The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-08-18
WHY HIS HAIR TURNED WHITE.
An Experience in the Oil Region--shootins
at Burning Tank with q Cannon-A
Portions Position

An Experience in the Oil Region-sh Shooting
| Portions Position.
Correspondence of the Philadelphia Times
BRADFORD, Pa, July 23.-"How did nv
hair turn white? Well, sir, if you will sit
down on that bull-wheel shaft while turn
OF the gas at the boiler and slack the sand
line in the derrick, will tell Won. I don't
tell the story very often, but if Boylston
sent you here to see me I guess it's all
right. was originally Bostonian, having
been raised at the Hub. When I left [
had just been ground out of an educational
mill and had the brand aesthetic blown in
each bottle. THOUGHT Of the oil country
as place where barbarians lived and where
good, smart man could make fortune in
three weeks. It is needless to say was
greatly fooled. I came to the oil. country
fresh as daisy and before living in it
two weeks came to the conclusion none
the less sure because it was forced, that
was more tit to drive or saw wood than I
was to be an oil king. knew how to han
die horses, for my father kept a first class
carriage, and as was strong and healthy
there was no reason why should 20 home
failure. will not tell you of the strug-
giles against pride had, for you can doubt
less appreciate my position. Suffice it to
say that am head driller on this we'll and
that am striking back at misfortune as
vigorously as 1t bestowed sledge- hammer
blows on me two or three years ago.
There had been heavy storm one night
at about midnight, and, as usual with the
Oh country residents, I arose and looked
from the window to see if any tanks had
been struck by tightening. A bright glare
IN the Sky convinced me that large tank
m 70 r
went back to sleep, determined to 20 to the
hire at noon, and see the first overflow.
You know that when a 5000 barrel iron
tank OF oil has been on fire for twelve or
fourteen hours the burning oil will boil up
and how over the sides Just like kettle of
soap. At 2 o'clock the first grand overflow
occurred. As stood on the hillside, pick
ing wild berries, I heard man shout, She's
coming, and saw pipeline men running
away from the tank for their lives. I heard
rumbling sound inside the tank and didn't
know what it meant, but few seconds after
saw fully five hundred barrels Of burning
on shoot up from the tank and boil over the
SIDES. 1t was grand beyond description,
burning oil foated down creek for mile,
burning saw mill, numerous oil wells and
tanks, buildings, and everything within
reach OF its devastating breath. When the
dow had partly subsidized it was found that
second 25, 900 barrel iron tlnk had been
set on fire by the overflow of burning oil.
being somewhat inquisitive venturei down
behind tie burning tanks to get better
view from the lower side. While trying to
avoid pool OF burning oil fell into a mud
hole or sort OF quicksand and stuck fast
MY utmost endeaFors were of no avail in
exlricating myself from the hole. yelled
at the top of nay voice, but so great was the
roar of the burning tanks that my voice
sounded weak and far away. 7 struggled
until exhausted. and then l lay back and
pillar of black seemed in the
clear blue sky. Great pillows Of
smoke would go surging upwards hundreds
OF feet and float away into space, their SOM
Der hues turned to snowy wilderness. I
thought the boys would miss and search
for me. Suddenly heard the sound of
cannon and saw q column of flame and
smoke shoot up from one Of the tanks.
The truth came upon me like bolt of
lightning, and was almost stricken sense
less by the thought. The United Pipe line
men were firing cannon balls through the
first tank to draw off the oil and prevent
second overflow. Great God! what convic-
ton came before me! The burning oil would
flow down upon me! It was matter of sec
ondsI tried to shout, but the words eou dnct
come. With the strength Of despair I
struggled to get free. The quicksand held
me with the grip Of ten thousand devils
All at once I saw little stream Of burning
oil running slowly down towards me. My
time had come I thought, and must be
burned t. death by inches. The earth was
dear to me then-dearer than ever before
and I turned to get q look at the sun
Highland the bright world once more. The
horror and fear passed away, and / was
ready to die. The stream Of burning oil,
now grown larger. was almost upon me,
but / did not seem to care. I saw it as in
dream. The earth and all things earthly
faded away and all was dark When I
came back to Consciousness was lying in
my own room, with my friends around me.
The boys said that in following the sup
posed course Of the overlooked oil they
came upon and rescued me just as the burn
ing oil was about to dash upon me. was
sick . long white, and whom got we'll
found my hair WI to as you see il now.