The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1899-05-10
TERRIFIC STORM.
This Section had one of the
Worst Storms on Record
Wednesday.

Couuty-I0Nn Suhers treat Deal =
Number Of Places Struck-Not Very
Much Damage done-Tank set on
Fire at the Pump Station-Great
Crowds Of People Watch it Burn
Officials Of Company Here-Cannon
Used 10 Avert Danger Of Spread Of
Fire-BilIey st Clair hurt by Prema.
ture Discharge.
The most severe electrical storm
that has ever visited this section
was experienced here on Wednesday
afternoon about three o'clock. The
lightning was severe and a great
many places were struck. The storm
was accompanied by a great deal of
hail and heavy rain.
The storm was the result of the
combination of two storms that met
over the town and then proceeded
to do business For a half hour the
flashed almost continuous
ly and one place after another was
struck. The thunder was incessant
and the fall of hail played a merry
TO the other noises.
Hail stones were picked up some
time after the storm was over that
were larger than ever seen here be-
fore. They must have been tremen
dous when they first fell. The older
people have never seen anything to
compare with them.
The first place struck in town was
a tree in the Presbyterian grave
yard Ed Shanks and Major NJ
yum were standing near and the
shock knocked the former down.
A horse in a stable near by was also
knocked down. Neither the man
nor the animal were very badly hurt
and were all right in few minutes.
Col. Jos. McDermott's new house
on the lower end of Spruce street re-
ceived bolt This struck on the
roof and tore off lot of material
besides knocking down one of the
force of carpenters at work in the
building which is yet in the process
Of construction.
A barn was struck ON the West
side but very little damage was
done to it. None of the bolts seemed
to be very destructive except the
one that hit an oil tank on the hill
above the Pump Station.
The tank was struck about three
o'clock: Shortly afterward the news
spread over town and it attracted a
great crowd of people. They began
to go out in the afternoon before
the tank got well under way and
kept it up until after midnight.
The tank was number sixteen and
it stood near the top of the hill. But
one was higher up than it. The fire
burned slowly at first and after the
top had fallen in it began to burn
furiously. Vast sheets of flame
mingled with the column of dense
black smoke making sight that
was very beautiful and terrible.
The officials of the Eureka Pipe
line company were at once notified Of
the fire and they started here on
special trains arriving about nine
thirty. Mr.. Scrafford and Mr.. Alex
ander were the first to arrive. They
brought large force Of men with
them and these were put in with the
men secured here to strengthening
the levees and in getting things in
shape for every emergency.
The fire when the officials had come
was raging furioasly and orders were
given to shoot the tank in order to
prevent the burning oil from over
lowing. The cannon had been
brought out some time before this
and the crowd had been attracted
to witness this.
Hundreds had bten attracted by
the fire and when the cannon was fir
ed there we're not far from fifteen
hundred people on the ground. They
all the proceedings with
great interest and were more than re-
paid for the work of getting to the
scene of the fire.
Thirteen shots were fired into the
tank near the bottom and the oil
pouring out of the holes took fire and
spread all over the basin around and
added very much to the beauty of the
scene.
While the piece was being served it
was discharged prematurely and Billy
St Clair was badly hurt. He was
charge of powder home
and the powder exploded blowing the
rammer out of his hand and burning
nim severely. His hand was badly
burned and his hearing seriously af
Fected.
How he escaped death or great in
Jury is hard to tell but he was not
lurt to very great extent. His coat
was set on fire and he did not know
It until some one yelled at him to jerk
ais coat off. The shock had turned
lim nearly around.
He was brought to town at once
md the injuries were dressed by DR..
Joseph. His hearing may not be per-
affected and it remains for
lime to tell what the outcome will
De. If the ear drums are not ruptur-
I'd by the noise he will be all right
lgain in few days.
In all about fifteen thousand barrels
If oil burned up A great deal had
oeen pumped out after the tank was
struck but of course not nearly all of
i could be saved. Several hours be-
lore the cannon were fired the tank
had been receiving water from the
pipes. This was to protect the bot
Join of the tank and to save it if pos
;ible.
The loss in the value of the tank
vas six to seven thousand and the ex-
)ense was very great in connection
With the fire so that it will not be
very far wrong to say that the loss
was twenty five to thirty Thousand
dollars. The danger of the other
ianks catching fire was what made
hem hustle as they did but luckily
hone of the rest were at any time in
very great danger. Had the burning
Ill started down the ravine to the
,ump Station the damage would have
been incalculable and this was an
,ther factor that gave the officials Sc
'ious alarm.
However the issue OF the burning
vas about as lucky as II could well be
lnder the circumstances and giWs
,ause for congratulation to those WHO
lad the matter in charge. They know
hat they handled it right.