Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-06-06

fIIISBUhd, 49, ouHo u ho VII
regions of Pennsylvania were visited to-
day by disaster OF fire and water that
is only eclipsSd in the history OF this
country by the memorable food at
Johnstown, just three years ago.
1t is impossible at this hour-mid-
night-to give anything like an accU-
rate idea of the loss OF life and property
as chaos reigns throughout the devas-
tated region and a terrible confiagra-
tian still RACES in Oil City. 1t is safe to
say that not less than $50 lives have
been lost. Nearly 100 bodies have al
ready been recovered and many people
are still missing.
The number may far exceed $50, but
this Is regarded as conservative est-
mate.
The property loss will reach far into
the millions. At Titusville, the loss is
estimated at 81, 800, 900; Oil City, l,5OO,-
600; Cory, 500, 900; Meadville, S15o,0Oo'
and surrounding country probably
million more.
For nearly a month it has been rain
ing throughout western and northern
Pennsylvania, almost incessantly, and
for the past three or four days the down.
pour in the devastated regions has been
very heavy. The constant rains had con-
verted all the small streams into raging
torrents so that when the cloud burst
came this morning the streams were
soon beyond their boundaries and the
great body OF water came sweeping
down Oil Creek to Titusville, which is
IS miles south of its source. The lower
portion Of the town was soon inun-
dated.
The food came so quickly that the
people had not time to reach place Of
safety. The water soon swept a number
OF oil tanks down the stream, and In
some way not known they were ignIted.
In less time than 1t takes TO tell the
story, the flames spread 10 the sur
rounding buildings and before they
could be subdued Eve blocks had been
burned. The oil from the scores OF
broken tanks ran into the creek and
was ignlted by floating debris In a
few minutes the creek was
ABLAzE FROM SHORE TO SHORE,
and as It was carried down the stream
death and destl uction followed in its
wake. Everything inHammable took
fire, and by the time 1t reached Oil City
all the bridges between the two points
were consumed. OIL City is eighteen
miles from TItusville. The towns
along the creek are HoughtoD, Mlller's
Farm, Pioneer. Petroleum Centre, Rynd
Farm, Housewife and McClintockville.
RouseyilIe has about 1000 inhabitants
and the other towns about 200 each.
oil Creek flows through q narrow gorge
all the way, and as the towns are situ-
ated mostly on the hills, 1t is hoped
there was no loss OF life.
Communication has been cut Of from
these places, however, and nothing Is
definitely known.
Immediately on receipt OF the intel
ligence OF the disaster, Lieutenant
Colonel w. c. Connolly, Jr., Of the Gov
ernor's staff, notified Governor Robert
E. Pattison. He received the following
reply from the Governor: "Put yourself
in communication with the authorities
and send further particulars"
In accordance with this Lieutenant
Connolly at once sent the following tel
egram to the Mayer Of on City, Titus
vile and MeadviIle: "His EXcellency
Robert E. Pattison, Governor Of Penn
sylvania, has requested me TO put my
self In communication with you. Please
let me know the exact condition OF af-
frirs at once, so that can report 70 him
at the earlies. possible moment"