The Tulsa star. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1913-1921, 1915-01-23
twenty TOWNS ARE LAID IN VAST WASTE
Avezzano Destruction is Complete and the
Number Dead at This Point is Now
Estimated at l5,OOO--King.
Heads Relief Work

The shock was the strongest Rome
has felt in more than a hundred years.
The town of Avezzano, in the Abruzzi
department, sixty-three miles east Of
Rome, has been leveled to the ground;
here 5000 persons are reported to
have been killed. In many small
towns surrounding Rome buildings
were partially wrecked. while at
Naples panic occurred, and houses
fell at Caserta, a short distance to the
east.
From below Naples In the south to
Ferrere in the north, distance OF
more than 300 miles, and across al
most the width Of the country the un-
dulatory movement began at 1855
O'Clock in the morning and lasted from
90 to 30 seconds.
In the capital itself so far as known
there was no loss of life, but great
deal Of damage was done, churches
and statues suffering most. Most Of
the people were stricken with fear and
there was a veritable panic in the hos
pitals, monasteries and converts. The
buildings on both sides of the Porta
del Poppolo, the north entrance to
Rome, threatened to fall and the eagle
decorating the gate crashed to the
ground. The obelisk in st. Peters
square was shaken and badly dam
aged, while the statue of st. John Lat
eran and the statues of the Apostles
surmounting the Basilica are in dan
ger of collapsing. The famous colon
made decorating st. Peters square was
lowered four feet while the adjacent
house, once occupied by the Sisters
of Pope Plus X, was badly wrecked.
Owing to the wide extent of the dis
turbance and the terrible conse-
quence, the actual effects of the earth.
quake are not at present known, ow-
ing to the cutting off or communica-
tions. The fortified city Of Aquila has
In this way been cut off, but it is re-
ported several villages in that region
were destroyed. Likewise, Potenza,
capital of the province of the same
name, on the eastern deciivity of the
Apennines, which has a population Of
| htdlls EObOOOt pVCh ioOidSSN' ~
1857 this town was almost destroyed
by an earthquake.
There was confusion throughout the
whole of Rome during the undulations.
In some cases it amounted to terror
and bordered on panic. The telephone
was resorted to by great numbers Of
people at virtually the same time in
endeavors to ascertain the safety OF
relatives and friends, and then to
learn the extent of the damage to the
city.
Several street car lines suspended
operations because OF the damages
caused by the earthquake.
The last serious earthquake in the
Rome district occurred July 10. 1899.
Rome. Frascau, Marino and other
, towns on the Alban hills felt the shock
and many buildings were damaged,
but there was no loss Of life. Farther
south in Italy and in Sicily. however
earthquakes are frequent and very Sc
} we're. Great loss of life and heavy
damage to property have occurred In
these regions.
, Avezzano, the town from which the
greater number of casualties has been
reported as the result Of the earth
quake, lies in the province Of Aguila
. in the Abruzzi department, sixty-three
, /, miles east OF Rome, and a short dis
tance from the base of Mount Velino
II is an ancient town and had popu
D lation OF some 10000. One OF the well
D preserved buildings there was the tow
cred castle built by Gentle VirginC
8 Orsino in 1870. Most Of the towns In
K which damage has been done are sit
s uated virtually in the heart of Italy
t The country in the province of Rome
J. and the department of the Abruzzi is
s mostly mountainous. but thickly pop
= ulated. Numerous villages and towns
dot the territory.