Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-09-01
Damage to PowerhOuse of
Company Last Night Es-
timated at $4,000.
4 MILES FROM TULSA
Barrels of Oil Explode;
Powder Is Threatened;
Cause Unknown.

ENRE of unknown origin destroyed
Il the powerhouse of the Hickory
coal mines, one mile south of Kendall,
last night. Property loss was esti-
mated By officials of the company at
$4,000.
The fire was discovered at $40
O'Clock in the evening by "a group of
employees, who were seated on the
front porch of home about $50
yards distant. Flames arising from
the top of the building brought their
attention.
Henry Adamson, mine foreman and
stockholder in the company, was the
first to reach the building. Tearing
open the doors he and others were
blown back from the entrance by
terrific blast of heat which issued as
from furnace.
The entire interior of the building
was in flames. The most acute con-
dition was in the west of the build
ing. where the huge boilers were sta
toned. The fire seemed to be on the
ceiling and walls more than on the
floor.
1t was impossible to enter the build
ing and volunteers from the mining
city fell to protecting other property.
The mine proper with Its intricate
lscaffoldiug and runways was less than
fifty feet from the building and no
hope was entertained for 1t at first
glance.
As soon as the fire broke from the
building, however, IL was noticed that
a strong south wind was whipping the
flames away from the mine and n part
of the volunteer corps was directed to
the other side Of the engine house.
Save Frame Buildings.
one frame dwelling house was only
a hundred feet distant from the house
and burning cinders began 10 fall
upon the roof All furnishings were
removed from the home and the 2c-
cupants sat back to watch 1t burn. II
It had caught fire. there is little doubt
that the entire string of company
houses, more than a dozen in number,
would have burned as they are in a
row on either side OF one street.
Efforts OF the volunteers. how
ever, kept the cinders from setting
fire TO the dwelling and thus confined
the fire to the powerhouse. =,
The powerhouse was constructed of
corrugated sheetiron with frame sup
ports. within half an hour after the
discovery Of the fire the entire struc-
.ure collapsed and the danger was
over.
About this time several barrels or
oil which were stored in the house
exploded and spread fear among the
Inhabitants Of the mining village A
pwoderhou5e of the company Is stu
atcd about two hundred yards OF the
powerhUuse and 1t was thought that
sparks had reached this.
Before an hour had passed the ex-
pensive machinery and equipment was
rtOlten mass and the fire had died
away. only the flare Of burn0g gas
emittir . FROM leG,.s n Ez- hHes COW
cred ths sc1ne Of DufiaRratioh.
Officials ~ he com, ll5 '.. 80
vance no theory rs 10 the ''Jual 20 81 l
fire. The fre In the boilers re- b
put out o'clock and cl
stopped. me 0Ool hd4 o. ..a
at 6:30 O'Clock. All dos thd wiz
dows were locked W re me rs
discovered. accordrr 10 Nr. Adam
son.
A night w1.ei.,.n { d5 lFnated to
watch th's 'Jlc.ns tDgether with 9TH
er rrc per 2 cs Tho company but he
was D. Ot 4ear he scene. His attention
WIS di' ectf 4 toward tho rock dump
q the mine which has been burning
for several days the residue coal and
dust beSg impossible to oxtinguish.
This s somc distance from the power
house.
Henry Adamson. mine foreman,
said last night that the company
would Immediately begin rebuilding
the station.
Work Of clearing the site for
erection OF a new power plant VIII
begin in the morning. said Mr..
Ada mson.