davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-08
DESOLATION IN THE VALLEY.

Hills Torn to Pieces by the Terrific Force OF
the Swollen Flood Debris Scattered
Broadcast by the seething waters-A
Wild Waste Of Jagged Rock.
OIL CITY, June 7.-[Speeial. THE trip
along the valley where the flood descended
is marked by the scenes of the widest DESC
lation. Huge trees have been torn from
their positions and hurled down to-
gether in narrow ravines, wreak-
ing destruction, desolation and dis
aster at every point The banks
of the creek have been plowed up in places
until it looks like some massive battering
ram had been directed against it with dead
ly effect. Boulders OF rock and stone have
been bodily lifted from their resting
places and in some places completely
overturned, tearing great riffs in the sides
OF the hills that skirt The creek, where
great pieces of trees have been torn away
by the madly rushing waters.
Everyone that is met has some terrible ex-
perience to tell of. The people were bod
lily swept from their feet and dashed with
terrible force against the trees and rocks in
the path of the deadly flood. Houses were
carried away, and before they had been
carried out of sight of their terrorized
owners had been dashed to pieces and the
debris scattered broadcast with the seething
waters Upon every side are the evil
dences and it requires no vivid i'm
agination to conceive the scene
as 1t was upon last Sunday.
Driftwood consisting of broken trees,
branches, caves of houses, partly demol-
ished roofs, besides innumerable small
articles consisting of half barrels, parts of
chicken coops, window sashes with the Jagged
edge of the broken glass visible, chair or
pieces of broken bedstead arc choked in
between logs and trees, and in places are
held in the middle of the streams by some
element forced down.
The current of the creek is sluggish to-
day and the thick muddy water lazily rip
ples in passing the many piles. There
are supposed to be the bruised
bodies Of dead in various places and the
unfortunates whose homes have been
wrecked and their families swept away are
searching in the ruins There are volumes
yet to be written of the devastated district
along the route from Titusville to Oil City
as the tale will not be told for days.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-08

| fication to him to learn thai
so effective an organization for the distri
button of relief had been effected in Oil
City, and that 80 great sanitary precau
tion had been taken. He had been Informed
| that the Board of Relief of Titusville and
| Oil City had referred to the Pittsburg com.
mittee the work of distributing the funds
according to the necessities of the sufferers
| wherever situated.
Board of Health Prec ,utions.
Mayor Hunt informed the Governor Of
| the precautions adopted by the Board Of
Health of OIL City toward having the tanks
| built hereafter in places which would not as
heretofore endanger the health and safety OF
the citizens They would be erected after
this in such places that they would not be-
! come a standing menace to the people.
After gracefully alluding to the fact that
hundreds of people were eagerly waiting to
hear something from the Governor whom
they SO greatly respected, the Mayor de-
clared the meeting adjourned to the steps
of the Oil Exchange.
When the Governor had been conducted
to the steps of the Oil Exchange he was in
troduced to the waiting crowd by Mayor
Hunt. He said:' 'It is difficult, extremely
difficult to know what to say to you on this
occasion. This locality has been visited by
ureaoiul caiamity, Possiplv only e4-
ceeded by one other instance in the
history of the commonwealth There has
not only been q destruction of property, but
that which is far more serious, destruction
of life. Your fellow citizens heard with
sadness and heavy hearts of the news as it
was wired across the country, of the dread
full misfortune of Northwestern Pennsyl-
vania
Only One Feeling in the State.
'aThere was one feeling, there was but one
sentiment, and that was expressed by de-
sire to come to your relief in this hour of
your distress"
''Since have been with you," he said, IT
have been gratifed, as have said to your
fellow citizens, with the efficient organiza-
tion that that you h have III in your local
fering, provide for the distress and
look after the wants of those
who have felt the serious effects of the fire
and flood. Your fellow citizens sympathize
with you and as they send you contribu-
the property can be restored, places of
business put In order again and
men can after time 90. about
their accustomed pursuits, but they
also realize that it is utterly impossible by
any act of theirs to restore to you your fei-
low citizens whose lives have been sacri-
feed in this calamity. think express to
you upon this occasion the sympathy of
your fellow citizens. not only of Pennsyl-
vania, but wherever the news has been car
ried of the dreadful calamity that has Wis
tied this section of the State.
Governor Pattison leaves at 2 o'clock to-
morrow morning for Pittsburg, but Rudolph
Blanenberg and Robert McWade will wait
to confer with committee from Oil City,
one from Titusville and another from Pitts
burg in regard to the most systematic man.
ner of distributing food and clothing to
those who are In distress
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-08

from the Allegheny, leaving the air as pure
as heavens dew, while only three days ago
it was so impregnated with gas that layers
of the deadly stuff we're plainly visible.
A Message From the Dead.
A message from the dead was discovered
to-day in the clothing taken from the body
of Bartholomew Lyons and his little son.
They lived In about the center of the devas-
tated district on Seneca street. In the
same house was the Mills family, seven of
whom perlshed.
When Mr. Lyons saw the flood rising and
the flames rapidly nearing him he took his
wife and son into room iarthest from the
flames, and in a large, full, round hand
wrote two notes. One he placed in the in
side pocket of his own vest and the other
he securely pinned on the breast pocket OF
his boys clothing. The first read:
June 6, 1927 am Bartholomew Lyons,
of Oil City. My wife and 1 will die to-
gether.''
That which he pinned on the clothing of
his son was:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-08
HOW THE FIRE STARTED.

Another Version of the Origin OF the
Flames That Brought Death and De-
struction-A Switch Engine on Trest le
Work Responsible for Many of the
Horrors.
OIL CITY, PA, June 7.-[SpecidL THE
origin of the fire which played SO conspicu-
Gus a part in Sunday mornings terrible
tragedy is established beyond the peradven-
ture OF doubt. General John A. Wiley
is well known as a careful observer, and he
gives the following account of the ignition:
Warning of the sudden rise in Oil Creek
having been received, a plan frequently
found successful under similar circumstances
was adopted. A switch engine was ordered
to run freight train onto the railroad
bridge of the Western New York and Penn
sylvania Railroad at the head of Seneca
street, that its weight might act as an
ancorage to the structure to counteract the
terrible power of the rushing waters and
their burden of logs The train got
into position, and the torrent came
down. The surface of the water
was already covered with oil and
it just reached the level of the locomotive
i:e-box. In an instant the combustible
fluid was in flames an d the fire was trans
mitted in fash to the So, ,00O-barrel tank
ct 63 degree naphtha which stood nearly at
the end of the bridge.
Then occurred the first explosion, and
thus began the terrible confagrstion which
was responsible for so large a share of the
fatalities and damage whose amount is not
even yet known. Conductor Sincerny,
Engineer Carr and Fireman Sullivan, of
the freight train, are unable to say with
certainty whether they leaped from the
train or whether they were hurled thence
by the force developed in the explosion of
The tank But their submersion was long
enough to save them from the flames, and
they escaped death with a scorching until
they reached the shore.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-08
PRESIDENT HARRISON'S GIFT.

He Contributed Two Hundred Dollars for
the Suf1erers-Ihe Money Accepted by
Governor Pattison's Secretary, Who
Sends Acknowledgements for the Timely
Donation.
HARRISBURG, June Especial. THE
following dispatch was received at the Ex-
ecutive Department this morning:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, !
WASHINGTON, ID. c., June7
To Governor Pattison, Harrisburg:
The President directs me to place 800 at
your disposal for the relief of the suffering
at Oil City and Titusvtlle, and to express
his deep sympathy.
(Signed) Z. W. HALroRD
Private Secretary.
The following answer was at once sent:
To Hon. 2. W. Halford. Private Secretary, wash
ington, u. c.:
Your telegram to Governor Pattison re-
mitting 5000 for the OIL City and Titusville
sufferers has been received and will bc for
warded to Governor Pattison, who Is at the
scene of the disaster. please convey to
President Harrison the thanks ana appreci-
alton OF all Pennsylvania for his generous
and timely offering.
(signed) H. D. TATE, Private Secretary.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-08
THE DEAD AND MISSING.

Two OF tho Injured at OIL City Die and
Swell the List to Forty-One-Others Ex
peoted to succumb to Their Hurts
Many Missing and Injured.
[FRoM STAFF CORRESPONDENT
OIL CITY, June 1.-Two more unfortu
mates have been added to the list of the
known dead. They died to-day. One j.
Myrtle Hawks, Is years of age, who died al
o'clock this morning, and the other little
Johnny Bruensel, 5 years old. He died IN
the hospital this morning at 8 o'clock, this
swells the list of the dead in Oil City to Al.
A telegram was received to-day stating
that body had been seen passing Foxbure
and near it was a sign bearing the name OF
Fred Paul, of Oil City.
The following is list of the missing,
which was completed by the authorities at
late hour tonight.
W. D. TERWILLIGER, about Is years of age,
married, wife and three children resides
GRANT TERWILLIGER, about 80 years OF
age, married, and leaves a wife ana one
child.
WILLIAM WHITE, barrel trimmer by oc.
cupation at the Continental Refining Com.
pany, about SO years of age, married, and
leaves wife ana three children.
JAMES RODGERS a ref1ner, 45 years old,
FRANK EAKINS. about % years old, mar
ried, no children.
JAMES HERKINS; % years old, single.
WILLIAM HASSENFRITZ, % years Of age,
telegraph operator.
SAMUEL RICHARDSON, machinist, 45 years
ofage.
WILLIS STEWART, leaves wife, 80 years
old, resides in Silveryville.
AMBROSE w. MORAN, 27 years of age, elec-
trio light man, home in Rochester, N. Y.
FRANK GOODRICH, electrician, leaves wife
and three children, member OF No. Hose
Company.
DAVID COPELAND, aged 80. leaves four
children, wife and si1-day child burned to
death.
GEORGE CHRIsTY, carpenter, 40 years old.
GEORGE REED carpenter.
JOHN HAWKS, 20 years of age, wife dying
of burns and leaves seven children.
There are II patients in the Oil City Hos
pital who we're injured Sunday. They are
receiving the best of attention, but two of
them are expected to die.
The great majority of the injured were
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-08
MEETS WITH COMMITTEES,
And Addresses Assuring Words to
Gatherings of Citizens.
PROVISIONS POURING UPON THEN.
Cash in Large Amounts Contributed for
Immediate Use.
MEASURES FOR PROTECTION TO HEALTH
trRoM 4 STAFF CORRESPONDENT


OIL CITY, June Tt is an awful
calamity but not so great as I expected. D
These were the words OF Governor Pattisor
this evening when he returned from hi.
trip to Titusville. He entered Oil City
at 1:20 o'clock this afternoon and went
Immediately to the Hotel Arlington. Ate,
dinner he addressed the people who had
congregated in the streets and then accom-
panied BY Adjutant General Greenland and
General Wiley he made tour Of the
devastated districts.
They first went to the Third ward, on the
west side of Oircreek, and after viewing
that portion of the city they went to North
Seneca street, where the Governor gazed
upon the most appalling disaster since
Johnstown. Soon after leaving this spot
they boarded train for Titusville.
When Governor Pattison had eaten din
ner after his return this evening he went to
his room and found waiting the members of
the local relief committee, Mayor Hunt
and number OF prominent citizens of Oil
City. After selecting the Mayor as Chair
man. the committee settled down to the
business for which he called it into exist
ence. William L. Lay, of Oil City, made
brief address, in which he informed the
Governor and committee that the homeless
people or the most of them would have to
be supported by the citizens for at least six
months, and that he did not look for re-
vival of business on its accustomed basis be-
fore next fall
Maosoroa Rnr R>IaF
Kenton Chickering described the meas
ures taken for the establishment of perma-
nent hospital in Oil City. Several thou
sand dollars, Mr.. Chickering said, had al
ready been subscribed. A site had been
given and plans submitted for a building
which would cost not less than $50, 900.
The methods adopted for caring for the
dead were explained by Captain William
Hasson, who said that every precaution had
been taken to give decent burial to the
dead. At least 500 people would require
food and shelter. Money was the principal
need, rather than supplies.
Gov. Pattison then addressed the COM
mittee briefly. His first thought, he said,
on hearing of the disaster, was of the ca
pacity of the people of Oil City and Titus
vile to care for the sufferers, and no doubt
had entered his mind that not only Penn
sylvania but the citizens of the United
States would be prompt in responding to
meet the wants Of the sufferers from this
dreadful calamity. 1t was source of graft
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-08
GOV. PATTISON ARRIVES.

He Holds q Conference With the Relief
600 for tho SufEerers--He Estimates That
100000 Is Needed for Immediate Use.
TITUsv1LLE, June 7.-[Specsal ]-After
brief visit in Oil City, Governor Pattison
left for here at 2 o'clock. His special was
the first train over since the disaster, peo-
pie having to content themselves with iedi-
Gus cross country driving or face the dan
gers of horseback riding along the banks of
Oil creek. New York and New Orleans
practically are no more remote from each
other than have been these sister towns in
af1iction until to-day.
The train made fair speed and the Cover
nor arrived in town unexpected and unan-
Brunswick Hotel, situated on the outlying
district of the flats, where the inundaton,
the explosion and the fire have laid triple
destroying hand and made of a fourishing
quarter almost horrid plague spot AS
fast as the local relief committee could be
gathered, q conference was held in the Oil
Exchange, including. besides the Governor
Messrs. Dude and Blankenburg, of the Re-
lief Committee of Philadelphia, General
Wiley and the subcommittee of the relief
from Pittsburg, Messrs. Heard, Eaton and
Vandergrift.
The Governors council lasted two hours
when the entire plan OF relief was unfolded
to him. The Governor commended the
committee for its work, declared his reali-
zation of the enormity of the horror, and
asserting his belief that 500, 900 for instant
relief was q most conservative estimate, he
presented $50, 900 as an earnest of greater
contributions to come.
The local committee feels unbounded
their methods met with from Governor
Pattison, and express the utmost confidence
in his assurance and proofs of friendship.
After the meeting in the Oil Exchange, the
Governor dined at the Brunswick and at
o'clock left Tltusville tor Oil City.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-08

O'Leary, age q years; Mrs. O'Leary, age
70 years; Edward Heating, age so years;
Bartholomew Lyons, age IA wears; Daniel
Sullivan, age 4S yesrs; William Hassen-
fritz, age 1S years; Thomas Burns, age 25
years.
Those buried elsewhere were: H. W.
Shafer, Franklin; Charles Miller, Lancas-
ter; E. V. R Planke, Carthage, N. Y; ].
w. Bristol, st. GATHERINGS, Canada; H. D.
Dougherty, Kittanning; Eugene Fritz,
Meadville.
Individual scenes at the twin cemeteries
were of such numerous occurrence that it
would require volumes to tell of them A
number Of ladies and young girls tainted. and
one poor woman with the terrible imprint of
woe almost indellibly impressed upon her
drawn features, threw herself upon the
coffin wherein some loved one reposed, and
was only taken away with difficulty.
WILL D. WEST
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-08
RELIEF POURING IN.

Thirty.Seven Thousand Dollars Already In
the Hands of the Committees.
OIL CITY, June THE relief and com.
missary corps of Oil City are rapidly
making way for an opening to more than
ordinary glory. Every hour to-day they
received from one to three cartloads of m
terial for the destitute. Cash contributions
are also pouring in. The Standard Oil
Company has subscribed S25, 900, which is
to be divided between Oil City and Titus
vile and the intervening districts
Rudolph Blankenburg brought $4,000
from Philadelphia. which is to be divided
between the Oil City and Titusville citi-
zens. Late this evening Charles w. Gard
ner and W. j. Akers, committee of two
from Cleveland, arrived in Pittsburg.
They have in charge s., 800. In Titusville
they LETT 81 500 and in Oil City they left the
balance of 81, 900.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-08
AUTHENTIC LIST OF LOSSES, /,

Estimates Of Nearly a Million Dollars Now
| Known to Have Been Destroyed-Prop-
erty Damaged in Various Districts Near
and in OIL City
OIL CITY, june 7.-[Speeial.l 1.-The fol-
| lowing is the only authentic and complete
list of losses which has been compiled:
Seneca street, west side-F. A. steck, No
| 43S; q. p. Drumm, No. 434: A. Hassenfritz,
No 432: Mrs E: Lynch. Nos: 42s and 4sO: Will
NJ. Grove. No; 424: ". s; Wick, No, 42o; Els
Kramer, Nos $50 and 4O9 James McGuigan,
NO. 3s6; W. Smith, No. 1872: L. Roess, No. $780,
Shanahan, No. s74; estimated loss, $4,000
Scnaca street, east sfde-C c. Kramer, No.
42s; Thomas Wright, No. Al: 8. W. Terwilli-
ger, No ~ a2s: Mrs; "; n Monks No 4; 42l; william
Clark. No. 4l5 N. Kirshner, No. 4l3: C. Wurs-
ster, No. All: estimated loss, s25,0C0 Oil City
Tube Works. $1OO, ,00o estimated loss, $4,000;
$925, ,OCo.
stephens street.. z. Kramer & Co., J.
Wagner, Con Breen. James Downing, Mrs.
J. Hines. John Hart James Fahey, John
O'Leary, Will Curtis, George p. Benton, es-
timated loss, $4,000.
Standard street-$l0000. Total, 1000
Third ward-Unised Lumber and Coal
Company. mill and lumber, 10000: Chau-
tauqua Lake Ice Company, ice houses,
$4,000; william Diebofd, house. ETC.,
$1,000; Petroleum House. furniture,
etc, and W. II. Loot's store. $50 900: T. H. Nc
Hale. general store. $500: Hall & Steinke.
store, 81 900: James McHale. three houses,
furniture and clothing, $4,000: George
Thomas. shoe shor, 5000; E. D. Fitzpatrick,
blacksmith shop, 50 900: E. Fitzpatrick,
blacksmith shop, sl4CO. Midas Oil Company,
rhree-story frame, $1,000; W. j. Pollock, furnf-
ture, etc. 500: Reinbold carriage repository.
Myers & Heasley, blacksmith shop: Leslie
| harness shop, $1,000 William Daubenspeck,
house and store, 81 900; Lizzie Anderson,
dressmaking: Patrick Ready. SIG 900; Chris
Roess, house, 81, ,0CO: Midas OIL Company,
two-story house, l,600; Fleischman's tailor
shop and Gertie Foster. 81, 500: r. d. Naylor,
plumbing stock, 81 900; R. D. Naylor building
$1,000; George Sigman barber shop, 81, 900;
George Paul & Sons furniture stock, $50, COG;
loss, $17l, 800.
Up the neutrality-suspicious. Refinery, loss,
| s26, 600, insurance, SIS, 900; Pennsylvania Re.
ance, $e7,5OO. Valley Refining Company
iron tank. 81 600, no insurance; Nabbs cooper
shop, q, 500, insurance $500: Crystal Refining
Company. damages $500; keystone Refining
Company, benzine tanks, IS 900; Continental
Refining Company, flood damages, $1,000;
total loss, $79, GOO.
Miscellan neous-L. Debolt, house. 81 500; g.
Y. Ramage, tanks and oil, 500: damage to
local oil lines, 500; Fred NJ. Chambers,
wagons, harness. ETC.. and damage to stock,
$400; Dr. c. W. Coulter phaeton, harness and
sleigh, $500: John Low, house on Seneca street.
$500; furniture, money. personal property
etc, $3.50. E. A. Wilson & Co., pianos
ETC., and wagons, 81, COO. Total, $l77, 400.
Total estimated loss now known, s72s, 300
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-08

ually wearing off, and, like the victims of
Johnstown, it may be weeks before their
losses are fully realized.
The scenes at the ruins on North Seneca
street were to-day more pathetic, possibly,
than at any time since the catastrophe. Sur
viving relatives and friends were early on
the scene, and while breathing the purest
atmosphere of heaven and enveloped in the
clearest sunlight. groped among the black
ened timbers for mementoes of the loved
ones who had so recently been with them.
The contrast between Sunday morning and
to-day could not have been greater Zephyrs
soft as an infants breath were waited up
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-08
This is Willie Lyons. of Oil City, died

'This is Willie Lyons. of Oil City, died
June 6, 1892
When his house took fire and the flames
drove him from the dwelling he was seen to
clasp his wife and son in his arms and leap
into the fre-capped waters. He was ter
ribly burned about the face and soon died.
His body with that of his wife clasped in
his arms was found lying in corner of the
yard not 20 feet from the foundations of the
house. Ten feet away the boy was found.
Tears Fell on the Crumpled Lines.
The clothing was removed from the bodies
without being examined and was sent to
the residence of C. j. McInerny. where two
daughters of the deceased, Kate and Mary,
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-08
RELICS OF THE RUIN.
Crowds Flock to the Stricken
District to View the
Fatal Spot.
MESSAGES FROM THE DEAD
Find Their Way to the Grief Stricken
Surviving Relatives.
STILL SEARCHING FOR THE LOST.
How Some of the Oil City People Man
aged to Save Themselves
MESSAGES FROM THE DEAD
STILL SEARCHING FOR THE LOST.
FEARFUL SCENES In A MOURNING TOWN
IFRoM STAFF CORRESPONDENT. J

TFRoM STAFF CORRESPONDENT
OIL CITY. June 7.-Emblems of mourn.
ing cover the houses, the public buildings
and business houses of this place to-day.
The people are mourning their dead. All
stores, banks, saloons, schools and Offices
were closed to-day. No one thought OF
business. Only for the crowds of strangers
who filled the streets the day had the ap-
pearance of a Sabbath. The air of solemnity
which pervades the place was intensified
very hour by long funeral corteges vending
their way to lay away the blackened or
charred remains of some victim of the ele-
ments Hundreds of curious people from
all the countryside have been pouring into
the city all day.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-08
SIXTY-ONE DEAD VICTIMS.

Twenty-Seven Buried at Titusvilie, the
Others to BE Inferred To-Day-Many
of the Missing Supposed to Be Floating
Down tho River.
TITUsvILLE, June 7.-Sixty-one dead
bodies have been recovered up to this time,
and number are still missing and being
searched for Some bodies have been
picked up below in the creek.
There were q intermepts to-day and the
other bodies will be buried tomorrow. It
was reported late this evening that Is
bodies had been found at Miller's farm,
seven miles below here, but the report has
not yet been verified.
There is no question that number of
bodies are floating down the river or are
lodged somewhere in the timber which is
piled high up along the river bank and on
small islands which have been formed by
the course of the creek having diverted.
The search for bodies can only be prose-
cuted by daylight, as tpe electric light
plant has been so badl = damaged that it
cannot be repaired for days to come.