The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-15
MANY SCENES OF HORROR
suddenncss Of Catastrophe Gave No
Chance of Escape.

opcflut hOtc DcHputtN 20 INK Sun
ROME, Jan. 14.---Some OF the fragmen-
tary stories which have reached here from
tho earthquake region contain pitiful de-
tails OF the tragedies that haunt every
spot where once there was home
Fathers at work in the fields ran to their
dwellings to ind their wives and children
dead. Mothers gave their lives to save
their babes. Men dug madly in the
shadows OF lettering walls and died in the
vain effort TO save their own.
The Sub-Prefect at Sora, twenty-five
miles south of Avezzano, sends word that
half the towns In that district have been
RACED lie implores aid. At Subiaco,
| thirty-three miles northeast Of Rome, IL
| Is reported that the cathedral walls are
| in danger of falling.
At Scurcola woman dug into the
wreckage with her bare hands and tore
away the debris. She found the body of
| her three year-old child and went insane
at the sight
| At Popol a young husband ran from
the factory where he worked 10 his home
to find 1t a ruin. In the fallen masonry
he came upon the body of his wife with
| their three months-old baby in her arms.
At Sora an aged man. the only one of
| his family who escaped the direct in
| huence OF the shock, was digging into the
ruins OF his home when the walls fell and
buried him with the others OF his house
hold,
In many towns those who escaped built
huge bonhres to work by and continue
searching the ruins, sometimes finding one
who has escaped death, but more otter
coming upon the shattered bodies Of
victims.
A young man who left Avezzano shortly
before the earthquake destroyed the towI
reached Rome this morning with his story
Of the disaster lie was driving along
mountain road when suddenly his horse
stood trembling In their tracks and re
fused to go further. An instant later from
the valley below came the low, terrible
rumbling OF falling houses. At every hant
he saw evidence OF the effect OF the shock
Rocks came bouncing about him. the road
way was made into n hill and the wall
of mountain huts tumbled down.
From far away in the valley of Ave:
zano there came to the ears of the terri
! fed listener In the heights the shrieks o
people In agony OF mind and body. Col
umns OF white smoke rose as stone, plas
ter and wood were ground into dust.
The young man tried to drive back int
the town, but soon the dust became Z
thick that he and his horses were choking
, As far ~ he could go he saw people strug
Cling to escape, some Injured and drag
cling themselves along, some carrying
, few few pltiful household possessions an
| all In "A frenzy of terror and despair
Many were no weak that they fell by IN
roadside. but before the narrator left, taxi
ing few hopeless persons In his car
the stronger hearted In the place wer
: endeavoring to organize relief measures
This story is one that could DO told {
scores and scores OF towns II Is tru
: in the north. tho east and the south. tt
, loss OF life and the property damage Al
, I, OF an extent that Italy will not recov,
from IN years and will never forget, bl
the determination is uppermost to bea
G up under the burden and to restore ordt
{ outside,