Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-09-19
BURNED TO DEATH.
Bishop Wiley's Only Son Perishes i'm
the Flames of Burning Oil
Cincinnati Commercial. Saturday


Cincinnati Commercial, Saturday.
VIM. p. Wiley, the only son of
Bishop Wiley, was burned to death
at 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon, in
the cellar of Charles E. Cofin's oil
warehouse, on East Second street.
This is the place where the oil fire
occurred the day previous. Mr..
Coffin is a son>in,law of Bishop
Wiley, and Willie, as the unfortunate
young man was Familiarity called, was
employed by Mr. Coffin as clerk
during his summer vacation. The
fire on Thursday did not destroy all
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 charred by
the intense heat. At the hour named
yesterday afternoon, young Wiley
and John Stathem, the porter OF
the house, were engaged in the cell
lar in transferring a dangerous quail,
ity of oil from one barrel to another,
and in coopering the barrels,
when suddenly stave of
one of the bas els broke, and the oil
rushed out and completely sub
merged a lighted lantern standing
near. In an instant a tremendous
volume of flame enveloped the un-
fortunate men. Young Wiley fell
on his face between two large bar
rels. An alarm of fire was instantly
turned in, and the chemical engine
was soon on the ground Captain
Purcell, at the risk Of his life, sprang
down the hatchway, and with diff
Guilty carried the young man in his
arms to the street, where he gave
one gasp and was dead. Stathem
was rescued, but he was dreadfully
burned. His first question was,
:" Is Willie safe?'' The dreadful
truth was not told him. He was
taken to a saloon near by and DR..
Thos. Loring summoned, who did
all in his power to alleviate suffering.
The patrol wagon had arrived with
bandages, lime water, hnseed oil, and
raw cotton, which were applied to
Stathem's body, and partially re
ieved him of his intense pain. He
was then taken to the hospital.
Young Wlley's body was taken to
yard near the scene of the acci>
dent. 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 Wisely, the body was
covered over to keep the curious
from gazing on the CHASTITY remains.
The deceased was student of the
Ohio Wesleyan University at Della
ware, and had intended to return to
his studies next Monday. He would
have graduated next June. He was
about tweltyoone years of age, and a
bright and intelligent young man,
and no doubt would have made his
mark in the world Those who knew
hi n in oimately speak of him i'll the
very highest terms.
Immediately after the occurrence
Mr., Coffin started for Paramount 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
conference. He was telegraphed
last evening by Rev. DR.. Joyce, of
st. Paul's Church. Bishop Wiley
has four daughters Coffin, Mrs.
Robert Jones, Miss Nellie and Miss
Minnie, William was the only boy.