The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-06-22

bridges Of the Allegheny River and Oll
Creek watching the rise OF the food in both
streams, the chief cause Of the rise OF the
latter being due to the clou dburst above
Titusville, which resulted in the loss or
many lives in that city.
AT Cne Hme mentloned an omluouS cover-
ing of oil made its appearance on the crest
OF the food pouring down the Oil Creek
Valley, and the dangerous foreboding waves
of gas from disthlate and benzine could be
seen above the surface of the stream, which,
at the bridge, is about 10l yards wide. Peo-
pie began slowly to fail back from the
bridge aud the creek.
Hardly had they begun to do so when an
explosion was heard up ths stream, which
was rapidly followed by two others. and
quick as fash of lightning the creek for
full mass OF roaring flames and billows Of
smoke that rolled high above the creek and
river hills.
Oil City is bounded on all sides by steep
hills Oil Creek comes down the valley from
the north, and just before its junction here
with the Allegheny is crossed by bridge to
the portion of the city embracei in
the Third Ward, which lies along the
west bank Of the creek and the north
of the town was on fire within three min
utes from tn time Of the explosion, and at
the time this dispatch was sent no one knew
how many OF the inhabitants were lying
dead in the ruins Of their homes.
An eye witness at the time Of the first ex-
ploson stood at tae east end of the bridge.
Almost as quickly as the words can be writ
ten fully 5000 persons in that portion Of the
town were on the streets, wild with terror.
rushing to the hills. Men forgot that they
were men, and scores Of men, women, and
children wers knocked down and trampled
upon both by horses and parsons in the mad
fight for safety.
Just as this frantic throny had started up
Centre street a second explosion occurred,
knocking many people down, shattering the
windows in the main part of the town, and
almost Transforming the day to night with
an immense covering Of smoke. Hundreds
thought the day Of judgment had come, and
many prayers were heard mingled with
means and lamentations. The heat was in
tense, and the awful spectacle presented to
the panic stricken people was that Of cloud
burst of fire, bordered aud overcapped by a
great canopy Of dense black smoke.
It was no wonder that psople wept and
tainted, leaving everything behind them,
and ran or were helped to the hills. And
after they were out Of danger, and even
before it. came the anxiety and suspense
regarding relatives and friends who
had been along the creek watch.
ing the flood when the avalanche Of
flame came. The food in the Oil Creek
Valley had Inundated the upper portion Of
the town, flooding from fifty to ssventy.ive
houses on North Seneca street. Most Of the
inmates reached places of safety by the use
of boats or by swimming and wading, but
SONS Of them were yet in the upper stories
or in the water when the fire came, and
their fats was quickly sealed. Some OF
them were seen to jump into the water to
escape death in the flames. From the
remnants of the only building remaining
in the waste after the flood was over three
persons were removed in q boat se-
verely burned, but alive, namely, Mrs. Hawk
and daughter and Mr.. Hassenfritz. The dis
tillats and benzine on the creek came from
a tank lifted by the food, and is supposed
to have been ignited by spark from an
engine on the Lake Shore road, just above
the tunnel at the northern part Of the city.
The fire shot up the creek as we'll as down,
and several tanks were set on fire up the
creek. The Bellevue Hotel, the Petroleum
House, the Oil City barrel factory, the new
building Of the Oil City tube works, the big
furniture and undertaking establishment an1 OF
G. Paul & Sons and probably 100 other
dwelling houses have been totally destroyed.
Meadville, Penn, was swept by the worst
food in its history. A midday rain OF great
volume swelled every stream bank full and
the storm which followed in the evening
brought the fool. In Meadville, Mill
Run overhowed its banks and swept
the whole business portion OF the
buildings and entaiing total loss OF $780,
900, of which $50, 900 IS to the streets. The
loss throughout the country cannot be esd-
mated now. Bridges were washed away In
every direction, leaving scarcely passable
roads in the country. The damage to grow
ing crops is heavy. =
The most destructive rainstorm that has
ever visited Cory, Penn, and vicinity be-
gan in the afternoon at 8 o'clock. 1t was like
heavy cloudburst, and by 9 o'clock the
business portion Of the town was under
water. The worst was reached at IL O'Clock,
when First avenue, Main street, the railroad
yards AMI Centre street were like roaring
feet deep, and all enptyiny into the flats in
the eastern portion Of the city.
Sidewalks are carried away and the roads
in places quilted from four to six feet deep.
Nearly every basement in the business part
Of the city was flooded and also many OF the
stores. The loss on stock to merchants Is
heavy. 1t is safe to say that the loss
throughout the city will reach $50, 0oO. The
storm was general throughout that. locality.
Inc properly loss VIII reacu LAT !uoo Cuo
millions. At Titusville the loss Is estimated
at 81, 800 900: Oil City, 81, 500, 900; Cory,
$50, ,OO0; Meadville. Sl5n, O00. and surround
ing country probably million more.
Or the devastated cities Titusville has 9
population Of 10, 900 aad Oil City II, 900. Oil
Greek rises in the north part OF Crawiord
County ana t1ows IN general souJherly
direction to Titusville, AMI from there
almost due north to the Allegheny
River at Oh City. just below Titusville
1t is Joined by East Oil or Pine Creek.
Between Tftusville and Oil City there
are nine little hamlets where oil wells have
baen sunk which have attained the dignity
have population Of about 1000. The eigh-
teen miles between Titusville and Oil City
probably represent a population Of from
40, 900 to $4,000.
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