The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-05-13

Plttsburg. Pa. May 13.-The sheraden
yards of the Panhandle railroad was
the scene last evening OF one OF the most
disastrous explosions and FIRE known in
this section for many years score OF
lives were lost and about 200 persons
were so badly burned that, according 10
the judgment of physcions in attendance,
fects OF their injuries.
The cause OF the catastrophe was the
explosion OF a train of naphtha cars
which were being switched at the yards
In the switching the rear car tele-
scopcd a car forward. The leaking
ignted from switch light causing an
explosion which threw the flames so feet
high Much of the escaping naphtha
ran through Corks Run and Esplen bor-
ough. distance OF ~ miles, and caused
another explosion. blowing TO atoms the
Seymour hotel and the Collins House on
River road. and badly wrecking n frame
building nearby, in which were congre-
gated 200 or more sports from Pittsburg
and vicinity. betting on the races, base
building escaped Injury many being
badly hurt. Mrs, Seymour and her
daughter OF the Sheraden hotel were Sc
riously and II is feared. fatally, injured.
The first car of naphtha exploded about
$40 o'clock and the spectacle soon at
tracted a large crowd on the streets lin
ing the hills on both sides OF and par
allel to the railroad. The second car ex-
ploded about O'Clock. but II was 6:15
when three more cars OF the deadly stun
went up with roar that could be heard
for miles that the work of destruction
really began.
TORRENT OF FLAME.
A torrent OF flame belched forth on
each side of the track, sweeping back
the terrified spectators like a charge OF
artillery. and send shower OF flame
over their heads resembling Mont Pelee
on small scale.
The scene that follows beggars de-
scription. The successive explosions had
heated the air to such an extent that
before the third explosion many were
rendered unconscious by the extreme
heat and the gaseous fumes and were
being carried away when the torrent of
fame swept over the excited crowd.
There was an awful hush for a mo-
ment. then followed scene of frenzy
Men and women their clothing ablaze,
their faces blistered and their hair
burning. ran wildly shrleking, only in
tent on escape from that awful furnace
OF fire. Some gave vert to frienzIed
appeals to kill them and put them out
OF their misery and little children cried
pteously as they were swept along by
tie tide OF burning humanity.
All the Pittsburg ambulances were i'm
mediately dispatched to the scene with
physicians. Many of those not seriously
buried were removed to their homes in
Sheraden while others were sent TO Pitts
burg hospitals and the dead removed to
undertaking establishments and the
morgue
LIST OF THE DEAD
The list Of dead so far ootainabIe fol-
lows:
Harry r. smithey. leverman, resided at
Dennison O.
William Taylor, brakeman. Uhrichsville,
Elmer Hunter, conductor.
Albert M. Mclean, brakeman, Shera-
den.
John Swan, brakeman, Sheraden.
Dallas Byrd. foreman, Sheraden.
David Smith, aged nine years. OF Shera-
den died at Allegheny General hospital
at II o'clock.
The property loss will amount to
least $500 900
ROSTER OF INJURED.
Among the more seriously burned are
Albert Hartig, aged IL burned all owe
body
Carl Eatings Of Upton. Tenn. badl
burned about head.
Henry Derzine OF A-.ogheny, burned
hea@. hands and feet
Sadie Seymour, deaf mute. aged 2,
burned and injured
Flick Connidi aged 4S, grocer. Cecil
Pa, badly burned
Pascal Nader, iO badly burned. win
die.
clyde Grinnage, a. face, neck. hands
and legs burned
Roy Guthridge, aged .. burned hands
Clyde Fair. aged 2.. Mcdonald. eeri.
opsly burned head and face
Charles keenan,. IA. burned all over
body.
w. II: Enoch. Pittsburs fractured
skull. will die.
Frank poerr burned all over body.
condition serious
William II. Henderson. @. Eliot Bor-
ough. burned about face and hands.
Hugh Henderson. IS. hands and face
burned.
j. r. Hanna. Justice Of the peace.
Bridgevillc. burned, serious
J. J. Wallace Trevescan burned about
face and body: serious
James Callahan. Eliot Borough. leg
broken.
Albert Very. IS. shernden burned
about body; win die.
Mrs. Julia Anseii. ~. Sheraden burned
badly about neck and head.
Frank Culture, 80. Carnegie badly
burned.
Matthew Moreland %. McKeo's Rocks.
badly burned
The many others who were injured