The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-05-09

Catania, May Am earthquake and
volcanic eruption, followed by fire. de-
stroyed many villages on the slope OF
Mount Etna last night and caused the
death of over a hundred. The num-
ber injured will reach several hundred.
Refugees declare that the property
loss will be as great as in the Messina
disaster in 1908.
Railroad tracks were torn up.
churches razed to the ground. houses
overturned within a radius of several
miles Of Catania.
The terror stricken people rushe
from the villages to Catania before
daybreak, bringing stories Of the dis
aster.
The villages of Linera and Consen-
ii were transformed into heap OF
ruins. At Zafferena every house was
destroyed. There was enormous dam
age at Santa Venerina, Ammalati.
Garico, Guardia, Mangano, Santa Tee
la and Bongiardo. The village Of San
ta Maria Vergine Catanla was razed
to the ground.
Fifty persons are known to have
been killed in the village of Linera,
which was destroyed. Among the
ruins of Passo-pono and Malati. twen-
" bodies were found this morning.
In the neighborhood of Santa Vene-
rina the number of injured was very
great. The authorities confiscated all
automobiles to assist in the work of
rescue.
Along the principal highways in the
stricken district the scene of desolation
was heart-rendlng this morning.
Groups of refugees were frequently en-
countered. Many of these were bur
dened with improvised litters made OF
branches of trees and bushes, on
which they were carrying injured and
dying relatives to temporary surgical
stations established by surgeons and
nurses.
Soldiers are aiding in the endeavor
to rescue those still alive beneath the
ruins and to extricate the dead from
the debris. Nurses are gathering the
homeless and children who have lost
their parents.
Soldiers, sailors. firemen and priests
worked together bringing succor. At
Cosenti, twenty bodies were recovered
and at Santa Maria, six.
For several days earthquake shocks
have been felt at frequent intervals,
accompanied by eruptions from Mount
Etna- No particular attention how
ever, was paid To the occurrences as
the inhabitants are accustomed 10
these agitations. and the shocks were
not exceptionally violent.
The first severe shock was at
o'clock last evening. The center of the
disturbance was the village of Linera.
The property damage was very great
in other villages also. Churches and
public buildings were destroyed and
hundreds of houses fell TO the ground.
Army and Navy Aiding People.
Rome, May 9.--lncomplete reports
from Catania this morning indicate
dred. The total injured is several
times that number The military ana
naval forces in the district have been
ordered to give all possible assistance.
a concentration of soldiers is ordered.
and the commanders are directed TO
take with them tents, provisions and
clothing.
The destruction of telegraph ami
railroads has rendered II most difficult
for the authorities here to obtain ac-
curate details of the catastrophe.
The vicinity of Catania probably
has suffered more than any other
section of the world from volcanic
eruptions and earthquakes. Catania
itself is built on bed of lava at the
foot of the volcano of Etna and it's
streets are paved with lava. II has a
population of 10000 and is the larg-
est city i'm Sicily. II lies south of
Messina on the east coast. Ever since
it's foundation. in b. c. 129. IL has been
visited frequently by earthquakes. In
l21. A. D.. it was partly destroyed by
the eruption OF Etna. a great stream
o. II.