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Newspaper
Washington Post
Location
Washington, Washington Dc, United States of America
Date
Dec 30, 1908
Page
21
Refugees from Messina flood into Ottania as a rain of destruction cuts through the city. Surviving crowds press on amid terror and confusion. many injured, a soldier recalls terrifying scenes as tremors topple buildings and debris crashes down, leaving people wandering amid wreckage and smoke.
Unable to determine clear names places or events due to damaged OCR. Readable fragments suggest a local notice or brief item but key entities and dates are missing.
Eyewitness accounts describe a night of terror as a massive tidal surge, collapsing buildings and widespread fires raze Messina. Survivors recount sirenlike cries, gas explosions, looting being halted by soldiers fire, and a woman’s harrowing escape from the ruined city amid rain and darkness.
Superintendent Stuart to publish a report on secret societies in high schools. The investigation seeks to determine why cliques form and whether any societies should be continued or disbanded at Reverdish School.
A long list of birth announcements records numerous couples and their newborns across multiple small communities. It names mothers and fathers with mixed spellings and appears as a compiled roster of recent births, including girls and boys with varying given and surnames.
A scanned list shows numerous marriage license entries with names and ages, spanning towns such as Sackell Harbor Brunswick and Duffield, including couples like Margaretta and Cost, Manche Jones Liguom Ya, and Florence Glan Irme with Rev. C FP Windlgtor. Many entries pair individuals from Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland, and North Carolina, with ages ranging from teens to 80s.
Special to The Washington Post from Richmond Virginia reports a severe panic at a Christmas tree gathering in Decatur Street Baptist Church. A defective fire caused flames to envelop the old structure, injuring Mrs. Joh Driver and several children while many presents were lost. The building sustained substantial damage and exits proved difficult for the crowd leaving the scene.
San Francisco reports the Claus Spreckels will, executed in New York May 11 198, tied for probate with the San Francisco clerk. The widow Anna Christina Spreckels gains a life interest, with after her death the estate divided among Claus A Spreckels Rudolf Spreckels and Mrs John Ferris of Kingawood England formerly Miss Emma Spreckels. The two other sons John D and Adolph were generously provided for. Estate valued at an estimated 50 million dollars.
Winthrop to be First Assistant Secretary of State under Philander Chay Anox after Knox blocks move. The selection, with President Elect Taft’s consent, places Winthrop ahead of Robert Bacon as Roosevelt era term ends. Born in Orange New Jersey, 31, Harvard Law graduate, former private secretary to Taft, Porto Rico Governor, and 1900s Philippine Islands official.
Weather conditions from US Dept of Agriculture and Washington area reports describe a trough low pressure over Texas to Colorado with rain in the central valleys and southern states. Northwest rainfall moves east Wednesday as a cold front and winds shift north to south along coasts. Temperatures dampen, humidities rise, and storm activity spreads across the Northwest to the eastern Rockies with flurries likely in the Northwest and eastern slopes.
A Washington committee debated March 3 or 4 for the inaugural fireworks and discussed sites behind the White House Ellipse versus old station grounds and Pennsylvania station options. The plan, with 80 030 in funds, aims for a one hour display to honor veterans and escort the President elect, with additions to the committee of veteran groups and civic organizations.
Mr Ailes, chairman of the Sughee committee, will publish the contributor list tomorrow morning including all subscriptions received up to ignipf it. The guarantee fund is just short of 380,000. the partial payment plan boosted contributions and the public comfort committee prepares for a large turnout with 2500 troops and civic groups from across the country.
Special to The Washington Fast Asheville North Carolina December 29 George Cathey a wealthy young man was arrested for speeding his 12 horsepower automobile through the streets of Vanderbuilt Biltmore estate at 8 speed about 30 miles an hour. He told the scandalized mayor that he could not go slower than six miles an hour because his machine could not go that slow. The mayor did not accept this. Cathey said I cannot get some speed out of the machine. The special engine and coach took on the speed artist at Biltmore and he was off for Salisbury to catch a main line flyer to Washington.
Messina, largest Italic city after Palermo in its region, stood on the Strait of Messina with a long mercantile tradition including wine, fruit, and fisheries. It endured devastating plagues and earthquakes, notably in 1786 and 1908, which damaged landmarks like its cathedral. The city hosts an archbishopric, a university opened in 1537, a technical institute, and a municipal hospital, with a rich maritime and craft heritage.
Spencer Eddy, U.S. minister to Argentina, will depart Buenos Ayres for Hamburg to take up new duties as U.S. minister to Roumania and Bulgaria. Huntington Wilson, former head of the Far Eastern affairs division, is slated to succeed Eddy in Buenos Ayres, with Alban Snyder transferred to Panama. Rumors of Bucharest changes circulated with no official confirmation until Senate approval of Wilson’s nomination.
Bishop D J O Connell, rector of the Catholic University of America, says he has not received official notice of his appointment as bishop of San Francisco though he has been informed of the possibility. He expresses willingness to serve and respect for Archbishop Reardon, noting his future successor remains unknown. In Rockville, Md, Janette Peyton and John Farrel were refused a marriage license since Farrel was under 21 and did not have parental consent.
A Washington dispatch says Tang Shao Yi, Chinese envoy, aimed for a formal alliance and US backing. President Roosevelt's policy favors Chinese development and equal opportunities, but the United States will not enter any war or commit to alliance, offering only friendly aid within its limits.
A successful church benefit last night at the Church of the Natholy Brightwood directed by Janes YT Kelly drew about 300 attendees. Proceeds go to liquidate debt from recent rectory construction. Performers included Waldo Pearce John Merckling and Lewis Witkowski with talking dolls, eliciting strong applause.
A fragmented roster lists hotels such as New Willard and Metropolitan with guest names linked to multiple cities including Raleigh Baltimore Chicago Philadelphia and New York. The OCR shows numerous personal names and spouse designations across states and foreign entries, indicating a hotel guest index or directory passage from a broad regional listing.
Chamber of Commerce members show strong interest in the January 12 officer election with four nominations for board seats. Names include George E Walker Savereet N Waters WW Howie and others, while Arthur Moses and William Gude are noted as presidential candidates in circulating letters.
A copy reads receipts and acknowledgments of donations to the Associated Charities. Contributors include John J. Jardson, William Dodge, Mos Murray, Miss Ton Coo, Joby N Bree, T Dap & Sons Company, Mantel Hazard, Geo Re M, Mrs J aie Le Clore, Mins H Maoe, C A Wesnes, Mase Margarit, Le a cert oh St George Stone, Alberin stone, and others. Cash gifts total varied, plus items for food and clothing for distressed families.
Robert Schraeder, age years, connected with Salvation Army in Baltimore, was struck by a tram Sunday near Laurel on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. He lay in a ditch overnight and was found Monday night. He died later? He was taken to hospital with arm fractures and injuries to head and body. Schraeder said he slept in a New Revising Schedules on Potters and fied Monday night and would have starved if not for a passing farmer who gave him food. Accident occurred near Laurel on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
The report notes a tariff bill draft stalled by a subcommittee as changes in Schedule B affect Lanff on potters and local farmers. In NC on December 29 James Goodwyn Jol Lassiter, Drue White, and Well Cook and Warren were arraigned for preliminary trial after a body was found in Albemarle Sound. A witness saw a man struck with an iron bar near Christine Day.
An article recounts Sicilian quake lore with lessons on safety. It cites villagers in Messina and Catania seeking arches or windows during tremors and describes ritual responses, including crossing, kneeling, and prayer. It also notes American observers and the Vesuvian eruption memory fueling fear and caution.
The West Virginia Bar Association opened its 34th annual session led by Vice President Walter Pendleton due to President St George Brooke’s illness. A secretary’s report urged enlarging the State supreme court and raising judges' salaries while Judge Baldwin of Yale delivered an address. Pearl male murder charges note a separate disorderly conduct and assault case in police court. Malloy reportedly tried to break up a dance by Negro residents. he received a five months five days sentence.
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