The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-02
CONFEDERATION In PENNSYLVANIA.
A Large Part or MilIerstown, Butler
County, DestrOyed-Seven Persons
Burned to Death-Seventy Buildings
Annihilpted,

burned 10 Death-Seventy Butldtn Is
Annihilated,
! PrrTsBURG April l. 1874.
most destructive nre occurred at an early hour
TINS morning, involving almost q total destruction
OF the village OF Milerstown, Butler county, in the
oil regions This territory WITHIN the last year has
been the scene OF many disastrous CONGREGATIONS,
but the one OF this morning undoubtedly Is the
most severe, involving, as 1t does, the destruction
OF something like seventy buildings and the lives
OF seven persons. The fire broke out at about one
O'Clock, when the inhabitants were IN their beds
and as q high wind was prevailing at the time the
names made rapid progress. lighting up the
heavens and shooting up sparks as thick as snow
nakes.
The fire had its origin In Schaub's jewelry store,
which was located under the Central HOTEL and 1t
Is supposed peculiar kind OF gas used on the
premises exploded, causing the confederation.
me Central Hotel Is o wooden building, and the
fre ran SO rapidly to Its root that the inmates had
no time to realize their peril Several walters
were asleep In the upper story, and four OF them
were consumed.
Their names are -
James Gilbrath
NOAH Carte. OF Pleasantvllle.
George Deet. and another, unknown.
Among the guests known to have persisted are
Captain Oliver, gentleman well known In East
ern cities and throughout the oil regions, where
he was q large operator.
Martin Phillips and Sanford Alcert, two drilIers
OF oil wells, also persisted in the names.
Nellie MCCARTHY, young lady employed II the
hotel was aroused by the cracking OF the fire as it
ran along the roof Her apartment was In the
third story. She reached the window, and with
out moments hesitation jumped to the ground,
injuring herself SO badly that 1t is feared she can
not recover.
Little or none OF the property OF those In the
hotel was saved the destruction OF the building
was so fierce and rapid.
The danes leaped from one building to another
destroying all the houses on the east side OF Main
street from Fredericks' grocery and hardware
store, including the Central and Hanlan houses,
Opera House, Reed 4 Durants hardware store
Senk's Hotel and two other buildings SOUTH
On the west side of Main street, from Red
Franks north, inclusive OF the Butler County
Bank, United Pipe Lines ONCE. express ONCE
the Milierstown Savings Bank. Westerman's
grocery, up to Schneider's billiard ROOM on Slip
perry Rock street, north side, from Frederck's
boot and shoe store west to Barnhardts grocery
store and Hooks dwelling on the south side; Slip
perry Rock street on the east to Pufr's landing in
Guided. About seventy buildings In all are de-
stroyed, embracing the best portion OF the city.
The houses for the most part were wooden struc-
lures, sim liar In design and construction to those
found In almost all towns Of the Oil regions, and
consequently the progress Of the flames was fear
fully rapid and terribly destructive.
1t Is thought number OF other persons persisted,
and latest advices state that the ruins are now
being searched for persons known to be missing
but thus lar no other remains have been found.
This calamity Is one of the most terrible affairs
that have ever occurred IN the Oil regions, and 1t
mas cast gloom over the community.
The loss by the connagration is varously esti-
mated. but the estimates are so wild that no doubt
In the excitement they are wide of the truth.
Estimat ted Losses by the Fire.
PITTsBURG, April i, 1874.
The loss by the fire at Millerstown, Butler
county, to-day, as far as ascertaned, amounts to
$685., 800, and the insurance to $54,350.