“Earthquakes were of frequent, almost daily, occurrence. A severe one came as we sat at our first dinner in camp, and the jar and loud rumbling were rather startling, though we had nothing to fear. There were some casualties in the city, however, and our Sicilian servants were frightened and anxious for the safety of their families.
“In the middle of May we had a severe shock about 9 o’clock, our little frame structures quivering for nearly half a minute. It caused a small panic among our workmen, a stream of them leaving their work and coming to the office for their discharge, saying they were not going to work in Messina any more. An hour or so later, one of the engineers passed by, with the news that Palermo was destroyed. He belonged there and seemed much disturbed.”
“May 10, 1909.
“So far, only white paint has been put on; yet the improvement is so great that we have great difficulty in restraining an impatient populace from rushing the uncompleted houses. When the green trimmings and brick-colored base go on, we may need a regiment. The cottages do look very attractive, especially in many places where they are nested among the trees; and there is nothing anywhere around that can touch their appearance. The white color marks them out from a good distance.
“Our other work at Mosella is progressing well, especially the hotel, which will have the second story begun in a day or two. It is a larger building than any one had thought it was going to be and has aroused a good deal of interest. It is being well constructed throughout.
“After much consideration, the idea has occurred to me that about the best disposition to make of our camp and camp outfit here would be to turn the whole establishment over to the Little Sisters of the Poor. Yesterday I sent Mr. Elliott and Mr. Phillips, head carpenter here, out to examine their former building, to see whether we could do anything to help them; but it is in complete ruin, requiring to be rebuilt from the ground up—an undertaking of course beyond us. They still have the property and garden, and in time their house could be rebuilt. Meantime if they want this camp and its equipment as a temporary dwelling, it would be suitable and available. I know of no other charitable disposition equally good; and as the Little Sisters are indeed poor, it would not trouble them much to move what little they own in, as we move out. Of course all we take will be our personal belongings, and everything else—bedding, table gear, lamps, and such furniture as we have, would be theirs.
“One of the houses near the camp has a family recently moved in, in direct competition with the one in the Queen’s house in Reggio, for the first baby born in an American house. I shall telegraph the arrival, whether it occur here or at Reggio.
The same day also the Pro-Sindaco came, Commendatore Martino, who expressed much
ELIZABETH GRISCOM HOSPITAL, VILLAGGIO REGINA ELENA. [Page 469.]