The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1892-06-29
OIL CITY pa, DISASTER VERDICT.
The Owners Of the Tank Containing the
Deadly Naptha ars csnsured. A
LOGON olive Fired IL.

Or CRY June 24.--Thc coroner and jury
completed the verdict as to the cause of the
deaths In the late disaster at Oil City, Pa,
and of the causes of the disaster A separate
but similar verdict was made for each of the
55 persons whose bodies we're viewed by the
jury.
The Coroner's verdict Ia as follows:
ut appears from the evidence before us
that Edward Eakin's death was caused by
being burned or drowned, or both, as the 70.
suit of series of explosions of naptha,
which occurred in the city OF Oil City, on
Sunday, June 5, 1893, between the hours
of 1890 a. III. and IL m. We find the explo-
sions to have resulted from the igniting of
the naptha floating on the surface of Oil
creek, and that the fire was accidentally
communicated from the Dewdrop refinery
or locomotive No. 80, of the w, N, Y. 4
y. II. II. We find that, in consequence of
All unusual rainfall, Oil crock had overflow
ed its banks and submerged large portion
of the bottom lands OF the valley. When
the flood was at its height a tank contain.
ing about $4,000 to 1900 barrels of naptha
gave way, precipitating its contents into tho
water of the creek. The naptha being
lighter than the water, spread over the sur.
face for distance of about two miles in.
Guiding the inundated portion of the city.
When 1t found fire the explosions and con.
tigrations followed, resulting in the death of
the above named person, together with the
deaths and serious burning Of many others,
the destruction of about 100 dwellings ho-
tells, retineries and factories in and about the
CITY.
The naptha which coused this awful de-
struction of life and property belonged to
the Eclipse Lubricating Oil company, of
franklin, Pa, and was stored in tank on
the bank of Oil creek on the Cornplanter
farm, near McClintockvpe, where 1t was
built about four years previous - this time.
A hn I'm nf u. NJ ,pti ba "a A,
was from % TO 80 feet from the ordinary
high-water mark in the creek, but this di.
stance had been gradually reduced by the
action of the water prior TO this flood to be-
tween 8 and 10 feet and this food further
washed away the ground up to and under
the tank, 4 distance OF from Is TO 90 feet
A part of the tank bottom thus being left
without support, tore out, allowing the
naptha to escape into the creek. The evi-
dence of the watchman, James Marsh,
shows that he realized danger from the
undermining of the tank, for he made a
feeble effort previous 10 this flood tO protect
1t by throwing loose stones between the
tank and the creek.
The jury find from the evidence that all
persons owning and having in custody this
tank and its contents are guilty of gross
carelessness in permitting 1t, while filled
with naptha, to stand without proper pro.
lection from fire and water. We also lind
from the testimony that there are tanks in
the vicinity of this one, owned by other
parties containing oil and its various pro-
duets. which are constance menace 20 life
and property and would recommend TO the
proper authorities that suitable steps be
taken, looking either to their removal or the
placing of adequate safeguards about them.
In witness whereof as well the said coroner
rs the said jurors have TO this inquisition
set their hands and seals this 22d day of
June, year and place first mentioned and the
lively acknowledge their signatures to the
verdict. (Signed) J. NJ. SNowDEY, Coroner"