TERRIBLE
DESTRUCTION!
FIRE RAGING IN FORESTS STUDDED WITH OIL
WELLS AND TANKS.
TWO OIL TOWNS
ASCEND IN SMOKE.
McKean County Miner
May 13, 1880
The terrible fires of the past week which have visited and devastated
some of the oil towns of this country are unprecedented in their work
of destruction. The charred and blackened ruins in and around Rew City,
Rixford, Knapp’s Creek, Coleville, State Line, Rock City and other
places show the fearful work of destruction which has been going on during
the past few days. Rew City and Rixford have been nearly swept away by
the fire fiend, and the suffering naturally following such dreadful events
is beyond the power of any one to conjecture. Rarely has the country been
called upon to witness so destructive a conflagration, spread over such
a large field in the same length of time. Had those fires all been planned,
and the torch of an incendiary applied, the simultaneousness of the conflagrations,
in some instances, could not have been more perfect. We give below a brief
account of these fires as gathered from trustworthy sources and exchanges
in the immediate vicinity in which they occurred.
REW CITY.
First to notice is the total destruction of Rew city, a town of only about
four months growth, which, situated as it is, on the summit of the ridge
dividing Kendal Creek and Cole Creek, high and dry, would appear to have
so many advantages over the towns situated in the valleys where burning
oil from the tanks on the hills above could pour down upon them, that
its changes of immunity from fire appeared far superior to its sister
towns; but it is now a thing of the past. It appears that sparks from
a boiler near the town, set fire to Fisher & Pickett’s well
No. 6, and that the flames, fanned by the high wind prevailing traveled
with incredible rapidity over the intervening distance, devouring underbrush
and timber until they reached the town, where the forked tongues of the
flames licked up building after building, leaving the inhabitants of the
place barely time to escape if they endeavored to save a vestige of their
household goods, and the dense smoke so confused many of the fleeing people
that it was only the presence of mind of others that saved these panic-stricken
ones from perishing in the flames amid the confusion and desolation that
prevailed. In about three hours the flames had devoured the town and property
to the amount of over $50,000.
Half a mile north of Rew City, the same day, the premature explosion of
a torpedo while being lowered in Bradley & Co.’s No. 6 on the
Taylor tract, set fire to the rig and a well adjoining, and the flames
devastated some acres of oil lands with the property on them before stopped.
In Foster Brook the fire started at Gillmor & Co.’s No. 7 at
the foot of the hollow leading to C., B. & H. track into the valley
beyond, and the flames communicated from this section through a portion
of the Willets tract to the western borders of the Borden lands.
A fire also between Oil Valley and Tram Hollow, by which Mr. O. Noble
lost about 400 cords of hard wood, three rigs and receiving tanks.
The summary of rigs destroyed is as follows: In East Branch, 2; Tuna Valley,
6; Kendall Creek, 54; Foster Brook, 101; Tram Hollow, 9; beside which
a large number of tanks and vast quantities of oil were destroyed.
RIXFORD.
Rixford opened the hall on Sunday afternoon, at about four o’clock.
Squire Cline’s housekeeper went into his office and lighted the
gas, which was immediately followed by an explosion, and the flames spread
through the building. In less than one half hour from the time the explosion
occurred the flames had gained such headway that all efforts to save the
town were futile, and the inhabitants turned their attention to saving
what property they could lay hands upon, and succeeded remarkably well
under the circumstances, which were such as “try men’s souls.”
The fire swept Main and Railroad streets on both sides, destroying 80
buildings, valued at about $100,000, on which there was an insurance of
about $85,000, which is distributed among a large number of companies.
There were about 100,000 barrels of oil burned, 62,000 of which was in
tanks belonging to the United Pipes Lines, who entailed a loss not far
from $30,000. Forty derricks were also consumed, together with oil in
small tanks at wells, involving a total loss to owner of from $30,000
to $40,000.
The Kendall & Eldred railroad sustained, in the burning of depot,
cars and track, a loss of about $15,000.
The entire loss for Rixford will probably reach $200,000.
Thirty families are homeless, but with the energy and pluck characteristic
of the citizens of oil region towns, many of them are already making preparations
to rebuild. Several saloons have been opened under shade trees and tents,
and the “ardent” is being dispensed to a thirsty crowd, who,
now that their business is gone, seem to think of nothing else. The post
office is again open for business, and mails will be received and dispatched
as usual.
The rumor that three men were missing proves to be without foundation.
The following buildings are under course of construction or soon will
be: John Kramer, grocery; J. H. Sohanbacher, Yeomans House; J. K. &
G. Mitchell, grocers; H. E. Dickenson, P. O.; A. Garvin, blacksmith shop
and residence; Frank Dans, billiard room; John Goodnough, Scranton House;
P. Haran, saloon; A. A. Hopkinks, office; John McKeown, office.
MORE FIRES.
As we go to press news reaches us of the destruction of three more villages
which were last night swept from existence by the terrible fires which
seem destined to annihilate the northern field. Oil Center, Middaughville
and Otto City are the last victims of the destroying element and remain
longer only in name, while Duke Center is in constant fear being the next.
The losses by these fires cannot be estimated at this writing, but must
be immense. |
