w L 2 . THE PTCTSBURG DISPATCH TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 1892, J name is a houehold word, said to The DisrATCir to-night: t rcc'.iar Methods Reing Used. "If Harrison is nominated by the aid of these doubtful Southern votes, the result will have been accomplished by methods which will hardly be approved by the mass of the Republican party. Our opponents have the offices right in their hands. It is called bribery to offer a delegate money for his support, bat when an office is promised, and promised for immediate delivery, the affair somehow assumes a different aspect 11 the plans of the second-term managers succeed, look out for a luxuriant crop of colored consuls and numerous changes in Southern postoffices. That is all the Blaine men are afraid of." Of course the figures given above do not represent the claims of either Harrison or the opposition spokesmen, ifone of these will even discuss the idea of less than 500 votes for their respective favorites, but as Iheie are only 900 odd delegates in the con vention, it can easily be seen that there are not enough to go around. Tallc of a Third Candidate. Some impartial observers insist that the controlling forces are so nearly equal in strength that Alger's supporters, by stand ing firm, could prevent a nomination on the first ballot. This end of the situation has led to renewed suggestions of a third candidate. Scarcely anvone regards Alger as having a serious chanc? for the first place, and the outside names most fre quently heard are those of Sherman and McKinley. The latter seems to be the sec ond choice of many of Harrison's friends, while the former is more popular with the Blaine enthusiasts. Allison and Cullom have been spoken of during the day, but in a perfunctory manner. As a matter of fact, niuc-teuths of those here, delegates and bcomeis alike, expect a nomination by the time the changes are made in the first ballot, and until further developments the dark hores will remain in the gloom. -Anything: to Heat Anybody El. Practically the only reason for the ex istence of the idea of a third man is the feeling of the Ulaine men that they would rather ee anybody nominated but Harrison and vice versa. For second place with Harrison, if he is nominated, not a new suggestion has been heard here, and if there is a candidate aeraint Morton he is being kept carefully concealed. As the running mate of Ulaine, many names are brought forth in a kaleidoscopic fashion. Rusk is generally considered as particularly available, but his positiou in the Cabinet is a cause of em barrassment. If the agricultural statesman likes the idea of a "Jim and Jerry" ticket he had better imitate Blaine's example of resigning at an early hour, but the informa tion received here from AVashington is that Rusk is standing by the administration. Forakcr's admirers have been endeavor ing to create a boom for him in connection with Ulaine, and a number of the more con servativ opponents of" Harrison have sug gested that it would be good policy to tender the nomination of Vice President to Mclvinley. There is a great divergence of opinion as to whether Ke would take it, and the Buckeye Governor hims-elf decline? to uiscu the subject, savins that he believes the old ticket will be nominated through out. The Real Struggle Only Began. Such is the situation on the eve of the first day of the convention. But the real struggle te. now only been fairly inaugurated. Very little time and abolutelv no atten tion has yet been devoted to the platform of principles to be framed by the conven tion. The fight over the candidates for the Presidency has thrown in the background the decision as to the different planks in the platform to a great extent. Leading Republicans wre seen to-day who were vry confident that there would be a great chinge frcy. the platform of 18S3. It is certain, however, that the silver men are going to make a strong fight to have a tilank more liberal to them than that adopted four years ago. The leading silver men of the different States met in conference in the rooms of the Colorado delegation, at 4 o'clock to-day, to dUcii- the policy to be pursued in regard to the silver States insisting at the start on a plank providing for the tree and unlimited coinaie i the white metal. It can be pre dicted for a certainty, however, that they will tail in this respect, and that the most ihesilver men can hope for is a plank pro Tiding for the free coinage of the American product. There rnav be disputes in this re jpect. too, but that some concession will be made is very probable. Tho Miter Is no tho Great One. It can be said that the most heated con tests over the adoption of any plank in the platform will come over the silver issue. Owing so the fact that nearly three-fourths of the delegates sent here are against any free and unlimited coinage plank in the platform, it is not possible for the free silver men to get what they want. If Blaine is nominated the leading plank in the platform will be builded on his reciprocity idea, backed up by the pro tection of American industries, as partially advocated by the McKinley bill Upon tin's advocated by the McKinley bill Upon this question it is certain that the McKinley law will he emphatically indorsed, but in cluded with it will be the reciprocity reciprocity scheme. Bancroft. rOK THE ADDITION M. CONTENTION M; WS JXD O WH's IE rTEB SEE fAGES fi, 7, AND IS. DRIFT OP THE FLOOD. Traces or the OH Country's Terrible Dis aster Are round Alone the Allegheny IJivcr A I'io aad Milk Restaurant Sigr Cast Upon tho Shore. Traces of the Oil City disaster are be coming very scarce along the Allegheny in the vicinity of Pittsburg. The water has lowered 15 inches in the last 21 hours and will soon reach its natural level. Hundreds of boys upon the shore and in row-boats are still pulling in the drift-wood which continues to pour down in considera ble quantities, and occasionally a solitary relic-hunter can be seen rummaging among the debris, which lias been grounded in the numerous curves of the river. A Dispatch reporter coming down the river in a row-boat encountered two first class rpecimens of the genus "tramp,"just above Suarpsburg, who were angling un successfully for an object resembling a rub ber football more than anything else. "When separated from the small tree in which it had become entangled and opened it proved to have been originally a large box of cigarette packages wrapped in coarse brown paper and securely tied with hempen cord. The contents, though reduced to a pulp, were eagerly seized by the tramps, who spread them on pasteboard and upon the ground to dry, in the meantime chewing larjv quantities in great complaccncv. Midway between Sharpsbun; and Pitts burg a young man was chopping into kindling wood the remains of the sign of en Oil City restaurant, and to a fragment of n door near bv, hanging loosely by one corner, was a gaudily emblazoned tin ban ner, conveying the information that the happy combination of pie and milk could --be struck at the modest outlay of 10 cents. A mile further down the river a crowd of urchins, with more zeal than success, were endeavoring to extract melody from what had once evidently been a valuable guitar. George Connors, a water-color artist, was sketching along the banks. He exhibited au immense package of letters which he had found among the wreckage, plainly in feminine chirogranhv, though almost' en tirely illegible. They had probably be longed to some actor or actress, for among the letters were a number of photographs, four ot which could be recocnized as those of Kyrle Bellew, Robert Mantell, Stuart Bobson aud Amelia Glover. 1 I "i i I II! FLOOD! FIRE! How theKusli of Oil and Water Started on Its Destruc tive Eoad. PEOPLE SLEEP IN PEACE While the Dams Burst and the Deluge Sweeps Quickly Onward. GASOLINE FLOATS IN FLAMES Upon Thousands of Unprotected Women and Children. lien, SIGHTS AND SCEXES U TITUSYILLE rmOM A STAFF CORKESrOXDEMT.l Titusville, June 6. An awful calam ity, suddenly and without warning, has fallen upon this city. On Saturday night the community, excepting a party of citi zens who went up on a picnic to Oil Creek Lake about 20 miles distant on the preced ing afternoon and were prevented by a washout on the railroad from returning that nieht, retired as usual to rest. It had rained a good deal for several days, but Oil creek, which runs through the town, was still below the top of its banks, and the citizens went to bed and to sleep without a thought of approaching danger. It rained heavily all the evening, but this was nothing unusuaL It must have rained much more heavily as far north as Chau tauqua Lake, at least Oil creek and all its tributaries were suddenly swollen as they had never been before. Spartansburg is a town about 19 miles north of Titusville. A good-sized stream, whose waters empty into Oil creek, is dammed at this point for a water power. throwing the water back over perhaps 1, 000 acres, and holding it as a motive power for mills. There was something like a cloud burst above and beyond this pond late on Saturday afternoon, causing such a swell as to break the dam entirely away, and to suddenly let through a mighty river, which swept everything before it. Dams Could Not Stay the Flood. Other dams, all the way to Titusville, broke away and the flood reached this city between 2 and 3 o'clock Sunday morning. The water was several feet above the highest water mark ever known here. The heavy fall of rain continued until after midnight. supplying the streams above, and it was not until 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon, that the great stream at Titusville began to recede. Titusville is supplied with water by the Holley system. The works are located upon the west bank of Oil creek about half a mile above the northern limit ot the town. The flood first struck and submerged the water-works, thus suddenly denrivine the citizens of tKir supply of domestic water, and this lasted nearly 21 hours. Not only this, hut the water "for extinguishing fire's in this city comes almost solely from the hydrants of the Holley system, the pressure being increased to a high limit whenever required, so that the closing of the water works suddenly left the city almost entirely without the means to extinguish or even check a conflagration. Two old fire steamers 'were still owned by the city. One of these was disabled and the other in a bad state of repair, so it did not throw water with more than half its original force. 'lion- the Fire Was Started. The city is heated by natural gas and lighted by electricity and illuminating gas. iiotli tlie natural and tue illuminating gas were shut oft as a precaution soon after the flood struck the city. But fuel for a destructive conflagration was at hand and in great abundance. A string ot oil refineries, beginning with the Oil Creek "Works oa the north, runs througli the city near the stream, south eastward, seven or eteht in all. A tank of gasoline at the Oil Creek Works was over turned by the flood and the contents thrown out upon the surface of the water. It floated downward with the current past the refineries of Bice, Bobinson & Fagan and of the International Oil Works without taking fire from either or any source until it reached the Crescent "Works, owned by John Schwartz & Co., about half a mile below. There the heavy vapor from the gasoline floated into a fire in the furnace of the stills and ignited and then back to the stream upon the surface of the water. This stream of gasoline still extended back as far as the Bice & Robinson Works. The Crescent Works instantly took fire and explosion after explosion of stills and tanks followed. The Awful Rush of Flamn. Tnen the fire rushed up the creek upon the stream of gasoline, setting fire first to the International and next to the Bice & Bobinson refinery. Tanks aud stills at both works immediately exploded, throwing floods of burning oil upon the stream, and a sheet of flame moved away downward with the current over the waste of water. At first the flood struck the dwellings of all the people who lived upon the flats from Mon roe street down. The inmates almost in an instant were awakened by the rush of water against and into their homes and into their bedrooms upon the ground floor where many ot them slept. Th'e terror of the people can be better imagined than described. The women and children at first screamed. In their night clothes the older ones, uplifting the young children, carried them into the chambers, where there was a chamber. Their cries and groans were heard by those who came down to the water's edge and even waded into the water to render all possible assistance, but were deterred by the rush of water. Some houses were overturned and the inmates driven into the surging flood. All the terrible distress at first came from water alone. Then fire, like a demon, at tacked the doomed sufferers. The boiling, burning oil was washed upon the houses and the outside, and in some cases the in side, walls were covered with flame. At first the inmates, if they leaped from their dwellings, plunged into deep running water. Now they must be burned to death when they jump into what is almost a sea of flame. At first it was terror; now it is indescribable desperation and despair. Death In the Flood of Flame. Some with a shriek jumped into the boil ing flood of water and flame, others in de spair or panic stricken, met death in their burning dwellings. One woman was seen to hold out lrom a window a child and put it into the water where there was no fire. The child sank and was probably drowned. The mother evidently returned for another child, but the house was on fire, and the poor woman aim an otners remaining inside were smothered and then burned. It is impossible to know whether more met death by drowning or from fire. Some may have first been drowned and then burned. Most of those events occurred before the alarm of fire was sounded and this came alone from the fire bell. Usually a warning of fire in this city is given bv the blowing of steam whistles in the vicinity of the fire, as well as by the bell in the tower of the fire department But the flood drove the watchmen away from every engine which might have been carrying steam on this Saturday night or Sunday morning. Citizens riasten to the Scene. At 3 o'clock the cloudless heavens were lighted by the conflagration, and those citi zens remote from the flood were also soon out of their beds and rushing to the assist- ance of those living near at hand, who were doing all mortals could do to .rescue those threatened with death by water or by fire. In some cases there was success. But the high water and the absence of boats, to say nothing of running into a sheet of flame, rendered almost all efforts to save the poor victims vain. Above Monroe street, on the Fletcher flats, people were driven from their homes aud some may hare been drowned there, but none perished from fire, the water on Monroe street reaching to within a few rods of Spring. It came nearer to the crossing of Spring and Perry. Several persons per ished near, Monroe street Families on Monroe, north of the mill race, up to the crossing of Spring were driven out of their houses, but were able to return to-day. But there was great terror in all the north western parts of the town west of Perry street. The Cist at the Bice Bobinson and In ternational refineries, one on the north of Monroe and the other upon the south of the street, all day Sunday and even until Monday morning menaced the people in the northwestern part of the town and the escape was a wonderfully close one. The wind produced principally by the confla gration blew from the southeast. One Family'" Kxcltinc Experience. Miss Lizzie Lucrs says that her father, mother, three brothers and herself were in a house on Mechanic street The first they knew was when they heard some neighbors calling tor help. They determined to stay in the house and went upstairs. Lizzie finally persuaded them to attempt to escape and went to the rear door and pushed away the burning oil and rubbish with her hands. They all went out into the water. Lizzie went back in a few minutes and saw her mother on a plank, evidently un conscious. She called to tier and received no response. Her father s,eemed to be dangling on a clothes line in the water. He called to them "Good by children, if I never see you again." The four children were all saved. Lizzie was joiued by Ed Bartholomew, a barber, and they finally landed on a piece of sidewalk, but were soon forced by the fire to jump into the flood. They swam together and finally reached a telegraph pole, and from there jumped on a passing pile of lumber and escaped by the aid of a rescuing crew. Bartholomew is badly burned. STORIES OF SUFFERERS. THEr GIVE GRAPHIC NARRATIVES OF HARROWING SCENES. Men Who Wero Saved vt hlle Their Families Perished Narrow Escapes of Adven tnrnns Spirits Who "YlouldNot Succumb to the Overawing Circamstances. Titusville, June 6. Special. Possi bly the greatest tragedy of this calamity was that enacted at the home of John O'Mara, on Mechanic street There was himself and wife and a Mr. Pease in the house. The waters crept noiselessly, and they slept. In -dreams the husband heard voices calling, "Awake!" and woke to find it was a reality. Hastily jumping from bed he landed in the water, which already covered the floor. Laughing, he remarked to his wife that he was not afraid of water, and the two went upstairs, where Mr. Pease slept As they got there they first caueht sight of the flood of fire that was rolling and leaping. It was fast coming tipon them. The wife swooned for a moment, the husband lost his head and rushed for the root for better safety. He thought his wife was following him. Mad dened by the sight of the rolling flames, he dived beneath a burning mass of oil. He rose in clear water; saw a woman floating and rescued her. Then the flames broke forth again and by its light he saw the woman he had saved was not his wife. Turning he saw her standing in the door way, crying for help. A sea of boiling oil raged between them and while he looked the flames licked round her feet She became frantic to escape, but the flames reached out again and the helpless husband saw the blackened corpse of his wife sink into the flood. There was a ripple for a moment and then another mass of oil floated over the place, and like a funeral pyre burned above her grave. O'Mara made his escape. The body of the wife has gone down with the flood or was buried by the Dower that destroyed her in the drift ing sand. At daylight the remains of Pease were found near the ruins. Saved Himself on a Rait. James "Whalcn, his wife two sons and a daughter lived on Mechanic street The father and mother, the youngest son and daughter were all lost. John says that when the fire surrounded the house he jumped out of the rear window aud man aged to construct a raft He then called to Frank, aged 10, to follow. The boy jumped down all richt and the two tried to float their ratt into the current away from the fierce heat. Finding that they would be burned to death if they stayed on the raft, the two boys jumped. John man aged to "land safely but Frank was drowned. Edward, the oldest, boy jumped into the water, and after a most desperate fight against the fire was finally rescued, although he is terribly burned. "Whether the father, mother and daughter perished in the flood or remained in the house and there burned to death is not known. Their bodies have not been re covered. Ciarence Osmer is another survivor of the flood and fire who had an experience such as mortal man never bad. His lather is a driller at the McDonald oil field, near Pittsburg. He with his mother and two other children and two cousins from "Warren were at their home on Mechanic street and they did not know of the dancer until 1 o'clock, when they were awakened by some people out side. They at once tried to save goods by carrying them upstairs. They had hardly commenced this work when a stream of oil came pouring in and soon caught fire. The flames raged all around them. The mother, kneeling in prayer, gave up all hope. Phe Frnyed Them to Die Together. She counseled them to all die together. Bert, one of the cousins, believed there was a chance. He stepped from the win dow, but that step was into eternity. He was never seen after that, nor have the waters yet given up his corpse. Clar ence Osmer determined to find a means ot escape. He made his way to Wash ington street and then walked on a fence to the iron works. The flames had again closed in. To return was impossible. To escapa he grabbed a floating log and floated to a boxcar, where a number of others had found safety. He was the only one who escaped. Joseph Bratt went ont in a .tmall boat, and, alter a most perilous ride, rescued a child from a boxcar. After getting the child in the boat the leaky craft broke in the middle of the flood. Bratt jumped out ana managed to push the boat to shore. The car from which the child was rescued was burned a few minutes later. This was a most thrilling sight for the thousand people that lined the shore and covered the buildings in that portion of the city. Returned tr Find None Left. Mvron Houghtalin and wife resided in a one-story house at the corner of Mechanic and "Washington streets. "When the flood came up Mr. Houghtalin took his wife into the second story ot the next house occupied by a man named Beillv. His daughter and her two children, Jir. Eeilly and Mr. Houghtalin went to the lower portion of the city where the flood appeared to be doing the most damage. A little later they heard that Mechanic street was on fire. They hurried back and found the house in which they had left their people almost consumed. Houghtalin was told that his wife had been seen floating down the street on a plank. No one had seen Mr. Eeilly's daughter or her children. Mrs. Houghtalin was saved, but the remainder of the other three are still in the debris. Late this afternoon two boys were out in a boat and they saw the body of a man float by them. The water was shallow and run- nine swift The body rolled over and over until lost to sight The first funerals were held this -afternoon, tjiree bodies being interred. Oil City has telegraphed for caskets, but there will not be enough here to bury the remains. The bodies of Babbi Copcland, wife and child have just been brought here from Oil City to be interred. It could not be learned whether they were burned or drowned. A constant stream of country people in all sorts and kinds of vehicles have been streaming into the city from daylight All the hotels and restaurants have been eaten out and hun dreds of strangers are walking the streets to-night for want of sleeping quarters. FIGHTING THE FIRE. Dangers That Were Ayorted by the Exer tions or the I'eop'e Cindirs That "Flew Tli rough tho Air The RooCi Were Wet an I They Did No D.imase. Titusville," June & Spxial For a time cinders from burning wooden material as large as a man's hand filled the air and were carried a great distance. They were rained upon the roofs of houses but the shingled roofs were thoroughly soaked with the rain which had fallen the night preced ing and not a single building caught fire from the winged flyers. The inhabitants of the Second ward realized their danger and very naturally they were in great distress of mind. The fire at the Biee & Bobin son works was attended with painful anxiety. The stills at the southeast corner of the yard were wrapped in flames and the dark est possible smoke. To the northwest was the Tait House, which took fire at about 8 o'clock in the moruiug. An explosion fol lowed, and this caused great excltementstill further north, because some distance apart were two iron agitators, each holding per haps 1.000 barrels. Both these agitators were filled with gasoline. If the gasoline from either should have caught fire a wide spread conflagration would be sure to fol low. Fortunately the wind from the burn ing oil in the stills was blowing steadily from the gasoline. The fine brick office was burned, but the books and.paners of the firm were in a strong vault and were saved. The fire at the International Oil "Works was advancing westward. The barrel house and other buildings one after another took fire. The heat became so great that the buildings upon the bank to the northwest were in danger of igniting. The old fire engine was brought up and water thrown upon the burning buildings. But a box freight car, standing in the water several feat deep and partly across Monroe street, took fire upon its end next to the International, and burned slowly for a long time. It was in dangerous proximity to a UUIlUUJg UUtCllim fcU LUIIKS IKIL'U Willi Oil in the yard of Bice & Bobinson. There was a swift current of water run ning between this building and the edge of the water on the north. The wheezy old fire engine could not throw water on the side of the building next to the car, which was not all ablaze. Money was first offered to any one who would take a bucket across the swift current and extin guish the slow fire on theeast end of the box car, but none could be found to do it. FEARS OF A FAMINE. Want and Starvation Stare at the People on Every Side The Uangry Fed by the Well-Snpplled Regardless of Where the Next Is to "om From. Oil City, Pa., June 7. Special. The dread aspect of famine stared hundreds in the face to-day and previous to six o'clock this evening the gravest apprehensions were entertained by citizens ot wealth as well as by the poor unfortunates who were driven fiom their homes by the uncurbable elements, fire and water. The devasted district was thickly studded with provisions stores and butcher shops, and the total wrecking of them has prevented anyone from purchasing the necessaries of life." The consumption of the city is very large and is without an ex ception supplied daily and as no one anticipated any such dire disaster the larders were only supplied with enough to last over Suuday. After the terrible calamity the hungering ones .were fed by the citizens who were bet ter supplied, the latter never thinking of being unable to replenish their stores in the morning. Added to this awful state of want, the gas supply was cut off at 15 o'clock Sunday evening, and there was neither a light nor a fire in the city until about 6 o'clock to-night with the few exceptions oi tnose wno coum Durn coal. As a result the city has been practically foodlcss for the last 24 hours. Tiie restaurants have turned hundreds away, and those who were fortunate were obliged to put up with can ned goods, old bread and dirty water. The hotels served scant, unsatisfying meals aud to the request of" all made the invariable answer that "We are doing our best to please; don't complain." Among the destitute the suffering is something aw ful to witness. I came upon a crowd of tired, dirty-faced folk, who had long since spent their tears of bereavement for lost friend or relative. There was the peaceful look of despair and utter helplessncss.upon their faces as they piti fully appealed for aid. Some had not tasted bread nor meat since Sunday save an odd crust or crumb some more fortunate one had given them. "Want, desolation, destitution and sick ness stares one in the face from every point. Clothing is as scant as food is scarce. The ruined people are half naked, and their muddy water-coated clothing when not torn to rags tells the pitiful tale. The relief train was welcomed, but it cannot take care of a fifth. "West. COMMITTEES APPOINTED. They Will Ascertain the Meeds of the Peo ple and Report To-Day. OIL Cur, June 6. Special. Dictator Scott reports that the meeting between the Pittsburg Committee and that of Oil City in the Oil Exchange terminated most satisfactorily at midnight. Johnstown places were cited as examples, and doubtless the method of relief will be similar. A committee of Pittsburgers was ap pointed, consisting ot Captain J. J. Van dergrift, John Eaton, President Oil "Well Supply Company; George Heard, of the Natural Gas Company of West Virginia, to go to Titusville in the morning, where they will confer with the citizens as to their needs and the best manner of satisfying them. This sub-committee will report to the remainder ot the committee in Pittsburg to-morrow. The Oil City Committee was composed of G. B. Ilukill, Chairman; W. V. Miller, Secretary; H. H. Stevenson, Treasurer; O. P. Swisher, H. H. Bead and John Klein and J. B. Scott, President. FOOD FOB THE STJPEBSHIIOTJS. A Clond Placed on an ISxpress Run That Was in Great Drminil. OIL Crrr, JuneG. Special A singular coincidence is connected with the calamity here that will doubtless give food to the superstitious for many days. The Adams Express Company has been using the Alle gheny Valley Bailroad for the last 20 years without an accident until last Friday when Messenger Metz was killed and Mes senger Kelson was injured,and was followed in such quick succession with the horrible death of John O'Leary. Heretofore the position has been consid ered a sinecure on this account by the ex press messengers from all parts of the country, and a run on the Oil City route was desired by all men of the express business, but now that the record ot peace has been broken with such deadly effect there Is doubt in the minds of the more superstitious, regarding the desirability of the runs and some men hesitate. Db Witt's Little Early Risers. No griping, . no pain, no nausea: easy pill to take. WRECKAGE. SiFHHIS. Fire Breaks Out in a Steam Still but It Is Kept Irom Spreading. BELIEF FOE THE NEEDY Forwarded to tlie Committee Telegraph From Many Points. by RAILROADS TIED UP BY BREAKS. Washouts A" Along the Une That Will Tase Pars to Kepair. SCRAPS OP NEWS FROM TIIE SAD SCENE FHOM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT. Titusville, June 6. At -about 10:40 o'clock to-day a steam still burst into flames at the International Oil "Works, and the service of the department was required at that point The direction of the wind from the west rendered the work of guard ing two adjacent stills comparatively easy and prevented a spread of the flames to the what is left of the Bice, Bobinson & Foggan refinery and tannery. The still belched forth its black smoke and flames during the whole day, and an ever changing crowd of spectators watched them as they thrust skyward their fierce forks. The fire was confined to the place of origin. The loss swells the aggregated amount. At Boughton, one mile below here, the 19 wells owned by Messrs. J. P. Crosley and John McKay are entirely washed away with all the dwelling houses, probably 20 in that section. Late this evening the following contribu tions were sent in by wire: Miller Sibley, Franklin, Pa $ 500 Bear Creek Keflnins Co., Flttsburz 503 wirt& Co , Chicago 500 Dalzeli Bros., Tittsburg. 250 200 D. O'Dav, New York F.irrar&Trelt, Buffalo Gooree E. Jenkins & Co., Chicago. Samuel Stewait, Pleasantville Union Distillers Co., Cincinnati... 200 100 30 25 $2,325 Ghon's Flock to tho c?ne. Early this morning it was discovered that Polander ghouls were stealing and breaking open trunks and boxes at the eastern end of the city. The military company was or dered out and has been patrolling the entire district. Guards have been instructed to shoot down the thieves without parley if caught in the act of stealing. A telegram was received this morning from Governor Pattisnn asking what aid could be rendered by the State Department. Beply was made that the needs were many and great, and that none of the reports sent out Had been exag gerated. Unprincipaled characters of the city who were not affected in the lexst have been taking advantage of the Belief Committee, and many cases -are reported of such people applying for food and clothing. All railroad communication to or from the city was shut off early Saturday even ing. The first train arriving came in over the UunKirE, Allegheny Valley and Pitts burg Bailroad at 8 o'clock Monday evening. The train could only get as far as East Titusville, two miles awav, on account of the large amount of the debris on the tracks. 1 Passengers werj brought from there to the city in carriages. Up to 10 o'clock to-night the contributions amounted to 510,000 and as much more is expected by to-morrow night. The victims of this great calamity are of the poorer classes exclusively. The nation alities of the dead are German, Irish and Hebrew. These i ationalities predominate, but there are others. Railroads in a Washcd-Ont State. J. O'Neil, locomotive engineer on the W. N. Y. & P., accompanied by Mr. John Plannagan, fireman on the same road, came down on horseback this morning from Spartansburg. Their report of the con dition of the W. N: Y. & P. show-that it will be weeks at least before it can be operated by through train between this point and Corry. On the first reverse curve out of" Corry there are 30 rods of track hanging in the air, the embankment being washed out. The Stewarts trestle is all gone. At Scott and Aiken's mill turther down there is a washout ot the filling or bed ot 2U0 feet. At Bobert's Bun 300 feet of the track is carried out on the field. At Spartansburg 20 feet of the track are gone and on the south end the railroad trestle is hanging in the air. At this place the hide house of the Belona tannery was swept by the flood down the creek and 800 hides were scattered. They are hanging on the fences and the brush. Thompson & Eldred, of Spartansburg, lost 400 or 500 logs and big piles of lumber were swept along the strong tide bodily. Mr. O'Neil reports that several cul verts are washed away between Spartans burg and Soutbwick. The Southwick bridge is gone and 200 feet more of roadbed is gone on the south side. Local freight 55, which left Titusville at 4 o'clock Saturday, is tied up at Spartansburg bound southward. On the north side 13 cars and a coach were washed away, 200 feet on each side floated off and part of the train upset The passenger train that left Titusville Saturday night for Corry is tied at Corrv. The trestle at Gray's mill is all gone and the track wash-d out, also the track at Myers switch. The telegraph wires are grounded and twisted along the road, breaking connection. Mr. B. H. Murdoik, agent at Corry, thinks no train will pas3 over the Pittsburg and Erie road before lhursaay. His Whole Family Ferlrhtd. Frank Haebn, afed 17 years, was working at Grand Valley at the time of the fire. When he returned he found that the flood and fire had robbed him of his mother, three beautiful sisters, one brother, eight cousins, three aunts and one uncle. His aged grand parents are his ouly surviving relatives. The Dunkirk, Allegheny Valley and Pittsburg Biilroad has 1G0 men at work clearing away the great mass of wreckage at the west end of town, and it is thought a large number of bodies will be found to morrow. Forty people have been lost in the Third ward alone, whose bodies have not been fonnd. The relief committee met in executive session at 4 o'clock Monday afternoon for general business. A contribution of 2,000 nas announced from David McKelvy, of the Tide Water Pipe Company. Dr. Varian reported that the burial committee, consist ing of the ministers ot the city, was anxious to have the Board of Health give orders tor the speedy burial of the dead, as many bodies were fast decomposing, and if neglected too long might cause an epidemic The Board ot Health did not thiuk they had the power to issue an edict for the prompt burial of the dead. In some cases the undertakers had embalmed some ot the bodies and such proceeding was re ported to the committee, which ordered that the embalming be stopped, as the ex pense of burial must be kept as low syi possible. In consultation with the undertakers it was found that $25 each would be a fair estimate lor the complete burial expenses. The Belief Committee then instructed the Burial Committee to use $25 of the relief fund for the burial of each body, and of course the relatives could add as much to that amount as they saw fit for extras and better caskets. Several of the victims are Hebrews and in that case their friends provided plain pine boxes according to their custom, which did away with the expense of caskets. At the request of the Ladles' Aid Society they were authorised to Appoint a regular purchasing committee to buy provisions and other necessities at the expense of tlie Be lief fund. Mr. Pntterfield, of the Oil Citv Juel Sup ply Company, was on the ground yesterday. The break of" the main line was repaired on the Southside and gas was turned on for Pleasantville. It is hoped by Tuesday night that consumers can be furnished with gas as usual and to that end the utmost ex ertions will he made. Hardly any more loss is more sensibly felt as most families are without wood or coal for their stoves and their stoves have been fitted up for the use of gas. No Mails Received Since Saturday. Postmaster Shattuck says that the out going and incoming mails of Titusville had been stopped since Saturday night at 5:50 o'clock, and the mails on the train bound for Corry were brought back by teams to this city. The mail that left here was dispatched to-night over the D., A. V. & P. E. R. at 8 o'clock, being delivered to East Titusville, a dis tance of two miles, the load being 13 heavy sacks, the largest in number and weight ever sent out from this citv at a single mail. Postmaster Shattuck wired the Chicago clerk, Miller, of this division at Buffalo and asked that the railroad postoffice clerk, Mr. T. Eoves, be detailed to come here and take charge of the mail, which request was at once complied with. TRIP OF THE RELIEF TRAIN. THERE WAS BUT A SINGLE SAND WICH ON HOARD FOR LUNCH. The Starving Benefactors Final'y Find Re freshments A Journey Th.it Resembled the Memorab'e Excursion to Johnstown Three Tears A:o. FROM A STAFF COKKESPOXDEXT Oil City, Jane 6. The experiences of the memorable relief trip to Johnstown three years since were revived to-day. At 3:30, arr hour enrlier in the day than the Johnstown relief train left, that for Oil City steamed out of Union station. It was a difficult matter to run the special through. Exasperating delays began even at Union Station yards, in Pittsburg, and freight cars held the lines. The right of way belonged to other trains. It wa3 only by a series of dodgings that any headway was gained at first and then it took 45 minutes to make the run be tween town and Forty-third Street Station. From Forty-third Street Station the run was better until we met the excursion trains. At Parnassus David McCargo came on board when the reins of power were relinquished to him by Passenger Agent Anderson. The train righted itself between West Penn Junction and Kitt.in ning, making the 1G intervening miles in 19 minutes. At Kittanning a pause for sandwiches, and then another sunerb run and Bed Bank was reached, 19 miles being covered in 22 min utes. From that point speed sensibly de creased, and when Oil City was reached it was 9:20 o'clock, and the distance had taken almost six hours to cover. The train had left Pittsbnrg in the sun light, had paled into twilight, that deep ened into darkness and the summer day had been transformed into a fresh June evening. Six hours lay between Pittsburg, "prosper ous and peaceful at home," and Oil City with its hundreds of homeless onesand heroes, but yet hardly guessed. The long run necessi tated a thought of luncheon. Only one package of sandwiches was on board. Every one mentally wished for the titbit but nobody openly claimed it The hungry men when the little bundle done up in the paper was hanging eagerly watched to see its fate, while those facing in the opposite direction watched as eagerly its reflected fate in the mirror. Dignity vanished in the face of hunger. The Director sat in his shirt sleeves. The Mayor at every station made a rush lor tlie restaurant, or its excuse, which principally does business along here. At Kittanning the Mayor, after foraging, came on with a pile of sandwiches whose base rested near his waist and its apex against his chin. A telegram an ticipated our arrival- at Foxburg and there a box of luncheons was hastily passed througli the window. Coffee fol lowed and tea and finally the height of luxury was reached, when Major Logan appeared with a jar of " inustard. He was the host, for haying real ized at an early hour that Oil City was not to be reached by dinner time, he tele graphed to Hulton, and, thanks to him, there were hard boiled eggs, cold meats and other things that ordinarily we would call bad, but which tasted under the present circumstance like very good livin? indeed. Maeion CKAwronD Gallatiee. LOSSES THAT WERE INSURED. A list ofScmo Who Were Fortunate Enough to I'rovldo Against Fire. Titusville, June 6. Special Fol lowing is a correct copy of the insurance so far as gathered, carried by the various losers: With Bates & "Wheeler, International Oil "Works, 55,500; Crescent Oil "Works, 56,000; Oil Creek Itefining "Works, 14,900; Eice, Robinson & Foggan, 513,141 60; S. Bryan, Jr., 55,400; H. Blow, 58,033 33; H.' Cohen, 1,600; John Haehn, 5300; Lena Jacobs, 5500; Fred Motzer, 51,200; J. C. Cullen, 51,300; Enos Speigel, 5500; Fanny Marks, 51,500; J. Shepperd, 51,000; P. Guttman, 5200; L S. Jones & Co., 52,000; Mrs. a "Wolfe, 52,500; B. Murray, 5500. With Barber & Cooley: John Schwartz, & Co., 5100,000; Titusville Itadiator Com pany, 579,500; Caspersen & Rowe, 56,600; International Oil Works, 55,500;' J. W. Haehn, 51.000; E. C. Bartholomew, 51,300; Oil Creek Refinery, 52,500; W. Hann, 5850; D., A. V. & P. R. R., 52,000; C. Wilson & Son, 52,000; Sarah Biiigenhcimer, 5300; Elizabeth McKenzie, 5800; Catherine Rilev, 51,200; Edwards Bros., 5250; I. S. Jones & Son, 51,000; S. V. Haehn, 5750; S. S. Brvan, Jr., & Co., 5500; Stephens & Co., 51,500; Mr. Fred Reidhan, 51,000 accident insurance in the Travelers' placed but a short time ago while working in the tan nery; C. Bartholomew will draw 515 a week iorhis injuries covered by a Travelers' policy; Hiram Blow, 55,000;" John Meising, 51,000. ESTIMATE OF OIL CUT'S LOSS Opinions Differ, But It Will Likely Exceed a Million Dollars. Oil City, June 6. Specia'. There is a wide diversity of opinion regarding ,the total loss bv fire and flood and it is difficult to get anything authentic. The total insurance has been obtained, and will be found to come to about 5100,000, while the loss mav exceed 51,000,000. A BLOODY BATTLE AT BT0CKDALE. One Mao KUIocI and Scvrral Wounded in a Ilrawl Among Foreigners. Monarch, Washington County, Pa., JuneG. Word has just reached here of a fatal riot which occurred at the mining town of Stockdale, several miles from here, Sunday morning. A lot of Hungarians who bad been drinking all day gathered in a boarding house and started a free-for-all fight. Superintendent Charles W. Bray nell was called in and tried to quell the trouble, but was thrown out of the house. The pistols were drawn and several shots fired. One Hungarian was shot in the head aud instantly killed, while three Slavs were wounded. One woman in the party was shot through the arm. Finally the riot assumed such proportions that word was telegraphed to Washington, Pa., for the sheriff's assistance. A posse of citizens surrounded the place, but were driven away by the furious foreigners, who carried away their wounded and escaped. Thedead man was left lying on the floor. He is a miner, name unknown, and every effort is being made to find the murderers, with but poor sucoesi, at the foreigners say they know nothing ot the affair. MEASURES FOR AID, How Sweet Charity Is Smil ing Through the Tears in Two Cities. MONEY NOW POUBING IN, And Food, Clothing and Shelter Pro Tided for the Sufferers. LADIES TAKING A LEADING PART In the Movements Looking' Toward the Alleviation of the Poor. BIG CIIF.CKS SENT WITH" CONDOJjENCE Titusville, Junl 6. Special. As soon as the extent of the appalling nature of the disaster became apparent active measures for immediate relief of the destitute were taken. The large armory of the military company, the City Hall and other public buildings were thrown open and as early as daylight the generous hearted people of the oil region began to bring food and pro visions. At noon a meeting of the citizens was held and permanent officers elected. All re mittances should be made to E. C Hoag, treasurer, care Commercial Bank. The card issued to the Associated Press is bringing in mqniries by the hundreds and several large donations have been made. The W. N. Y. & P. R. R. contributes 5500, Miller & Sebley, of Franklin, sent 5500. The total amount subscribed up to this hour is 50,250. The noble citizens of Johnstown sent word that active measures were bcincr taken to send fnnds. J. Mellon & Sons, bankers of Pittburjr, sent a tele gram to John L. JIcKinney expressing sympathy and stating that prompt meas ures were being taken to raise funds for the oil region sufferers. Widespread Distress Certain. The distress that must result from the widespread damace from tlie flood and fire will require a very large amount of money. Hundreds of families are entirely "destitute, and until employment for them can be found they will have to be cart d for by the relief committee. The City Hall has been made headquarters for the Ladies' Relief Committee, and hundreds of the women ot the city are busily at work providing cloth ing for the people. A report was current this morning that John D. Rockefeller, of the Standard o'l Company, had sent 5100,000, but Mr. Joseph Seep, one of the directors of fhe Standard, states that the report is not true. He says that the Standard will undoubtedly make a very liberal contribution. There scsras to be an impression that the extent of the disaster has been overstated, but the awfulness of the calamity has not not vet been half told. The people of Titusville have always been large contribu tors, aud in their present need there ought to be a generous response from all over the country. Relief Corps Fpsetll'y Orranlzscl. The relief meeting held at the City Hall yesterday noon has developed into grand magnitude and messages from the Jlayors of nearly every city in the Union are pouring in with oflers of relief and succor. Quarters have opened for the poor and homeless for food, clothing and lodging and the benevolent ladies of the city are on hand to render all possible relief at Com pany "IC" Armory and at Music Hall which ha3 been procured for that purpose. Titusville gave 515,000 to Chicaio on the occasion of their great fire, 5,000 to the Johnstown flood sufferers, 52,000 to the South at the time ot the yellow tever epi demic, $1,500 to the recent Russian famine fund and has aluavs responded to all de mands upon the public sympathy when oil towns have been in distress or extreme need. The following card is issued to the public: Oiirsnirerintrand destitution .Is terrible. Great loss of lite and do-trnction of prop erty. A larco portion of our mnnnfuctur- Ins interests wiped out liy flood mid Are. Hundreds of families homeless and desti tute. Wo appeal to a generons public for lielp in this onr time of distress. William SIcNaiujhton. Piesidcnt Select Council; W. B. Benedict. President Common Council; Iaac Wistticimcr, President School Board; II. C. Eloss, editor Herald: Joseph Sep. John L. JfcKinnnv, J. A. Cadwalarler, J. c. JIcKinney, J. J. JlcCrnm. licmittances can be made to Mayor E. O. Emerson, the Com mercial Bank. J. L. McKinniiy, President of tho Second -National Bank': L. Iv. Hyde, cashier, or KogerShermati, Esq., Chairman ltelier Committee. Steps Taken to Prevent Plaiue. Yesterday at the citizens relief meeting it was requested that the ladies pres ent should organize to co-operate with the citizens in their charitable work. Acting upon this request they at once adjourned and formed themselves into an organization with the following officers: Chairman, Mrs. II. M. Hall; Secretary, Mrs. W. H. Bevans. The following committees were appointed: On distribution of charities, Mrs. S. P. Bover, Mrs. Dickinson, Mrs. B. F. Edwards, Mrs. D. F. Colestock, Mrs. William McKanghton, Mrs. Joseph Seep, Mrs. Henry Seep, Mrs. Fleming, Mrs. Mc Namara, Mrs. R. H. Boughton, Mrs. E. J. Palmer. The following explains itself: Whebkas, Application has been made to the Board of Health by clergymen, under takers and friends for its action in respect to the burial of the dead in the recent calamitj-, whereupon it is Reolvcd, That no action of this board is found necessary at this time, but in so far as Its advisory action may bo deemed proper, it recommends speedy intermentofthedrad as soon as the Coroner's jury hasflnished Its investlsatfons, and all necessary liberty to that end is accorded. By order of the Board of Health. W illiax VAniAX, President. CHARITY TO THE RESCUE. Prompt .Relief tVorlc at OH City Cash Pouring In 830,000 Now on Hand .Ladies Xol y ut Work Tho Calamity a I.eTPler. Oil City, June C Special The Oil City Belief Association, in whose hands the direction of the work has been put, met at 9 o'clock tljis morning at the office of N. Clark and proceeded with the arrangements for extending assistance and collecting funds for that purpose. For each ward committee member, as appointed at Sunday evening's meeting, a paper was drawn up to be circulated for subscriptions. The associa tion decided toas3ume the expense of fitting up o temporary building in the Paul block, on Seneca street. The ladies representing the Relief Associ ation committees in the several wanls held a meeting at 9:30 o'clock nt the office of George I. Hukill. Each of the three mem bers of the comniittce in each ward was ap pointed with as many more of the ladies of the city as will do so to solicit supplies of all kinds, to be left at relief headquar ters, No. 210 Center street. Excellent work is being done. Charity Softening the Sorrow. The whole city to-day is a city of charity and sorrow. Jlany messages making con tributions and extending condolence have been received. The members of the various churches, true to their promises, have ex tended the use of their homes and individ ual service in aid of the injured and home less, and at the present time selfishness is not a known quantity. Men in broadcloth and ladies in silks vied with the man in rubber boots and gray and greasy overalls in the work of rescue. The citizens of Franklin were prompt in their proffers of assistance, and many came here working like natives in fighting fire and assisting the wounded. Upon Center street, near the Allegheny Valley Railroad tracks, the Oil City Relief Association have their headquarters in a ! storeroom. To one sida of the main en trance are seated the iinance committee, and they are mainly receiving cash, checks and promissory notes. The amount of cash now on hand is about 530,000. Upon the other side of the entrance a counter and shelves have been placed in position. This constitutes the receiving and distributing department. Behind the counter are sta tioned a dozen prominent ladies of the town, who are busily engaged in attending to the immediate wants of the sufferers in the way of supplying clothing and the other necessaries of life. For the Widow and tha Orphan. An impromptu meeting of the L O. O. F., of Oil City, was held in tho lodge room of 589, for the purpose of perfecting arrange ments for taking care ot their dead and in jured brothers, known as the L O. O. F. Relief Corps. The committee appomiea to care for the dead consists of J. H. Fulmer, I). S. Davis. T. C. McCoy. H. IC Mohr, T. W. Stewart, J. S. M. Shearer, W. H. Da vis. Committee" to care for the injured: E. J. Ross, AY. T. IC Smith, J. P. Rhor bacher, Charles Neidick, G. W. Fry, J. C. Lowe, If. A. Sassman, Jacob Simon, W. H. Aungst, S. H. Hoskins, F. A. Doddington, D. E. Keller, J. T. Bennett, George E. Rarer, Otto O. Koeber, William Mc Kenna, William Kramer, J. D. Helmers, J. Eulander, John Arron, George Folez. The suggestion was made that the secretary of eachT lodge bring before his individual lodge the question of special relief. The physicians of Oil City have also come nobly to the front, aud are treating the large nnmber of wounded and injured victims gratuitously. Working with them are many ladies, who gave what aid is in their power by nursing. Telegrams from all parts ot the country are being received at intervals expressing sympathy and con dolence, and in many instances trie commu- nications are accompanied by checks or drafts. Among the larger contributions are two from the Bear Creek Refining Com pany for 5500 each, and one from J. J. Van dergrift for 5500. THE DEAD ALIVE. ASm-iIl Boy Found After IleTVns Supposed to Have Keen Drowned. Frank Keefer, who lives on Thirty-eighth street, was in bathing at the foot of Thirty fifth street yesterday and being caught by the current was washed down to the Black Diamond Steel Works. In the meantime, his clothes hail been found on the bank and it was thought he had been drowned. Grappling irons were secured and the river was dragged. He was finally found at the steel works sitting contentedly near a fur nace by his overjoyed brothers and taken home. Trusses, Etc. Carefnl flttlnir of trusses, supporters, shoulder braces, artificial limbs, etc. Arti ficial Limb Company, 909 Penn avenue, near Ninth street. Pittibnrg. Open on Saturday evenin" until 9 o'clock. -- ONE MONTTTUF BARGIANS AT GROETZINGER'S IN Carpets, Curtains, Mattings, Rugs, Etc. We begin taking Stock on July 1. To lessen the labors of that occasion wo will offer special Inducements to buyers fn every department during tho entire month of June. Onr hiz stock of Bemnants went out In a hurry, but we are making more every day. and will coutinuo to sell them at ONE THIKU theiractual value. Jloqnette Carpet3, 15 to 40 yards long, at C3c to 83c a yard. Tapestry Brussels, 10 to 40 yards Ion?, at 40e a yard up. Ingrain Carpets, 13 to 30 yards Ion?, at 20a a yard up. 200Hol!s China Matting at $3 per roll of 40 yards. 100 P.olls China Matting at $5. We still havo aDont 75 pairs of tho SILK CURTAINS AT $9 A PAIR, WOP.TII $16. mo Large Fur Bugs, in Wolf, Black Goat at 2 SO, worth $5. Fox and, 627 AND 629 PENN AVE. my29-TTSsa FINE STATIONERY, ENGRAVING AND PRINTING. W. V. DERMITT & CO., 39 SIXTH A.VESVS. ap9-TT33a BIBER & EAST0N. DRESS FABRICS, INDIA SILKS, WASH GOODS, PARASOLS, GAUZE UNDERWEAR. SEASONABLE. COOL. CHEAP. Our stock of Wool, Silk and Cot ton Dress Fabrics is almost without limit. All are of this season's im portation, fine in quality and artistic in style. Purchasers who have de layed the selection of their SUMMER WARDROBE will find the best ma terials for the price of commonplace goods during this early June sale. We call SPECIAL ATTENTION to our offering of PLAIN AND PRINTED INDIA SILKS at 45c, 50c, 65 c, 75 c These are wide, serviceable, cool and in every senss the most desirable Dress Material for the coming hot weather. OUR WASH MATERIALS Embrace all the newest texture3. colorings and .designs from Challies at 5c to exquisite French printings and weaves at 25c and upward. Examine our wide range at i2jc and'isc. IN OUR CLOAK DEPARTMENT. The choicest shapes and ideas in Blazers, Jackets and Lace Wraps. India Silk, Satine, Percale and Lawn Waists. Children and Baby Outfits. Muslin and Gauze Underwear from low to finest grades. Parasols, Parasols, Parasols. Newest Shapes and Colorings. BIBER &I1ASTON, M5 AND 507 1IAKKKT ST. jeS-raan 1 1 m :. ..'.,..' I .. .'-.' h2wa
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers