Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1878-1884, 1883-05-11
VISITATION FROM HEAVEN
ON THE HOST GIGANTIC MONOP-
OILY IN THE WORLD.
The Works of the Standard Oil Com
pany Struck by Lightning and
100000 Gallons of.Oil De-
-=, strOyed-LOss Over
$1,OO0,0O0.
Plenty of Light.

Plenty of Light.
JERSEY CRY, May 10.-The works of the Stan
dard Oil company at Communipaw, the most
extensive in this country, are on fire and about
one half of the property is now destroyed. The
fire started during a severe storm this morning
One Of the large tanks near the shore was struck
and exploded by lightning. The burning oil
poured out like an angry river and flowed down
the avenues between the rows of enormous
| tanks toward the river. In a short time the
flames communicated with the three huge tanks
and they ell exploded simultaneously with ter
rife force. Fragments of iron were hurled q
dist nee of half mile. The burning oil was
scattered in all directions. The entire fire de-
vices are almost useless as the burning streams
Of oil poured through the yard firing tank after
tank on the east side, and licking up the build.
| ings on its way. The store house, solid struc-
ture where burre!ed oil was kept, was attacked
| by the flames and burned. The engi ine houses
went next and the oil and water pump houses,
| the sunken tank and machine shops quickly fol-
lowed, and the wh,le of the easterly side works
| is sccthlng mass of flames. Despite the tre-
! menduus heat and binding smoke the hremen
| are working valiantly in the hope Of checking
the
PROGRESS OF THE FLAMES.
But it appears at this hour that the east
works will he destroyed, and it is feared the
| flames viii reach out and consume other prop
| .rty in the neighborhood. The people are de-
| sertins their hom, and moving out what is val
uabe of their effects. 1t is estimated that there
ere 500, 0OG gallons Of oil in the tanks, and the
10 of property already in ashes will reach 81 J,
| U0u09O. The shaft OF lightning which was one
! of upequaled brilliancy, that struck the first
| tank WAS seen by the ifemen OF engine No. ~,
| on Holiday street, Jersey City, a mile sway and
| the engine at on started TOR the scene. 1t was
soon Uncovered to be useless work to play upon
| the flames and all efforts we're directed to pre-
vent them from spreading. This was partially
successful until nearly O'Clock, when tank No.
exploded with terrific report, and the blaz-
! ing oil spread with lightning rapidity Chief
Ferrier and number of men were within ten
yards Of this tank when it exploded, and were
| saved almost by miracle. Dropping the hose,
which was soon burned to ashes, they He'd for
| their lives. When they mustered together at a
| safe distance six of their number were missing.
The smoke was 80 dense that it was impos'ibie
| to tell which way one was going and 1t Is
| thought
| THE UNFORTUNATE MEN
ran down to the river and were lost. Their
| names are John Herbert, superintendent, Joseph
! jenkins, for. man; Geo. Davis, engineer; Henry
| Kegler, Dick Callxin. laborels; VIM. Curry, boi-
| Ter maker. The waves of flaming oil bad rolled
| in upon the engine house, carpe.ter shops, ma
| chine shops, boiler and pump room, two ware
houses, cooper shop and blacksmith ship, and
| they were heap of ruins in an hour. Tank
after tank was caught by the flames until seven
| out of the twenty-six on the ground were blaz-
! ing. The tracks of the Pennsylvania Central
railway caught fire and several rolling tanks on
! the rails were only saved by having earth piled
on top of them. The bay was a sheet Of flaming
| oil, and long trestle bridge of the railway,
about quarter of a mile IN length, running
| from the works to Black Tom island was also
burned to the waters edge. At the boarding
| hou>e Of the Eagle refinery close by, the scene
was painful in the extreme. The newly made
| widows congregated in one room, hope nd de.
spair alternating in their distracted minds and
! lanentipg the terrible fate OF their 1ov~d ones
from whom they had parted but few hours
| before. No bodies have beon found for the heat
renders close approach to the ruins impos-
| sible.
THE BURNING WORKS
| extended with those Of the Eagle refinery about
| three fourths of mile along the bay and about
| one quarter of mile Inland. ] he buildings
| that have been destroyed We're situated In the
| midst of the tanks. The wind is southeast and
blowing off the sea, aud therefore there is no
| danger Of any other tanks exploding. Had the
| wind been no:tneriy the boarding house of the
Eagle wo,ks would certainly have burned asso.
LATER.
JERSEY CRY, May 10, II so a. m.-The oil fire
is still raging. The Eagle refinery is now in
danger, but if the wind continues in the south
east the remaining buildings may be saved.
Six lives have been lost thus far.
STILL LATER.
JERSEY CRY, May II, p. m.-The fire is now
under control. 1t is thought the loss will ex-
ceed million and half. Twelve large banks,
| ten cars six barges and dredges, three docks and
| five brick buildings are destroyed. Tie quantity
besides the Standard oil company are several
other oil firms, who lose from 400 to 700 barrels
| of cylinder oil
Markets by Telegraph
! DULUTH, May 1.-The markets on Change
to-day no;ninally unchanged l.1615 was offer
ed for 2 cars No. hard spot. One car No.
spot was offered at 10Y; 1.12 was bid fol
10000 bushels No. hard, seller year.
MILWAUKEE,, May 10.-Four, quiet and no n
sl.l2M; may $l.llA; June, $l.l4116; July
l.165s; No. 3, 80; No. 4, 76.
CH1cAGo. May l0.-Flour quieS and firm
regular wheat, irregular, fairly active: l.l279
May; 1.l41s@l.14 June; l.l6s9 9@1.l61a July
1.l5,s August. l.l6A September; la year
No. Chicago spring l,ll14 @l.l2; No. 8 Chicago
spring Csc; No, red winter $l,l3I@1.l4.
(. M1NNEAPoL1s, May 9.-Wheat, Miller's As7o.
citation No. hard, l.l011a5; No. 2 hard LOG; No.
regular, 1.06, No. Q, regular l.O1; No. 8 regula,
96. On change, No. l hard LIB; No. hard LILO
No. regular northern l0S17; No regular
northern LOO.
/ Nothing From Crook Yet.
DENVER. Col, May l0.-The 81 Paso, Texas
! Times says Neither the Mexican nor our Off
GERS have yet received inteiligenc, of or from
/ Car, Crx,nlr Gol linda ut paao .Dal N1rfo has