The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1892-06-08
WHIRLPOOL Of DEATH
TITUSVILLE AND OIL
CITY DEVASTATED
BY Water, Burning Oil and
Fearful Gases.
CLOUD BURST AT HEAD OF OIL
CREEK.
Hundreds Perish. and Many Hundreds
More Missing.
Hundreds Perish and Many Hundreds
More Missing.

proxmated, so great and widespread has
been the ruin.
At 1880 o clock Sunday morning n large
proportion of the population was enjoying
the beautiful Sunday morning along the
banks and bridges of the Allegheny river
and Oil Creek, which empties into that
stream. The cause Of this unusual ont.
pouring Of the population was curiosity
10 see the rapid rise in both the creek and
the river
Word had reached here early in the morn.
ing that heavy cloud burst had occurred
at spartansburg above Ttusville, and that
a great food, sweeping down upon that
city, hod drowned many, But few details
had been heard here at the time mentioned
---il:30-yet hundreds lined the banks of
the two streams, jus; where the two streams
Joined
Suddenly the older heads in the crowds
noticed thin covering of oil floating on the
surface of the water, while at the same time
an ominous wave Of gas arizing from the
crude, refined and distilled benzine floating
down, swept up from the flood, and began
to permeate the whole valley.
stand back, stand backm shouted n
commanding voice, and the people slowly
and unwillingly began TO retreat from
bridge and bank. They we're very slow
too slow-for the volume Of oil began swell
ing and rolling, while waves of the subtle
gas began coming, almost strangling those
near by.
Just then man on horseback pushed his
way through the crowds waving his hands
and repeating in voice of thunder, stand
back" II was known that the reiineries
lining the banks for miles had been wreck
ed, and with a presentiment Of evil, with
one accord there was q dash for safety.
Presently, far up the stream came one
dull, sullen report and Immediately after
two more. Instantly the great crowds
realized that the oil had taken fire, but they
were an eternity gaining this knowledge,
rs compared to the lightning speed Of fire.
What followed is indelibly imprinted upon
the minds of every pancstrlCken spectator,
but no human tongue can picture the tran
scending horror Of the scene.
AT the upper end of the city, tiny
tongue of flame rushed from hovel ire ON
the banks and shot across the creek like
streak of lightning. A dull, booming ex-
plosion followed, and immediately the
flame flew up and down the creek. The sur
charged air was cleared of gas in an instant,
only 10 he filled with an element far more
fatal and horryfyng.
II seemed as II the very heavens had
burst into flame after the fist explosion
which then became a solid mass OF fame
along creek and river for two miles up and
down-a fire that rolled and beat against
bank and buildings and lowered high up I'M
I'll the very bills were lost TO sight in the
he'll of flame
Oil City is hemmed in on all sides by steep
hills, and it seemed as il none could escape
the furious element, which began catching
mp buildings along the creek like so many
wisps of straw. Thousands poured out Of
their homes at the sound Of the first explo-
sion, and had hardly gained the street when
the second and third reports were heard.
The entire valley was like one vast gas
reservoir. People were hurled about and
thrown down or tossed from side TO side by
the force Of the explosions. Windows
crashed and buildings swayed as if upheav.
than all was the midnight darkness that
covered the city like funeral pail.
This intense blackness lasted but q few
seconds when II was replaced by glaring
light and the hea' of the burning gas and
oil, when again lowering cloud settled over
the valley from the black waves Of smoke.
These terrifying transitions from light to
darkness and intense heat occurred in scarce
ly moment Of time but il seemed an eter-
nifty TO the people, whu believed that their
last day had come. Thousands prostrated
themselves or were hurled TO the ground,
while thousands struggled bravely against
the elements towards home and kindred,
that they might die together.
The next instant they were prostrated by
. second explosion, only TO rise to their feet
again and face what all considered their
doom. Huge waves of flame rolled up the
river banks and began licking up one house
after another. The flames began Tapping
from one roof TO another, then from scores
to hundreds, until within three minutes
almost the entire portion Of the Third ward
was in flames
Fully 5000 people lived in that ward or
were lining the banks Of the river and creek
at the time and after the first dull stupor a
scene of madness followed. Men forgot
who and what they were and fought down
the weaker like demons in their mad rush
for safety. Women and children were
swept to the ground and trampled under
foot by horses and men.
. ITO the hills, TO the hills" was the cry.
The insane wave of shrieking humanity
started up, Center street leaving the moan
ing, mangled forms Of many of the weaker
W ere they bad been trampled in the dirt,
Behind them came the flames in great
waves that overlook many fnltering foot.
steps, while the blistering heat grew fercer
every moment with the added fuel of hund-
reds of houses.
Then behind this maddened crowd came
Q few brave men, who lenderly picked up
those trampled under foot or assisted sick
and helpless TO higher ground, once that
was reached In safety. came anxiety for
friends and relatives who had been along
the river banks watching the flood when
the mass OF fire and .moke fell upon the
city.
THr DEAD AND MISSING.
AT il o'clock tonight the list Of those
known 10 be dead or missing is as follows.
John U Weary, express messenger, and
mother, burned; Willis Stewart, burned; Il.
v. r. Plank, burned; Matt Lyon, eInploye
of railroad shops, wife. daughter aged 70.
and boy aged ~ burned; sherd Wick, lum-.
ber merchant missing; ii. w. shaier, of
Franklin, postal telegraph operator; j. b.
Reilbold, member Of Select Council and
proprietor Bellevue Hotel, burned; James
Rogers, laborer, drowned; James Holmes, ~
jamestown, barber, burned; Frank Good
Rob, electrician, burned William Eskin,
carpenter, and two grown sons, Frank and
Edward, burned; Charles Miller, machinist
burned Daniel Sullivan, burned; Ed. Keat.