The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1891-1893, 1892-06-07
TWO HUNDRED DEAD.
EXTENSIVE LOSS or LIFE IN
PENN>N
The Fatal Rise oT the Allegheny
River and OIL city Crrck.-Heart-
Heudtu. scenes.
By Telegraph to the state Chronicle.

Rendt0. Scenes.
BY Telegraph To the state Chronicle
On City, Pa, June 6.-An esti-
mate by a city official this morning
places the loss of life in Oil City at
200. a report reached here this
morning from Titusville that 1873
bodies have been taken from the ruins
at and near that place. Wire facili-
ties to Oil City and Titusville are very
meagre and the report lacks coniirms-
tion. Not until the sun arose over the
hills this morning did the people of
Oil City realize fully the terrible
havoc wrought by yesterdays flood
and fire. Suffering and death is found
on every side. The greatest devasta-
tion Is Seneca street, east side of Oil
City creek. But one house remains
on Seneca street in the lower district.
For three-fourths of mile around il
there is not single habitation stand
ing. Dead bodies are being taken out
of the debris almost every minute
and are rapidly conveyed 10 the several
improvised morgues. The Identification
is fraught with many narrowing Incl
dents. Tears as warm as ever flowed
from tender woman's eyes welled up
from the hearts of the brawny men
who were the unwilling witnesses of
some particularly pathetic incident.
The dead bodies are nothing more
than sickening Jumps of charred, crisp
flesh, retaining but the faintest sem
blance of humanity. II is believed
that many corpses will be found down
the stream when the waters recede into
their natural channels. The Allegheny
river and Oil creek are now receding
rapidly. The fire at several of the oil
tanks is still burning but no more
damage is anticipated. The oil ex-
change adjourned this morning until
tomorrow and business is practically
suspended.
On CRY, Pa. June 6-The coro-
ner's jury held an inquest on num-
Der of the bodies recovered to-day ow-
ing to the fact that their decomposed
condition makes it necessary TO bury
them at once. A verdict in accordance
with the facts was rendered. Every
body will sleep under roof tonight.
:, temporary quarters being furnished by
: the relief associations.
PITTsBURG, June 6.-This after
= noon Governor PatiiSon telegraphed
:, from Harrisburg that he had issued n
:. proclamation asking for relief for the
! citizens of northwestern Pennsylvania.
TITUsvILLE, Pa, June 6.-The
! citizens of this city are yet dazed at
= the horrors with which they are sur
, rounded. There are hundreds of hands
= searching for the missing friends. Sew
eral days time will be required to
a thoroughly search the mountains of
i debris. Up to ten o'clock this morn
ing fifty-five bodies had been recovered.
= A large portion of Titusville and the
entire Oil Creek valley from its source
to Canadohta Lake, l9 miles above the
city, is waste OF ruins. At Rice
vile, nine miles above this city, there
~. 10 ii udiu dCIOSS VII II was tuN
breaking of this dam that caused the
:, excessive height of water.
TITUsvILLE, June 6-Over so
. dead recovered, perhaps 50 more not
yet found, and at least 81 100000
- worth of property destroyed by fire
-, - and flood, is the sum total of the ter
rible disaster which has over
F" taken Titusville. The city wa
today city Of mourning. Mos
of the stores were closed, an'
there was Grape on many door
g The scenes were ieart-rcnding. Peo
pie in half demented state thronge'
" the morgucs looking for loved one
- whom they will probably never hea
. from; while others at their homes o
at some friends house stared aimlessl
nd at their dear ones lying dead bcfor
ny them.
TITUsvILLE, Pa, June c. Bull
cs- tin. "A 2,500-barrel tank AT Ihoma
- refinery in the upper part of the tow
caught fire at about 2.30 this afte
ad noon and the burning oil is runnir
inc down through the devastated distri
endangering such property AS vi
Ia, saved