The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1892-06-08
WORSE AND WORSE.
One Hundred Lives Lost in
TitusViIIe.
THE SCENE FROM THE SOUTH SIDE.

The spectators at the south end of Pc
troleum bridge were startled by a muf-
fled report as of an explosion, followed
in quick succession by at least four
others that seemed to effect earth and
air alike. The shocks accompanying
nearly took the people off their feet.
Then came wall of rolling clouds of
smoke and flame down Oil creek that in
a few seconds ascended in the air to a
height of hundreds of feet, taking its
direction with the current along the
river front of the Third Ward, shutting
out effectually from view the North and
West sides of the city.
The explosions were distinct and
seemed to cover a distance of about a
thousand feet apart, The appearance of
these clouds of smoke and flame differed
from that of the ordinary oil fire both in
extent and intensity Of heat, presenting
aphenomena rarely if ever before wit
messed. The air was hot and inflamma-
BILE to the highest degree, and the OBJ
server felt as if one was in the circle of
gases charged with the pungent odor of
of benzine and oil that was liable to
to hurl him into space at any moment.
Masses of
FLAMES SPREAD OVER WATERS
to the center of the river, setting fire to
almost everything combustabe along the
banks of the West Side. Then, what in
all probability was due to the east wind
prevailed, occurred the most phenomenal
incident of the day. AT about Lincoln
street, the heavy masses of smoke
and flame swept over, high above
the South Side and the hill,
leaving below it the hot air with haze
that shut off the space between First and
Front street from view l. .'IO opinion
of the writer this was a Providential
interposition. Had this mass of flame
and smoke, combined with the highly
infammable condition of the atmosphere,
struck the South Side at a lower level
nothing but blackened desolation would
have resulted. When the shocks oc-
Cured the congregations of the diff
ferent churches were on the way
to their homes. Like flash
came the cry, "Run to the hills and the
only hesitation doing this was on the
the part of those too weak from fright.
Men, women and children praying,
screaming as they ran and scrambling
along, presented
SCENE NEVER BEFORE WITNESSED.
Those who were in the houses left sud-
denly, caring only for the safety of their
lives from what appeared to be the final
Day of Judgement 1t was.late in the
evening before the scattered families
were gathered togethered again and re-
lieved the anxiety of many an agonized
heart No such sigh of awful grandeur
was ever presented to our people, and it
is hoped never will be again.
GENERAL RELIEF WORK.
A meeting of the Oil City Relief Ass
citation, in whose hands the direction of
the work has been put, met at O'Clock
this morning, at the Office of Noah +.
Clark and proceed with the arrange
ments for extending assistance and col
lecting funds for that purpose. For
each ward committee member AS APP
pointed at Sunday evenings meeting,
paper was drawn up TO be circulated for
subscriptions The Association decided
to assume the expense of fitting up a
temporary building in the Paul block,
ON Seneca street. The ladies represent
ing the Relief Association committees in
the several words held a meeting at $3.50
o'clock at the office of Geo. p. Hukill.
Each of the three members of the COM
mittee in each ward was appointed,
| with as many more of the ladies of the
city as will do so, 10 solicit supplies of all
kinds 10 he left at Relief headquarters,
No. $40 Centre street. Splendid work is
being done-the whole city to-day is
city of charity and sorrow. Many mes
sages making contributions and extend
ing coincidence Following are some of
the messages which have come to the
Relief headquarters:
FROM CAPTAIN vANDERGRIFT.
PITTSBURGH, Pa, June 9,
j, r. Campbell;
Your terrible disaster apalls me, and
can't give expression TO my feelings for
you. Please instruct Relief Committee
TO draw on me at once for $500.
j. J. VANDERGRIFT.
FROM }. l. BUCHANoN.
PITTSBURGH, Pa, June @.
j. r. Campbell:
Am dstres, ed for Oil City. Please con-
tribute 800 for me TO relief fund and
draw on me at once for same.
j. /. BUCHANAN.