The evening world. Newspaper, March 10, 1903, Page 1

” i | SPORTING NEWS r— PRICE ONE CENT. SHOWER OF FIERY OIL POURS OVER AOWD: 16 DEAD, "Tank Cars on an Erie Train Collide, Then There Is a Fire, After Which One of the Cars Explodes and Scat- ters Death Into a Crowd of Young People Watching the Spectacle. ‘Many Victims Run Blazing from Scene —Rescuers Kept Back by the Intense Heat and Fear of Further Explosions —Great Crowd Watches Progress of Horror. (Special to The Evening World.) OLEAN, N. Y., March 10.—With the force of grape shot fired from an enormous cannon, a mass of twisted iron, followed by a shower of blazing oil, was scattered by an exploding tank car through a crowd of one hundred persons here last night, killing sixteen, seriously injuring four and inflicting minor injuries upon more than thirty others, Nearly all of the victims were boys, sacrificed to a boyish desire to be as near as possible to a splendid fire spectacle. For more than an hour after the accident the bodies of the dead lay where they had fallen, distinctly outlined in the blinding white light to the thousands who stood upon the hillsides surrounding the scene. The heat was so intense that the fire was allowed to burn itself out before rescuers cous. begin the work of recovering the dead. Seldom has an accident of such extent had a more picturesque setting. It was as though nature had arranged a place for the audience. Hills and rolling ground surround the spot, which is on the Erie Railroad tracks about a quarter-of# intie from the Olean Station and close to the bridge over Olean Creek. The track runs on a high embankment for a mile at this point, and the low ground on each side is covered with water. TWO PARTS OF TRAIN COLLIDE. An extra freight train on the Erie broke in two shortly before 8 o'clock last night between Hinsdale and West Olean. When the engineer with the first section of the train stopped here to take water the rear seotion plunged into it, It happened that the first four cars on this rear section were of the familiar tank variety loaded with ofl. The car that struck the freight train was full of kerosene, which caught fire, The other three cars were full of gasoline. The fire lit up the country for miles around, and all of Olean went out to see it, crowding the hillsides and the high ground. The engineer of the freight train hurried the first section away from the blaze, and the track that had been occupied by this part of the train was pre-empted by about five hundred venturesome men and boys from the town, who approached @s near as the heat would allow them to the fire, FROM OTHER TOWNS TO VIEW THE BLAZE. After about an hour the second car took fire. There was a small ex- plosion, but no damage was done to the spectators. The sight was then a magnificent one. Flames waved high in the air like flery banners, The sky reflected the light for miles and miles. Farmers came from the coun- try round about and people from towns up and down the Erie Road hur- ried to Olean. But even the most magnificent spectacle gets monotonous and after three hours many of those who had gone to see the fire bad departed for their homes. Especially was this true along the railroad track, for only about one hundred venturesome spirits remained there to see the third car catch fire, Away out on the bluffs could be seen black masses of people. The third car caught fire at 11 o'clock. At first the turret blew off and ‘round sheet of flame shot into the air 100 feet. Intense heat was gener- @.ed and the crowd on the railroad track fell back slowly, To this is due the fact that more were not killed, LIKE A GREAT FIERY CANNON. As the crowd on the railroad track retreated with averted faces the end of the third car nearest them blew out with a report that shook all the houses in Olean and aroused the surrounding country. This car acted like ® great cannon, the end and the debris of the other cars corresponding to ON PAGE I 0 f “ Circulation Books Open to All.’ CPt _\ \ Se LOTT & Wau ug | “ Circulation Books Open to All.” ] | NEW YORK, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1903. aIX DIE ON PEST-RIDDEN STEAMSHIP. Karamania, of the Anchor Line, Arrives from Naples and Reports _ Disease Which Resembles Choler DR. DOTY DETAINS STEAMER. Holds Crew and Passengers Until He Finds Out Whether the Ship Is Infected with Asiatic Scourge. missiles fired from its muzsle. The sheet of fire that followed the explosion swept up the track for 600 feet, wrapping the crowd in fire. ‘Those who were close to the car when it exploded were literally blown to pieces, and ag they fell the fierce flame swept over them and almost incinerated their bodies. Those furthest away ran hither and thither along the tracks with their clothes ablaze. Many rolled down the embankment and into the water alongside the tracks on the low ground. Others writhed on the ballast endeavoring to smother the flames, ‘The accident was plainly visible to every one watching the fire from if the hills. To them the flame that shot from the tank car was like @ shaft of light out of a blast furnace, bringing into sickening relief the whole horror of the situation. Those in Olean who had gone back to thelr homes were alarmed by the explosion and hurried to the scene. But none could cross the bridge over Olean Creek. ‘The fourth tank car hed caught fire; the heat was terrific, and in addition there was danger of knother explosion, \ PARENTS IN VAIN TRY TO REACH 7. Mothers and fathers Who knew that their boys had cEREE BOYS, track near the blazing cars made frantic efforts to cross the bridge, that | they might search among the bodies so plainly in sight along the tracks i ‘They were restrained by policemen, who would allow none near tho wreck i until danger of another explosion had passed, | It was after midnight before volunteers with atretchers dared v. | #940 the danger sone. As they Approuched the blase the strong white light (Continued ou Second Page.) The Anchor liner Karamania, which arrived to-day ¢rom Naples reported six deaths on board from a disease which Health Officer Doty declared this afternoon resembled cholera. “All of the symptoms," eid Mr. Daty, “are ho similar to those of cholera that I propose to keep the vessel, crew and passengers ae if it were certain. ‘The passengers, 783 in number, will be transferred to Hoffman Island and will be detained there until I am sure they are free from infectlon."” When the vessel reached Quarantine it was reported that the deaths were protably due ¢o the existence of noxious gases in one of the compartments. Symptoms in each case were similar— cramps, nausea and collapse. Six in all died—tour passengers and two of the crew. While the Karamanie was steaming from Marseilles for Palermo on Feb. 8 with 733 steerage passengers four of the crew were suddenly taken ill with nau- wea and spasms. Two Died Immediately. Two dled almost immediately. One rushed to the fresh air and recovered. The other fell in trying to reach the deck and he was eent ashore to a hos- pital in Palermo, where the doctors sald the men had been polsoned. On Feb. 21, two days after ailing from Naples, another sallor stepped into the room where the others were taken ill and was found in # etupor, On recover- ing his senses in the ehip's hospital he said he had suffered from nausea. Those who ran In to rescue this man were also affected, but recovered on hing fresh air, The compartment ere the gases were supposed to lurk was then stripped, fumigated and cleansed as thoroughly as possible, al- though none of the crew would venture in. They would run to the goor, throw {n the djginfectants, and then dart back again, The compartment was closed and sealed. ‘A passenger wes found ill in his bunk on Feb. 27, and he was sent to the ghip's hospital, where it was said he wag guffering from gas poisoning, On March 1 two other passengers, whose bunks were near that of the firet one, were atricken suddenly and ied within a few hours. They had cramps in the stomach, nausea and then quick collapse. Two More Passengers Die. ‘The passenger who had been taken to the hospital on March 1 died March 2, ‘and the same day & fourth passenger was found dead in his bunk, showing signs of having suffered intense puin oe og uke passengers had occupied bunks In a part of the ship over the compart had been stripped and closed and in which it che: b ment which trl was believed poison ca} ad been stored. ‘he manifest EO of the ship does not show what disposition was of ee cargo taken from the death cham- ‘All of the dead were buried at eee $5,000 PUT UP FOR BOB BY MAG. FITZ Pugilist’s Wife Is Confident He Can Make Weight and Whip Jack O'Brien, and Posts Forfeit for a Battle, AL SMITH STAKEHOLDER. Ex-Champion Says He Can Get to 158 Pounds and Is Evi- dently Anxious to Meet the Philadelphia Challenger. — Bob Fitzstmmons’s wife, who as Rose Julian was once known as the peer of all feminine athletes, deposited a certi- fled check for $5,000 this afternoon with Al Smith as an evidence of confidence that her husband would whip “Pailadel- phia Jack" O'Brien in a battle for the middle-weight championship of the world. This tn unique in the annals of pugil- fem. It is the first time that a check signed by a woman has been the guar- antee of good faith in a coming prize- fight. Mrs. Fitzsimmons has advised ther husband before. She was at the Carson City ringside when he knocked out Jim Corbett and kept to stop punching Corbett’ play for the body. Fitz looked over a! her, smiled and nodded his head, and within the next ten minutes had landed ry t tae famous solar plexus punch that made him champion of the world. There {s no doubt that Mtasimmons ta anxious to fight somebody, He pub- Uely challenged Ryan.’ Ryan side- stepped and is going to be an instructor for an athletic club and retire from the ring. Then “Philadelphia Jack” O'Brien, who is a game, clever mtddie- weight, made the proposition to Fits. Fits Means Husinens, He insisted upon the middlo-weight limit, 168 pounds, which welght very few people think Fitz can make. But the posting of the forfelt this afternoon shows that Fitz means business, that he 1s confident of getting down to 1658 pounds and that he will fight O'rBien or lone his wife's $5,000, O'Brien and Fitz met yesterday at Pittsburg and articles of agreement were drawn up. They contain the usual de- tails, five ounce gloves, bandages al- lowed and date for bids, The important clauses specify that the contest shall take place in California, and that each man shall deposit $5,000 as a guarantee of good faith, Puts Up Wife's Check, Fitzsimmons and his wife met Al Smith at the Bartholdi Hotel at 1.90 thie afternoon and, surrounded by a big crowd, Fitzsimmons announced his in- tention of depositing his wife's cheok, which Is to be in the nature of a side bet and forfeited if he doos not make his weight, Smith accepted ‘the check and signed the following receipt: New York City, March 10, 1908. 1, Al Smith, ‘the final stakeholder for glove contest between Robert Iitselmmons and Jack O'Brien for the middle-welght champlonship of the world, at 158 pounds half an hour before they enter the ring, do hereby acknowledge the re- cetpt of $5,000 (five thousand dollars) from Mra, Rosalle Fitzsimmons in the ehape of « certified check on the American Exobange National Bank, to be put up as a wide bet for Robert Fitzstm- mona for the eaid contest, AL SMITH. The following telegram was sent to the MRS. BOB FITZSIMMONS, WHO BACKS HER HUSBAND FOR $5.000. ANCHOR Much Alarm Is Felt for Gome anxiety is felt for the safety of the Anchor line steamer thiepia, which salled for this port from Glas- sow on Feb. 2 and Movilie Feb, 2%. Bhe is now five days overdue. The Ethiopia has a number of paseen- gers on board and has not been re- ported since she passed Innishtrahull, Ireland, Feb. 22. A cable despatch from Glasgow to-day says there is much apprehension for the steamer there, CARROLL QUITS TICER SACHEMS, Former Deputy Leader of Tam- many Sends in His Resigna- tion and Will Retire from the Board. VAN WYCK MAY~ QUIT. John F. Carroll eent his resignation Pittsburg Dispatch: Please .notify O'Brien that Fits has deposited as noon as they died. The werd steerage fistel, The ship is be. ing held at Quarantine unull she can be thoroughly inspected. TREPANI IN COURT ON WRIT. Acoused Undertaker Taken There iw Demand that Bail Be Ftxed. Joseph Trepani, the Harlem under- taker who {s accused of conepiracy in the wholesale life insurance frauds re- cently unearthed by Assistant District- Attorney Paul Krotel, was taken before Supreme Court Justice O'Gorman this afternoon, on a writ of habeas corpus, sworn out by Charles G. F. Wahle, He has been in the Tombs a month, and ‘Wahle demanded that ball be fixed. He {s now held on four charges, with an faite of $18,600 ball. js charged with a part in the fraudulent claims of insurance in two Dolloles on the lite of Trumburollo, and one each on Pasco and Annie M, Rosa. TWO POLICEMEN ACCUSED. Nesbit and Barke © Tippiag Of « * Charges of neglect of duty and conduct unbecoming en offlcer were preferred at Police Headquarters to-day againet Po- Hicemen John J. Nesbit and Joseph © Burke, formerly on duty at the Union Market Station, ‘The changes are made througt the Dis trict-Attorney’s office, who accuse the twe men of Upping off a Haster street disorderly house that the old Committee of Fifteen purposed to raid. my & Dainty bags) Dish jet A cca Fae ¥5,000 in my bands as his aide bet for a boxing contest for the middle-weight dhamplonship of the world, both to weigh in Balt an hour before the content, AL SMITH, — PROBING INSURANCE FRAUDS Grand Jury Gets to Werk and Many Indictments May Follow. The Grand Jury began to-day its ex- aménation into the big insurance frauds alleged to have been perpetrated on dif- ferent companies in this city by a gang of Italens. Assistant District-Attorney Paul Krotel has had charge of the in- veetigation and has exhumed several bodies that were buried in the names of other persons upon whom the gang had secured insurance, As the result of the Grand Jury's investigations at least a dosen indict+ mente will be handed in to Judge Cow- ing in General Sessions to-morrow by Foreman William G, Rockefeller, WEATHER FORECAST, Forecast for the thirty-six hours ending at 8 P.M. Wednes- as @ Gachem of the Tammany Society 5 DAYS. ETHIOPIA, OF THE LINE, IS OVERDUE. Safety of the Steamer Which Sailed for this Port from Glasgow on Feb. 21. The Wthiopta ts under command of Capt. Lumsdane. The officials at the offices of the Anchor Iine, No. 19 Broadway, profess that they are not alarmed for the safety of the Ethiopia. She was expected here on Sunday, they say, and are looking for her hourly now, Capt. Luneden is regaried as one of the most careful captains on the sea, The weather has been very rough on the North Atlantic and the officials think he is bringing hie boat along cau- ously, He has ity of and the boat ts in Sxcellent cons Rion to Supreme Court Justice O'Gorman, Grand Sachem, to-day. It will go into effect at the meeting of the Board of Bacheme in April, and rumor has it that former Mayor Van Wyck mill also resign from the Tammany Gociety at the same time.” Mp Carroll is @ millionaire with heavy business interests and is probably out of politics for good. He resigned as Tammany leader of the Twenty-ninth Assembly District @ short time ago and after next month his interest in the Tammany organization will be small. With Carroll and Yan Wyck out, the influence of Charles Murphy, the lead- er of Tammany Hall, will be supreme, Opposition to his appointment as leader me from the Carroll faction. It ts believed that Maurice Blumenthal, re- cently appointed Deputy Attorney-Gen- eral af the request of Leader Murphy, will become a Tammany sachem, suo ceeding Mr. Carroll. GIRL FATALLY BURNED WITH MATCHES; BOY MAY LIVE, [+= : > Honeymeter. five years \ vqirken ihe gr! is dying in the Presbyterian Hospital. The boy, it is believed, will recover. of age, and her brother Wiiie, eb sel © to themselves: and by "7 UID These Honeymeters ave cousins of the father and daughter who committed suicide about two months ago. al eee ee eee Fourth Race—!ove 1, Be Fifth Race—Tom Collins 1, Mi The Route Westward, Sixth Race—Lenny Duffy 1, Ruby 2. Floyd K. 3. | Slipper 2, Velasquez 3, usiog Ray 2; Lofter 3, $$ $200 VERDICT FOR CH ILD BITTEN BY DOG. A verdict of $290 was awarded tn six-year-old: Siganna Hartog, of No. 2 Riverview Terrage. th! afternoon for + eing bitten in the face by John Hyslop’s Newfoundland dog, Jeff. deats., ‘{Commissioner Monroe Asks for an -iMembers of the Board of Aldermen, priation to Enable Him to Make P Tests, and President Fornes and Corpor, tion Counsel Rives Plan Legislation Prevent Excessive Charges. Constituents Are so Sorely Oppressed, pected to Act Quickly in Granting and Passing Ordinances that Will Putting an End to Extortion. Through the efforts of The Evening World the end of ext the part of the Gas Trust is in sight. Robert Grier Monroe, Commissioner of Water Supply, G Electricity; Charles V. Fornes, President of the Board of Alde Corporation Counsel Rives are each to-day interested in plans to 1 gas and gas robbery and these plans will be rushed through with degree of haste allowed by the necessity of making them binding, Mr. Monroe has asked the Board of Aldermen for an of $51,000 to enable him to make frequent and thorough tests of ity of gas supplied by the Trust. Mr. Fornes and Mr. Rives, in ference this afternoon, outlined a scheme by which the gas supp city will be distributed under the supervision of Proper officers of government and for the establishment of a bureau for the it claims of overcharges. CITY OFFICIALS NOW AROUSED. There have been spasmodic attempts made to curb the greed gas monoply, but not until The Evening World persistently and elt showed the extent of the extortion practiced did the officials of become aroused. The thousands of letters received by this new from people who have been robbed constitute a volume of evid is unanswerable. The good results of The Evening World’s crusade are alt parent. Gas bills have been reduced all over the city since this 1 paper took hold of the question, but it is not enough that bills be The quality of gas must be improved and the interests of gas co must be safeguarded. To these objects the officials of the city taken the matter in hand are pledged. wk The increased appropriation asked for by Mr. Monroe will gi opportunity to take hold of the work of inspecting the gas manner that will produce results, Backed up by the laws which put through under the guidance of Mr. Fornes and Mr, Rives | monopoly will have to knuckle down to him, Heretofore, becar lack of facilities and money he has been compelled to knuckle do or less to the gas monopoly and the laws have been so framed as to] per rather than assist him, 4 ALDERMEN MAY SOON ACT, His request for an increased appropriation was listened to As by the Board of Aldermen, for the constituents of every n vitally interested in the gas question. It was referred to the Co on Finance, which will make speedy investigation and report, The Gas Trust has had a hand in framing legislation in its interes for so many years that the work of reform must be done with great Nevertheless there is reason for belief that the relief sought for by of New York can be obtained through the city government and the le Yature before the close of the present session of the law-making body) COMMISSIONER MONROE'S ~ LETTER ON GAS HOLD DEPARTMENT OF WATER SUPPLY, GAS AND ELEC City of New York, 121 Park Row. New York, March 8, Honorable, The Board of Adermen. Gentlemen: Section 619 of the Greater New York Charter, ag the year 1901, makes dt the duty of the Commissioner of this “gause inspections to be made of electric lights furnished to the electric meters and of electric wiring as euch tests may be provided proper appropriation,” algo to “cause tests to be made of all meters n paid olty for measuring or ascertaining the quantity of electricity #4 by any corporation or person in sald city within one year after this: Beotion 628 of that Charter, as ao amended, gequires that “the : ges of any company shall be inspected at least twice a your aud am gpected as frequently aa the Commissioner may think best, but net ‘The inspections thus provided for are to ascertain che Ml ‘and the quality of the gas furnished by every gas company, INADEQUATE FACILI pad Now.