Tragic past, future tribute

Our family histories play a crucial role in shaping who we are today. They serve as a powerful reminder of our roots, the hardships our ancestors overcame and the resilience that defines a community. By embracing these rich legacies, we not only pay tribute to their struggles but also commit to keeping their stories alive for future generations.

At precisely 1 p.m. on Nov. 30, 1896, a devastating tragedy unfolded at the Gilorma grain mill, just a few kilometers from the town of Alessandria del Carretto along the Saraceno River in the province of Cosenza. A sudden landslide had blocked the water supply pipeline to the town, leading to a desperate and perilous effort to clear the debris. During the cleanup efforts, a second landslide swept several brave workers away and buried them alive.

While some mill workers, including Antonio Pagano, Vincenzo Mitidieri, Salvatore Adduci and Paolo Basile, emerged physically unharmed, the toll on others was severe. Domenico Rago suffered a head injury. Worse, the youthful 20-year-old Vincenzo Arvia and 21-year-old Leonard Alfano lost their lives. Among the other victims who also perished were 22-year-old Vincenzo Napoli, 26-year-old Giovanni Larocca, 26-year-old Giuseppe Mitidieri, 50-year-old Giovanni Gatto, 54-year-old Pietro Larocca, and my beloved great-uncle Alessandro Arvia, just 26 years old. The parish priest from Sant Alessandro Martire church recorded their passing as occurring “suddenly under an excavation of a mill in the Valle district.”

News of the disaster spread quickly, drawing both townspeople and officials to the site. They included Francesco Colomba, the mayor of Alessandria del Carretto, and the town doctor, Pietro Chidichimo. Police from the neighboring town of Oriolo were summoned to investigate the incident. Initial rescue efforts were hindered by torrential rain, which triggered a second landslide. The last victim, Giuseppe Mitidieri, was still trapped beneath the debris, forcing rescuers to postpone their mission until conditions improved.

On Dec. 5, 1896, the community of Alessandria del Carretto came together to pay their respects in a heartfelt funeral service for those who had fallen. The following year, on the anniversary of this tragic disaster, a memorial service was

held to honor the lost lives. The town’s bells rang daily, serving as a solemn reminder of the impact this tragedy had on all.

In the aftermath of the disaster, mourning turned into a demand for accountability. The owner of the mill, Don Filomeno Rossi, who had served as the town’s mayor in the late 1880s, and the miller, Antonio Bruno, faced charges of manslaughter due to negligence. Although the Court of Castrovillari initially acquitted them, an appeal from the victims’ families prompted a retrial at the Court of Appeals of Catanzaro. On June 12, 1897, both men were convicted and sentenced to 12 months and 15 days in detention, along with a fine of 1,666 lire. They were also ordered to pay restitution to the families of the deceased.

While the stories of this tragedy have been carefully handed down through generations by the town’s elders, the passage of time often threatens to erase our personal histories. That’s why I passionately urged the administration of Alessandria del Carretto to establish a permanent memorial in honor of the victims. Such a memorial would serve as a place for the descendants of the victims of the Gilorma landslide, as well as the entire community, to come together in remembrance and to preserve those memories for future generations.

Historians Professor Ettore Angio and Professor Alessandro Arvia, alongside writer Janet Arvia, secretary Grazia Brunacci, attorney Mimma Covelli, digital creator Rosemary Fanti, creative director Richard Koranda, and author Giuseppe Genise, have generously shared their expertise in support of this initiative.

I am wholeheartedly committed to raising the necessary funds for this project by rallying the support of the town of Alessandria del Carretto, as well as its descendants throughout the United States. To lend a hand, contact me at jwarvia@gmail.com.

History often fades into obscurity, but we must not let the sacrifices of our ancestors be forgotten.

The article above appears in the August 2025 issue of the print version of Fra Noi. Our gorgeous, monthly magazine contains a veritable feast of news and views, profiles and features, entertainment and culture. To subscribe, click here.