Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-09-19
BURNED TO DEATH.
bishop .WiIey's Only Son Per-
fshes in the Frames of
Burning Oil.
cinninnati Commercial. l6.

William L. Wiley, the only son of
Bishop Wiley, was burned to death at
five o'clock yesterday afternoon in the
cellar Of Charles Z. Collins oil ware
house on East Second street. This is
the place where the oil fire occurred
the day previous. Mr.. CofiRis q SON
|in-iaw Of Bishop Wiley, aud Willie,
as the unfortunate young man was
Familiarity called, was employed by Nj.
Coffin as a clerk during his summer
college vacation. The fire on Thurs.
day did not d~estroyall the stock in the
warehouse, but a considerable amount
Of oil still stood on the first floor and
in the cellar in barrels, which had
been eharred by the intense heat. At
the hour named yesterday afternoon,
Joung WILEY aud John Stathem, the
porter of the house, were engaged in
the cellar in transferring a dangerous
quality of oil from one barrel TO an-
other, and in coopering the barrels,
when suddenly a stave of one of the
barrels broke, and the oil rushed out
and completely submerged a lighted
lantern standing near. In an instant
a tremendous volume OF flame envel
oped the unfortunate men. Young
Wiley fell on his face between two
large barrels. An alarm of fire was
instantly turned in, and the chemi-
cal engine was soon on the
ground. Captain Purcell, at the risk
Of his life, sprang down the hatchway,
and with difficulty carried the young
man in his arms to the street. where
be gave one gasp and was dead. Stat
hem was rescued, but be was dread
fully burned. His first question was.
rs Willie safe?" The dreadful truth
was not told him. He was taken to a
saloon near by and DR.. rhos. Loring
summoned, who did all in his power
to alleviate suffering. The patrol
wagon had arrived with bandages, lime
water, liEseed oil, and raw cotton,
which we're applied to Stathem's body,
and partially relieved him Of his 10.
tense pain. He was then taken to the
hospital.
Young Wiley's body was taken to q
yard near the scene Of the accident
His clothes were almost burned from
his body. and the flesh on his face was
terribly scorched. Some bystanders
washed off the dirt from his face and
neck, and by order OF Assistant Man
dhal WHISKY the body was covered over
to keep the curious from gazing on the
CHASTITY remains.
The deceased was a student of the
IOhio Wesleyan University at Della
ware, and had intended to return to
his studies next Monday. He would
have graduated next June. He was
about twenty M years of age, and a
bright and intelligent young man, and
no doubt would have made his mark
in the world. Those who knew him
intimately speak of him in the very
highest terms.
Immediately after the sad occur
renee Mr., Coffin started for Fair
mount to acQuaint the mother of the
dead boy with the terrible news. In
the meantime the Coroner arrived and
ordered the remains sent to Habig's.
Mrs. Wiley came to the city and gave
instructions to Undertaken Epply to
prepare the body for burial, and have
it sent to the family residence. The
Bishop is in Winterset, Iowa, where
he has been presiding over a confer
ence. He was ~telegraphed last even
ing BY Rev. DR.. Joyce, of st. Paul's
church. Bishop Wiley has four
daughters-Mrs. Coffin, Mrs. Robert
Jones, Miss Nellie and Miss Minnie.
William was the only boy.
The porter, Johu Stathem. was ter.
ribly burned about the back, and when
his shirt was removed the skin peeled
OIL with it. He suffered greatly, but
bore the pain with remarkable forti-
tude. He resides at 81 East Third
street, and is single man.
The fremen soon extinguished the
FIRE, and the loss was very small. In
conversation with Chief Bunker he
said that lac had no doubt that ben.
zine aud common oil were stored in
the cellar. This is against the Law.