Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1892-06-09
FLOOD AND FIRE.
Another Pennsylvania Horror
Caused by a Delugo.
Tho Waters sweep Away the OH Tanks
The Floating Petroleum Takos Fire
oil City Destroyed with Awful
Loss of Life.

PITTsDuRGu, Pa, june 0.-The oil
regions of Pennsylvania were visited
yesterday by a disaster OF fro and
water that is only eclipsed in tho history
of this country by the memorable flood
at Johnstown just three years ago.
1t is impossible at this hour, mid
night, to give anything like an accurate
idea of the loss of life and property, as
chaos rcigns throughout the devastated
region and terrible conhagration still
RACES in Oil City.
1t Is safe to say that not less than 100
lives have been lost.
Nearly 100 bodies have already been
recovered and many people arc still
missing.
Tho property loss win reach far into
millions. At Titusvill tho loss Is esti-
mated at 81, 500, 900, Oil City 81 500, 900
Cory 500, coo, Meadyille $3.50. 900 aud
surrounding country probably 81, 900, 600
more.
For nearly n month it has been rain
ing throughout western and northern
Pennsylvania incessantly, and for the
past three or four days the downpour In
I
heavy. The constant rains had con-
verted all the small streams into raging
torrents 50 that when the cloudbursts
came yesterday morning the dams were
unable to withstand the shock and tho
streams were soon beyond their bound
aries, while tho great body of water
came sweeping down Oh creek to Titus
vile, which is eighteen miles south OF
its source.
The lower portion of the town was
soon inundated Tho food came so
quickly that the people had not time to
reach q place OF safety. Tho water
swiftly swept number OF oil tanks
down the stream and in some way not
known they were ignited
In less time than il takes TO tell the
story the flames spread to the surround
ing buildings and before they could be
subducd five bloclts had been burned
The oil from the scores of broken tanks
ran into the creek and was ignited by
the floating debris. In few minutes
the creek was ablaze from shore 10
shore, and rs it was carried down tho
stream death and destruction followed
In its wake. Everything inhammable
took fire, and by the timc II reached
Oil City all the bridges between the two
points were consumed Oil City Is
eighteen miles from Titusvllle Tho
towns along the creek are Bou2hton, |
Miller Farm, Pioneer, Petroleum, Cen
ter Rynd Farm, Rouseville and McClin-
rockville. Rouseville has about ZOO I
inhabitants aud the other towns about /
200 each.
AT Titusville the flood camo in tho !
night time and scores of sleeping m9
women and children walked 10
sciousness only to find death in
rushing waters or swift, sweep
flames When morning broke dark
and the red sun illumined with it.
crimson rays the flood and fame devas-
tated district, on the roofs aud In the
windows Of the upper stories Of tho
houses in the submerged districts
were seen men. women and chill
dren dressed mostly in their night
robes and all piteously appealing
for aid and succOr in voices which
could only now and then be dis
ttiiuguisncd above the loud rush Of tho
waters and crash of falling timberS
Clinging TO the driftwood timbers and
other debris, as they were borne on
ward down the stream, We're scores Of
human beings
At Oil City the devastation wrought
by flamo and flood II indescribable.
Great sections Of the city are In ashes
and only eharred timbers tell OF the lo-
cation Of hundreds Of happy homes.
How many lives have been lost there
no man can tell or even guess II Is
certain that the number will reach i5O
and It is probable that when the list of
the dead shall have been fully com
pleted it will be found 10 exceed 300. A
partial list is herewith given:
AT oil City: William Shafer Franklin John
Oh City; Matt Lyons. Charles Dn.
ley on City. Miss Minnie Russell, Pottsvine,
Pa Daniel Sullivan, engineer on City. James
Holmes, barber on City; Mrs William Briggs,
Oh City; Miss Emma Briggs on City, William
Moran, on city; q Mr.. Baker, book agent stop
ping az Exchange hotel Mr. John Roach and
son; Frank Watson, aged "a years, missing; Mr.,
Ealdn and two sons u. kopling, wife and
sons; WiclSs. Two sons Of Mr. Hassenfritz:
ia Heating, section boss. Oh City. Mr.. Ter
williger; Mr.. Baker, Sheridan Wick
Seriously injured: Louis Hazcnfrctz badly
burned and cannot recover; Five children,
badly bnrncd and two will die;
Mrs FennY and six children badly burned;
Mrs Hawks and daughter, burned one will
probably recover; William Atkin and his two
sons, Frank and Edward. Mrs Briggs and
three daughters; John O'Leary aud mother;
Mr.. and Mrs. Hawks aud daughter; Frank and
William Hasscnfritz Matthew Lyons wife and
two children; Frank Plank, William Shafer.
william Fergiviller James Rogers, James
Askins, William White, John Roach, Daniel
sullivan Frank Goodrich Edward Kentiug, /
Charles Miller, John Strck John I,imbo
Stewart William Stewart Harry
Holmes, William Malone Frank Watson Will
am Bafcr ". l. Daugherty, Frank Watson,
sheridan Wicls, Edward Nils and four chill
ircn; Mrs. Copeland and baby Mrs. Lcvi Fit
ers.
Al Titusville; John Quinn. mall carrier wife
md two children; jacob BerEenghamer snd
Fife and nine children; Mrs. Mary Haynes and
hrco daughters-Gcrtrude. Mary and Clara
md ono som Mrs. M Mex John MeFad- 4
len and sister, Mrs. Campbell, and two children;
dr Coppoei Fred Reid, butcher wife and child / 1
Iohn oMara and wife; two Vcigcl boys and
our more names unknown. Mrs C. Caspcnson-
The Weeks wheat Exports.
NEW YORK. June 6.-ENports Of
wheat land -four as wheat from both
casts of the United States this week,
IS reported TO Bradstreet's. equal 2, sci =
SO bushels, about Coz, coo bushels moro
han last week. due to increases from
he ports of New York and Baltimore, !
'ut only 100000 bushels more than in {
he like week of 1891. Montreal ex- I
'orted the equivalent Of SOC. 900 bushels
# wheat, not included in the foregoing ,
)fiicial figures indicate n probable total :
# exports this cereal year Of 22s .ouu. .u0O !
,ushels of wheat and -four as wheat.
bout az, ,O00. 600 bushels more than ever
'efore in like period.
Wrecked BY a Broken RAN.
HASTINGS, Ncb.. June 6.-The east
'ound passenger on the Chicago. Bur
ington q Quincy railroad was wrecked
" broken rail near Indianola. Neb., |
yesterday morning
The passengers miraculously escaped 1
With bad shaking up. only one person.
:. Eldridge, Of Denver. Col, having his G
houlder dislocated. S