Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-07
CRY FROM THE OIL CITIES.
Business Men Assemble at a Sum-
mons From Mayor Gourley.
SUBSCRIPTIONS COME RAPIDLY.
Relief Committee of Able Men Organized
at the Meeting.
HOUSE TO HOUSE CANVASS FOR AID

stands in good stead in the present calamity,
and on every hand there is springlng up an
organized, practical movement for the relief
OF the sufferers in the element-stricken dis
trict.
Meetings were held yesterday by numer-
Gus organizations and measures of relief
were adops-u. In the morning the Petro-
leum Exchange held special session and,
after appropriate resolutions, appointed a
committee to take subscriptions, which, at
the public meeting at City Hall in the
afternoon, reported that 81, 800 had already
been collected, one-half of which had been
forwarded for the Immediate needs of the
sufferers, the balance being at the disposal of
the Citizens Relief Committee.
The most important meeting of the day
was that in City Hall, summoned at the first
moment the horror OF the situation was ap-
preciated by Mayor Gourley
PittsburG's Business Interests Represented.
The Mayor himself called the meeting to
order, and, though it was not a particularly
large gathering, there being less than 200
present, it represented the flower of Pitts
burg's varied business interests, and every
man of them was full of sympathy and had
unlimited means at command to show it.
The Mayor after the formal cali to order
read the proclamation for the meeting and
said:
heard of this frightful disaster last night
at 8 o'clock from Mr.. William r. Thompson,
and after discussing the matter with him
called up THE DISPATCH by telephone.
questing that, ii the circumstances justified,
q proclamation should be called for this
meeting TO which my name should be
signed. Thanks TO that enterprising news
paper every paper in the city received no.
tice, and the proclamation was Published
broadcast. As to tile work before Us, all are
familiar with it. There is much to be done,
much suffering to be alieviated.
This morning placed myself in commu-
nication with James B. Scott who has been
in Geographic communication with the
business men of OIL City ana Titusville and
he will now read the kilograms he has re-
ceiyed.
Money the First G rcat Need.
Numerous kilograms were then read BY
Nh. Scott, showing that information of the
actual fatalities or loss of property was
meager up to that time, but money was
needed first of all While Mr. Scott was
talking the ticker of the National Transit
Company, which had been placed in the
room while the meeting was in progress,
received a message for Captain J. J. Van
dergrift, giving new details of the ruin and
placing the loss at Oil City at not less than
b. q 800 coo
tDr Frank lie Moyne, on behalf of the
ladies Of the Children's Aid Society, offered
their services for any children rendered
homeless by the disaster. On behalf of the
hospitals OF the two cities ne offered the
buildings, physicians and nurses in what
ever way the committee might direct While
the doctor was speaking, Mr.. Thompson an
nounced that two doctors from the West
Penn Hospital were prepared and ready to
go whenever needed with supply of band |
ages, splints and other things. Mr.. Scott
announced that the Allegheny Valley Rail-
road was prepared and willing to transport
all provisions or supplies to the sufferers
free of cost and that the wires of the Postal
Telegraph Company were open to the use
OF the Relief Committee tree of charge. S.
s. Marvin announced his readiness to send !
from 1000 to 5000 loaves of bread.
Organization of the Committee.
The organization of the committee was |
proceeded with by the appointment of the !
following Relief Committee, the motion in |
cluding the Mayor as a member: James B. |
Scott Reuben Miller, Captain J. J. Van !
dergriit, George a. Kelly, W. f. Thomp- |
son, 5. s. Marvin, Robert Pitcairn, D. Nc |
Cargo, Captain c. w. Batchelor, Captain |
John Eaton, Hon. David Kirk, A. j. Lo-
gan and George Heard.
Mayor Gouriey named William r.
Thompson as secretary stating that his
services in connection with the ,Johnstown
flood had made his name familiar every
where and his ability made him the best per-
son for the duty. The meeting unanimously /
agreed to the appointment, and the Mayor
appointed w. H. Reed, Harry Paul, w. H.
Keech, w. R. Ford, H. w. English and j.
Morton Hall committee to receive and
forward provisions, clothing, etc. The
Offices Of the A. V. r. R. on Penn avenue
and the warehouse of George A. Kelly S5
Co., on Wood street and First avenue, are
depots of the committee to -eceive supplies
for the sufferers.
George A. Kelly as President of the
Chamber ci Commerce, thanked Mayor
Gourl5g for his prompt action in calling a
mee.ing and extended to the Relief Com
lnittee the use of the Chambers room for
its work.
Subscriptions Poured in Rapidly.
During the meeting subscriptions amount
Ing to 81, 900 were announced. Nh. Self, of ]
the Times, announced list open which that
paper headed with $3.50 to be turned over
TO the Relief Committee. Mr.. Scott an
nounced that Capt. Vandergrift had for
warded $500 to Oil City and had subscribed
$3.50 more.
Mr.. Scott read telegram from the ALLIE
gheny Valley Railroad offering special
train for the committee to Oil City and the
members started at once for Union Station.
Mayor Kennedy appeared at the meeting,
that he would receive subscrip-
tions from Allegheny citizens and that con-
tributiOns Of clothing and provisions could
be sent to Marshall, Kennedy s. Co. s mill
The Ladies' Saturday Hospital Associa-
tion met yesterday afternoon to take action
for the benefit of the sufferers, but not
wishing to conflict with the Relief Com
mitUee, the President, Mrs. C. V. Sheriff,
w as authorized to confer with the commit
mittee this morning and offer anything the
society could do. A committee will go to
Oil City to-day.
Governor Pattison yesterday issued the
following proclamation.
WHEREAS, The people of Titusville and Oil
City and adjacent portions of the oil region
have been visited by terrible calamity
from water and fire. carrying destruction to
life and property and leaving homeless and
destitute hundreds of our fellow citizens:
Now, therefore, j, Robert f. Pattison, !
Governor of the said Commonwealth, do
hereby issue this my proclamation, recon-
nendlng to the citizens of Pennsylvania |
prompt action Tor the relief of their fellow
citizens. and | do further request and direct
Al cltlZenS, societies, committees and |
agencies desiring to aid in this work to put
themselves in communication with the au-
-horitles OF Titvsville and Oil City.
New York Ready to Give Aid.
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