Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-06-06
I'd EDITION.
A VALLEY OF DEATH.
Ruin Wrought by Fire and Flood on
Oil Greek.
SOME MEN WHO BECAME HEROES
Execution of Murderer Mcmillan at
WiIkesbane.
some MEN Who BECAME HEROES.
OTHER TELEGRAPHIC NEWS
RUIN IN THE OIL REGIONS.
Counting Up the Loss Of Life and Propert,
in Yesterdays Disaster.


Counting Up the Los. Of Life and Property
in Yesterdays Disaster.
On CRY, Pa. June 6.-Few Of the spectators
who were watching the 10 cd when the explo-
sions occurred and who escaped can give good
idea of what happened. All agree that there
was terrific explosion and that the airwls
filed with flames. This was quickly followed
by two other explosions. Men thought that
hell had broken loose on earth, and they were
not apparently very far out Of the way. Three
gasoline tanks had exploded almost at the same
time. The oil on the creek blazed up. gas in
the air burst into roaring flame and sheets Of
water, land and air were all literally ablaze.
Men. women and children we're knocked pros
trate by the shock. and many never arose. The
multitude fed with screams of anguish for the
higher ground. In the rush many of the weak
were trampled upon and badly injured. Some
were hurt by horses; others ran, leaped into the
water and we're drowned.
The flames in the air quickly burned out. but
they left huge volumes of black smoke across
the face of the heavens, beneath which roared
the fierce fire of the burning oil upon the water.
The many submerged honses and shops along
the creek bottom we're soon in flames, and the
silent fire Of blazing gas was succeeded by the
cracking flames Of burning homes. In many
of these houses the people were confined.
They could not escape for the fire. Within the
slSut OI tuOusAuus WHO uehru tuelT pittOub
screams they burned to death or lesped into the
river and there persisted by both food and fire.
Such a combination scene of destruction by
two terrible elements were seldom witnessed
upon this earth. 1t is marvellous that from this
valley of death any were saved alive. 1t is
strange that out Of this mingling Of fire and
Hood any houses were spared.
HARRY M'vEAoH's STORY.
The story told by Harry Mcveagh, member
Of rescuing party who saved dozen lives.
surpasses in horror many of those related by
persons who worked only in bringing corpses
out of ruins, and his words indicate that he be-
lieves many of those saved alive would be better
with the dead. They are SO horribly wounded
and burned. He with Wade Hulings, W. Couch
and Albert Smith rowed about the creek in q
skiff after the fire had died off its surface and.
reaching the foot bridge crossing at the head
of Seneca creek. they found eleven burned per-
sons clinging to anything they could catch hold
of in last desperate struggle for life.
Their condition was horrible, said McVeagh;
81 wish that l could close my eyes and shut out
the sight. Their clothing was burned off their
bodies. their hair was singed and some of them
had their eyes burhed out, vet few Of them.
believe, will live" and the brave fellow bresthed
a sigh if he regarded their living as a misfor-
tune to themselves.
They chung piteousy to us as we took them
from the bridge into our boats, and the cries
they sent up were the most pitiful that ever
reached my ears. There were seven men and
four women and the appearance Of the latter
was particularly distrscting. We have cared
for them the best We can. but God pity them, !"
and Mcyeagh turned away and stared at brick
wall as if it shut out the horrible sight be had
witnessed.
HERO WHO GAVE HIS LIFE.
One Of the heroes who gave his life for that
Of others was VIM. l.. Stewart of Siverlyville. a
small village about a mile up Oil creek. When
the disaster occurred Stewart ran to his home
in Siverlyville and dragged boat to the water 8
edge. He braved the death that moved ON the
waters and was one of those who helped to save
the west side victims. For an hour he helped
to drag people out of the houses on the bank of
Oil creek and bore them in his boat to safety.
A great wave Of naptha approached over Stew
arts head house cracked and in an instant he
was engulfed in a mass OF mortar, oil and
flames. From below the river stretched out a
hundred tongues, from above came a shower of
timbers and plaster. Stewart was killed out
right. He died at his post almost in the very
act of snatching lives from the raging elements.
His body was fearfully battered and burned.
He leaves a wife and two children.
TIMELY WARMING.
John s. Klein, superintendent of the National
Transit Company's shops, was instrumental in
saving many lives by a timely warning. He
was near the tunnel on the Lake SnOre road
when the pungent odor of the benzine borne on
the breeze attracted his attention. Knowing
that some accident must have happened up
stream or that volume of oil was flowing down
the creek. he recognized at once the fearful
result that would ensue if it should catch fire.
Put out your fires and run for your lives. "
he shouted. running with all the speed he could
muster from house to house. Many took warn
ing and fed to the shelter Of the hills. But he
had not gone far before fash as il from some
huge thunderbolt. illuminated the valley and in
an instant wall of fame arose from the creek
enveloping everything within the compass of
the rushing waters in its awful grasp.
SAD SCENES AT TIrUsvILLE
TITusvILLE, Pa, June 6.-Never in the his
tory Of Titusville has such q scene Of destruc-
ton presented itself as was unfolded to the
gaze this morning as the Associated Press rep
resentative entered the main thoroughfare. The
first sight witnessed was four men carrying the
dead body of a man on stretcher. Within
fifteen minutes the sight became so common
that it ceased to occasion any surprise. At the
present writing it is estimated that fully 100
persons have been either drowned or burned to
death. The money loss will run from 81 SOC, 900
to 50 000,0 600.
An idea of the amount of the territory COW
cred by the flood and fire can be obtained when
II is stated that over two miles were DESTROYED
This includes railroads, factories, refneries,
private dwellings, &c.
REVISED LIST OF DEAD.
As near as can be ascertained the following is
the list of dead bodies recovered, well a. the
names Of the missing:
Fred Reid, butcher. Mrs. Mary Haehn and
children, Mamie, Gertie, Peter and Clara. The
only surviving member of the family was Frank
Haehn, son, who was broubht from Grand
Valley with his uncle yesterday. Mrs. Fred
70 hall nd fVxrn ohsl Mr. hall -
at Lakewood and was summoned by telephone,
but could not reach here. Oliver Edger, boy
Two children Of Joe Speigel, visitors from
Warren. Frank Whalen, wife and daughter,
who escaped with several severe burns. saw
them drowned. Mrs. John Quinn and two
daughters, Nellie and Mamie. Mrs. Furman,
colored. Mrs. A. Jacobs and child. Miss Della
Rice. Mr.. Englesky and son. Man, unknown;
occupation, picture frame pedler. Mrs. J.
Bingeheimer and seven children. One child,
who was at the time away from home. survives
Fred Luers and wife are known to be among
the dead