Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-06-07


excitement and narrowing scenes has
closed here, and thousands who have
been seeking for the dead and aiding
the suffering have gone to rest, but not
all, however, for all along the burned
sections can be seen groups OF persons
still hunting for their loved ones.
They do not seem to weary or despair,
but dig into the accumulated filth and
rubbish with bare and bleeding hands;
many of them have not ceased for q
moment In the search for the dead to
take food or sleep. The unwearied are
continuing in their task. For many OF
them the work will be without result
for it is now certain many OF the bodies
have been either burned to cin6ers or
swept into the food and away.
The banks along the creek ere caving
In and many victim has gone to his
last resting place unattended by mourn
ing friends and with no ceremonies.
At late hour tonight, sxty-seven
bodies have been taken from the ruins
and this practically ends the work Of
the searchers till tomorrow. Those,
who are acquainted with the locality
where the greatest damage was done,
say the loss of life must reach at least
$50 and many put the figures at 200.
The number of bodies recovered gives no
fair estimate Of the number lost. The
section where this loss Of life is great
est was largely occupied by foreigners,
employed in the tube WORKS. No one
knows their names and it will be impos-
sible to ever learn just how many are
missing, in this section, also, were a
vast number Of children, or as one citi-
zen puts 1t, there w9re swarms Of them.
OF all the bodies recovered only ten
were children ard the great question is,
what has become of the rest Of the
children.
Unbounded gratitude is felt and ex-
pressed by the relief committee here
over the unsolicited and generous sub
scriptions and offers Of aid from out
side persons. Tonight the committee
has in hands over Sl2, 900, and the an
swers to inquiries received to-day will
tomorrow swell the subscriptions to
double this sum. Already there have
been requests for aid from three hun
dred, and this number is surely being
sweled.
This by no means represents the total
number OF sufferers, as many Of. them
have friends here who have provided
for them.
The tales OF heroic struggles for life
will never cease TO be told, and every
person one meets has q thrilling story
TO tell. While all alike in most respects,
each has some distinctive feature which
makes it worthy of honorable mention.
Were each mentioned, however, space
could not be found to contain them.
Among the cities which have sent
subscriptions or made inquiries relative
thereto are PittSburg, New York, Bos-
ton, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Rochester,
jamestown, Syracuse, Albany, Harris
burg, Altoona, Erie, Cleveland, Colnm-
bus, Chicago, Cincinnati, Minneapolis,
st. Louis, San Francisco, Denver, Bal
timore and Washington. The question
of insurance is most serious one, and
adjusters are already on the ground.
The total insurance is about $780,
Little Willie Ash, the eight-year-old
son Of Mr.. Isaac Ash, the venerable
City Solicitor of Oil City, is probably
the bravest little hero OF this awful
calamity. Yesterday morning, Willie
and his father were walking along Seue-
ca street in the vicinity Of Center street
bridge. AS they reached that crowded
thoroughfare the first explosion OF the
series that laid waste to so much OF this
town, rent the air, and the terror strick-
en- people started for the hillside to es-
cape the wrath OF food and fire.
Mr.. Ash and his boy were jostled
about in the throng of half crazed men,
women and children. The City Solicitor
and his boy joined in the rush and were
soon being half carried, half dragged
toward the upper hills. As they passed
Seneca street, Mr.. Ash stopped down to
pick his boy up and carry him to a
place of safety. but Willie possessed
sounder judgment than his gray-headed
father.
81 can walk as well as you papa"
he said. ''and II you carry me, we both
may die" A few PAGES ahead the faith
er and the son stopped an instant to
look back and the little fellow spoke
again, s'if could die papa he said,
.'then you could save yourself" The
bic tears welled up in the fathers eyes.
but through the mist he saw that the
death dealing fire had taken another
course sweeping westward. The old
man and his boy were not In It's path
and were able TO reach their home IN
safety. Mr.. Ash felt prouder than
ever OF his boy to-day and In relating
the story his eyes moistened and his
voice faltered-
The curiosity seekers have ssdy