Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-12-23
NATURAL GAS EXPL0DES.
CaIamities at Washington aud Butler Pa
One Killed and Others Injured.

CnIamitics at Washington aud Butler IA.
One Killed and Others Injured.
A Washington pa special says: An ex-
nlosIon Of natural gas, terrific In force, oc-
CURED at the corner Of Main and Maiden
streets, about bali. past O'Clock this MORN
ing. Jacob Beck and Mrs. Rabe, brother
in.law, with their families occupied long.
two.story brick residence ut the point
named. Mr.. and Mrs. Rabe awakened,
and. thinking they smelled burning
paint, proceeded TO the lower rooms FOR
the purpose Of investigating, but discover
ing nothing wrong, went back to bed. In
few moments, however. they were greeted
with the same sensation, dagain went be-
low. tbs time taking a lighted lamp with
th,m. which Mrs. Rsbe carried. While pass
inc through one Of the rooms she suddenly
raised the lamp in front OF her, about n
high as her head, when loud explosion
occurred. The oil few all over Mrs. RaDe
and in an instant she was in flames. Her
husband was knocked down by the concuS-
sion. 4 large number 81 residences here
are suppl;ed with natural gas-iuel ana u
seems that large valve regulating the
main line had become loOsened, permitting
large quantities. OF gas TO escape rms
forced ITS way along the seryice-pipe.
across the street, and to the house.
When il came in contact with the light IN
+ hands OF Mrs. Rabc violent shock
took place. The entire brick front on
Maiden street from tie ground to the ROOF
was knocked out. On Main street. Just
oround the corner, the front OF the lower
story was also torn out and the adjoining
building badly damaged. Mr.. and Mrs. Rabe
were carried across the street to l.. McCar-
rels. where. afterG few hours intense SUI
ieripe. Mrs. Rabe breathed her last. The
torture was so severe she implored hef
friends 10 kill her. After her death. when
lifted from the bed 10 prepare her Tor the
coffin. the flesh literally fell from her bouy
and her scalp stuck TO the bed-clothing.
MIR. Rabe las upon this same bed. and II Is
believed the horrible sight he witnessed IN
connection with his wife's death will mt
terially assist in making his ease. fatal one
also. They leave two little daughters. The
excitement 4 intense, A. many OF the peo-
nile have the natural gas in their houses.
A Pittsburgh special says: An explosion
OF natural Gas occurred at Butler AT |
o'clock this morning in the fine brick resi-
dence OF John Gates, which was entirety
Demolished. and the family, consisting OF
Jahn Gates, wife and four children. All
grown up. were buried In the debris. They
retired about 10 O'Clock, and probably TWO
hours later Winnie, daughter aged twe1.
tv wears, who slept down stairs, awoke ana
noticed q tiny blue flame playing on inc
Leurthsfone. She got up and put IL out'
| and then called her brother John. who'
with n lipht. went to the cellar 10 invesIi'
gate. He bad no sooner opened the dooi
| than terrible explosion followed, and the
| building was RACED from It's foundation,
| and came down mass OF ruins.
People living quarter OF nile away
| felt the shock, and in short time Dlent! VI
| willing hands were at work trying 10 SAVE
The lives OF the six human beings who were
known TO have been in the building at tht
lime the explosion occurred. The tirst on.
taken out was Leonard. aged twenty-elgn'
wears. lie was painfully bruised. aud, u !,
| Thought. sustained internal injuries. JONI
Gates. ,Jr., was next taken out. lie wa
| t.dly burned about the face, neck. ano
| AIMS. but not seriously hurt. Mr. ana
Mrs. Gates escaped with severe bruises
and the daughters, Winnie and Emhy
we're found In the coal-vauit uniniured'
There Il good deal OF mystery SUI
rounding the accident. There was no III
| tpral gas In the house, and the eastman
are tbirty.iyc feet away and buried tnre
feet underground. 1t Is supposed tha
there was leak In the main line, and tna
during the late cold spell the ground wa wa
frozen so as to hermetically seal al e'cats
This beng the ease. the gas impregnase''
the arourd, and found It's way TO the ee'
lar through the rocks and crevIccs.