Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-06-06


hye strong men perish together. Hold
ing 10 piece of timber they were
struggling to make the shore, and just
as they Reached out % grasp the bank
a neighboring OIL tank exploded, the
river of burning oil envelopInE the
men, Death came almost instantly
Aboat midnight the historical OIL
creek began suddenly to rise. Heavy
and almost incessant rains have been
prevalent throughout this entire sec
ton for the past six weeks Tbs, how
ever, does not seem 10 have been the
cause of the sudden rise IN OGi creek,
al.hought al first IL Was thought 10 be
the cause. Late reports say that the
huge mill dam, owned by Thompson
Il Eidred. located at the little town OF
SpartansblIrg. seven miles above this
city, suddenly burst TINS ARTIFICIAL
body or water Is one and one-half
miles in length and one-fourth OF a
mile wide and quite deep. This great
body of water, thus suddenly let loose,
made of this devoted valley In the
course of few brief moments regu-
lar inland sea. Tals sudden ava
iauche of water. descending when
most of the inhabitants were sleeping,
completely and At once shut them OH
from the higher portion OF the cltv.
Notwithstanding this state of affairs the
danger 10 the city Was underrated, no
one having the slightest idea that the
flood, dangerous as II was, was To be
soon augmented by fire.
Eire Added to the Horror.
This, however, was true fox at 2
o'clock this morning, Immediately fol-
f<ss sAr re. NIL n
shook the city 10 its center, q great light
went up from the direction of the
Crescent refinery, located on the north
side of the creek IN the east end and
owned hy John Schwartz 4 TO. A
second look showed the entire plant To
he vast sneet of solid flames, the light
from winch illuminated u full half
mile OF surrounding blackness and
showed To the assembled ana horriiied
SPECTATORS the full extent of the great
calamity thst had befailen their beautl-
ful city. The tongues OF flame shooting
200 feet aud more straight into the
heavens, the shrieks and agonlzlng
lies of helpless human beings Gagged in
their dwellings like rats In a trap, IN the
middle OF that rushing and mighty
water, and within the very shadow of
death from burning OIL, benzlne and
naptha that threatened at any time to
engulf them. the shrlll whistllng OF II
hundred and one steam whistles, the
iangle of the fire bell. the clatter of the
steamers, hose carts and hook and lad
der trucks, the crackle, roar, rush and
rumble of the huge body of water and
sky piercing flames, all went TO strike
terror To the strongest heart. The peo-
hoc 10 es<r v>ls 10
of danger, IN many cases rushed pell
injured by being knocked down and
trampled ON.
An APPALLING Picture.
OIL creek is now swollen to 500 times
its natural size, and reaching from one
hillside to the other presents an apall-
ing picture. Floating swiftly by onits
bosom are all sorts, manners and
kinds OF animate and inanimate OBJ
lects, tanks. stills with the steam in
them blowing off, houses, barns,
chicken coops, everything almost be-
ing borne onward with q rush. Cling
ing to various objects, such as drift
wood, pieces OF boards, windowsand any
other objects they could lay hands on,
were scores of human beings, their
white and terror or-stricken countenances,
desperate struggles and plsintlve soul.
piercing cries Ter ard all combining to
create impressions in the mind never
to be forgotten. Several refineries are
now on fire and blazing fiercely, and 1T
| IS feared more explosions will follow.
Turned Into Morgues
The undertaking establishments OF
| Davidson and McNItt have been turned
into temporary morgues. With the
exception of the bodies of seven He.
brews and two children, all of the bod.
les 80 far recovered have been taken
there as fast as they are brought from
the water. Most OF the bodies bear evi.
| dence of having met death from burn
ing oil. Many of the bodies are burned
Almost beyond recognition. and several
| i'm such terrible manner as to leave
the bodies nothing but blackened crisps
entirely without the least semblauce oI
| the human form. The lost now ac-
tualiy found and known TO be dead i:
as follows:
William Cuppey.
Fred Reide.
Mrs. Mary Haeyn.
Mamie Haeyn.
GIrtIa fIaeyn.
Clara Haeyn.
Peter Hseyn.
Mrs. Fred Campbell and two chill
dren.
Oliver Edgar.
Joseph Spiegler and two children,
visiting here from Warren.
Frank Wnaion, wife and child.
+. Lemeres.
Nellie Quinn.
Mrs. Furnam and daughter (colored) J.
Mrs. A. Jacobs.
Della Rice.
Mrs. EngliSky and child.
| Mrs. Jacobs and child.
A picture frame peddler. name un.
! known.
Mrs. Jacob BingenshelGler and seven
| children.
Mrs c. 7. Cssperson.
Mrs. 4. Quinn.
Name ;. Quinn.
4 John VI. McFsdden.
I 1t Is impossible IN give an estimate a!
To- the number missing. tt runs INTO
/ the hundreds and without doubt full
/ double the number enumerated above
| will be- found dead. Tue night is dark
and rainy yet the streets are filled
with people.
| OIL CRY TERRoRfzED.
The catizens Trsnshxed With Horrof a
| the Holocaust.
on. CRY, PA, June 5.-Flood and