13 May 1902
Page 1
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Newspaper
The Indianapolis Journal
Location
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
Date
May 13, 1902
Page
1
A devastating blast engulfed dozens as a tanker car train exploded at Sheraden yards of the Panhandle Railway in a Pittsburg suburb. Flames swept the area, injuring many and prompting urgent evacuations as firefighters battled the inferno through the night.
A naphtha car explosion at Sheraden yards in Pittsburg caused a catastrophic fire. Dozens died and about 200 were badly burned with physicians warning several may perish. Victims include Albert M Kean, John Swan, H F Smithley, Finnerty, Hertig, and many others from Sheraden Carnegie Esplen and surrounding areas. Fire swelled along Corks Run to Esplen borough wrecking the Seymour Hotel and Collins House. Ambulances and doctors rushed to aid injured as crowds fled the flames and authorities tallied the toll.
In Pittsburg on May 12 a heavy freight train with ten tank cars carrying refined petroleum and naphtha was misrouted during switching near Cork's run. A broken naphtha car released flammable liquid. ignition from a lit switch light caused explosions, engulfing nearby coke and lumber cars and forcing escapes. Clyde Fare of Sheraden was seriously injured as flames spread through the yard and prompted a mass evacuation.
Congress voted 200000 for relief of West Indian sufferers after a presidential appeal. Indianians ran the measure. Underwood opposed. The House approved 196 to 9, sending the bill to the Senate for immediate action and then to the White House for signing. The effort aims to transport and distribute provisions to the stricken Martinique and nearby islands.
A vivid account recalls explosions and burning tanks flooding a Pittsburgh area with fire and oil. Surgeons aid the injured as relief measures surge through Congress with a $500,000 aid request and quick Senate passage despite some opposition, following a French request to assist Martinique after a massive disaster.
The Journal will publish a complete description of the Soldiers Monument in permanent form on Thursday May 15. The souvenir will be richly illustrated with views and a history, plus a facsimile of James Whitcomb Riley’s manuscript poem The Soldier. It will include Riley's hymn The Messiah of the Nations. Bound in strong paper, printed on plate paper, and offered at ten cents by mail or at the counting room. orders to the Journal counting room.
The president directs a joint relief effort for the An10 disaster as Congress debates funding. Hay and Root instructed, Ayme’s consular report confirms extent, Treasury to cooperate with revenue cutters and Marine Hospital Service medical officers. War Department leads on supplies though transport limited by the Sedgwick. Continuous note from the Dixie training cruise references.
May 12 Fort de France report details Mont Pelee eruption destroying St Pierre within ten minutes. Thirty thousand perished. rescue teams report thousands more in suburbs spared by lava. Fires consumed corpses to prevent pestilence as US ships carry aid to Martinique survivors.
The American consul at Guadeloupe, Louis Ayme, confirms the catastrophic eruption and destruction of St Pierre. Reports describe a cyclone of fire and mud sweeping the town, widespread corpses, ash rains, and psuedo gas-infested waters with shattered ships and a near-total ruin of the city.
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