. them in CHASTITY process
sion through the town.
The thoroughfares were lined with
people who acclaimed the cholera vic
tins and shouted imprecations
against the government. The cholera
suspects under observation we're al
so set free amid similar scenes of
frantic enthusiasm enacted by the
people.
The Italian government has dis
patched troops to the place.
Scenes similar to those witnessed
at Gioia de Cole also are reported
from Massafra, town in the Italian
province of Lecce.
While the municipal council of
Lecce was in session discussing the
best measures for combating the cho-
lera, thousands of demonstrants how
ling death" death" gathered about
the city hall. The mayor and council
lors suspended the meeting and es-
capped from the building. The mob
then moved toward the cholera hos
pital, keeping up a running fight with
the police who were unable to stop
the marching crowd. Several police
men and some of the townspeople
were dangerously injured.
The mob entered the hospital and
after carrying out the patients smash
ed the furniture and set fire to the
building. The patients some Of whom
were in dying condition, were car
ried triumphant1y through the streets
The general belief of the people IS
that the doctors inoculate cholera
stricken persons with poison.
When the rioters entered the hos
pital several of the wards were al
ready afre. A woman patient was
crying desperately which further ex
cited the fury of the mob, who inter
preted the cries as proof of the cruel
ty practiced by the representatives
of s'tyrannical government"
Smoke and flames added to the
terror and distress of the patients.
Some were picked up and transported
on mattresses; others were laid on
cots. The crowd around them, intoxl-
Gated by their triumph, danced and
shouted and made carnival compar
able to the dance of the furies. Mean
while two women patients left IN
the flaming wards we're incinerated,
while other patients who we're car
ried to their homes, died before reach
ing them.
Fortunately the rioters forgot toi
cut the telegraph wires and the al
thorities were informed. Police, sold
iers and carbineers and even sailors
were rushed to the burning hospital
They succeeded in quelling the riot
ers, forty-five of whom were arrested
as the leaders These included nine
women.