Omaha daily bee., 1915-09-29
ARDMORE BLAMES
SANTA FE OFFICIALS
FOR THE DISASTER
~ Authorities Begin an Action
W. % Fix Responsibility for
the Explosion and
Fire.
TWO HUNDRED PERSONS HURT
Railway Men Are Charged with
Criminal Negligence by the
Municipality,
rwo HUNDRED PERSONS HURT
DEATH LIST IS FoRTY.FoUR


ARDMoRE. Okla, Sept. 2s.-Pro-
ceedings to fix the responsibility for
the disaster of yesterday in which a
tank car explosion caused the death
of forty-four, injuries to 100 others,
and property loss of more than $780,
600. were started today by the
municipal authorities, who charge
Atchlson, Topeka & Santa Fe railway
officials with criminal negligence.
This was announced tonight by Rus
sell Brown, city attorney of Ardmore.
The death list tonight stood at
forty-four, according to a statement
from police headquarters. Early Of
fetal statements had placed the num-
Der OF victims at fifty-five.
This discrepancy was explained to-
night by the fact that several persons
previously reported dead we're found
either in hospitals or in their homes
alive after close police check with
the physicians of the city and hos
pitfalls.
II is supposed that spark from a ham,
mer OF one Of the workmen repairing the
car ignlted the gasoline.
Eye witnesses said flames shot into the
air for distance OF 200 feet Immediately
preceding the explosion. which scattered
the flaming liquid for blocks, thus start
ing scores of fires in the buildings. which
were wrecked by the conclusion.
Most of the persons killed were crushed
under falling walls, some OF them more
than block away from the scene of the
explosion.
Ardmore today virtually was under
martial law. while business was sus-.
pended TO permit the work Of rescue to
proceed with greater speed. One hun
dred special deputies had been sworn In
to prevent disorder.
Block Rased by Explosion.
The downtown business section pre-
sented a picture of disaster. one block of
Main street, from the railroad station to
the Whittington hotel, having been RACED
by the explosion, many buildings on the
Opposite side Of the street destroyed and
the plate glass fronts OF every store In
town demolished.
The greater part OF the city was In
darkness last night. the electric lights
having been cut of owing to the danger
from PROSTATE wires. Many instances Of
heroism and freakish results of the ex-
plosion were recorded today by persons
who witnessed 1t and themselves escaped
with slight bruises. The terrific report
was heard for distance OF twenty-five
miles.
The explosion occurred yesterday after
noon In tank car containing 1900 gal
Ions Of gasoline. 1t caused great dam
age, six blocks in each direction from
the Santa Fe freight and passenger de-
pots being affected.
Tank Leaking Gasoline.
Railroad men who were in the, yard at
the time state that the car was shunted
to a siding on account of it's being I'm bad
order" The car wac leaking gasoline TO
such an extent that pool OF the fluid
had formed on the ground under the car.
When switchmen refused to move the car
further an inspector was called.
Ira Woods, aged about 40. the car in
spector, according TO the story OF those
who saw him, mounted the car, un-
screwed the cap and peered in Just as
he did this the gasoline became ignited
and Woods, the car and every loose
piece of material within 100 yards was
hurled through the air.
Dynamite Also ExpIOdes.
First reports that there were two ex-
plosions were confirmed early today. A
quantity Of dynamite in the freight store
.
the gasoline explosion. The second ex-
ploslon came within a second after the
first
The greatest damage was done from the
shock OF the explosion. The fire damage
will not equal that caused by the dyna-
mite and gasoline. The dynamite demol-
ished a score OF buildings. Near the siding
on which the car was placed were a mum
ber of wooden structures, part OF which
were occupied by negroes. In this section
a two-story frame building collapsed, TAX
ing fifteen negroes in pool hall to their
death. Search Of the ruined buildings
proceeded all night and continued this
morning. 1t is In wrecks OF these build
ings that other bodies are expected TO
be found.
THE Dead.
The following dead have peon identi
fled:
IRA WOODS laborer.
CHARLES SMITH. former policeman.
NJ. II. ATKINS. drayman.
A. G. GOULD. Huckster
BRESTON RLAZE, Santa Fe flagman
RUBEN WARREN, farmer.
TOM GILKEY.
s. TNYFORD.
T. e. SIMs. Santa Fe flagman.
The body OF an unidentified l6-year-olt
gird. an unidentified Indian. an unidentl.
fled boy and five unidentified negroe
we're at the undertaking esta blishmsnts
II was impossible to ascertain the names
OF the other victims.