North Carolina Newspapers

L-RSDAY THE WAYNESVILLE MOUNTAINEER Page 7 (t JULY 16, 1942 Sidelights Of Community's Worst Calamity . minutes after the VithiB I""' ''' ,,i -hanter n G Hammeiw snd'j- C Brown, disas rB1. ' .wiine into action. L,hTpt r provided a home for k and family, and kht VvLi ; addition to hav- :Tr clothes dry cleaned, as ,c i nmp necessary furn- CKXji in aaaiuon w ut lotbes dry cleaned, as nfit for use bv -pre ma"c " - ,r r wllicn "i Wi.v5 made homeless . 1 i. ffpred assistance Dy ine cuy- y Red Cross Chapter Right On Job to stay with relatives for the pres ent The Red Cross also aided in getting familes together, after they had become separated during the fire. J. C. Brown, is asking all per sons who have any household equipment or kitchen utensils that they are not using to make some contributions to those who lost everything in the fire on Tuesday morning. Anyone wishing to make such a contribution is asked to get in touch with Mr. Brown on Pigeon street, phone 425-M, Utt- families kat had made News Of Explosion Traveled Fast .u . .j .usfr s Dread thick kwsoi i , height o'clock, newspapers, stations and news services calling in for all available filiation. . in m the story 's '' - t,,oehout the aay, nt page headlines on papers out'hoit tne couniiy. )u bare iacis ui mo sj cleared by nine, anu uieu uo-',h.-nne tedious task of as hling bits of news from here there for the complete story "hat happened. Almost every U to he carefully followed ke news-staff of The Mountain- Plosion until late 'luesaay nigm :henr.p reporter out' Tuesday morning, and in company with a representa tive of The Mountaineer, spent the day getting facts. With but a few hours of rest and sleep, the reporters stayed on the job of sifting rumors and facts, and getting a picture story of what took place. The transport truck was blasted against a string of empty rail road gondola cars with such force, that the track was knocked out of line by several feet. One of the wooden cars was still burning Tues- dav &hnnt 10 nVlnrb- whori q train presented a new angle, which crew moved it away. information for this per as well as news agencies cohtinmd to can lor more. Thf Asheville uuzen-limes Lt a special photographer and A number of photographers ventured close to the flames for the sake of a picture. A number of cameras were clicking Tuesday as the thick black smoke hung like a curtain over the plant site. Ihy don't you try Jianging up an av erage week's washing some time, Mister? pen a he-man would be I tired out after a big day's washing. Yet many a he- jman expects his wife to do the job he wouldn't tackle for love or money. Besides, housewives have plenty of other work to do. WAYNESVILLE LAUNDRY PHONE 205 At the time of the second ex plosion, a Hazelwood woman ran for her car, only to find a large man, with his face buried in the seat, trying to muffle the noise. She kept going, and got into an other car. Policemen warned people Tues day about getting too close to the buring oil, as another explosion might come any minute. "Some ventured near the scene, appar ently giving no concern to the dan gers made by the burning oil. ; The back yard of Mrs. P. L. Turbyfill's. residence afforded an unobstructed view of the holocaust early Tuesday morning, but little did the sixty people realize that they were standing ankle deep in poison oak or at least they aid not realize it until Tuesday, EXPLOSION PICTURES Pictures of the damaged area will be found on pages 3 and 4. These photographs were made by Jimmy Rogers, of the Asheville Citizen-Times. (Continued from pagt 1) and lost her shoes. In looking for her lost footwear, a man's shoe and hat were found. The owner of the shoe came limping by and claim ed it. The af remained in the grass, A series of small blasts were heard throughout the fire. Officials stated that they were caused by cans of oil, exploding in the warehouse. The last of the flames died out at 6:30 Tuesday afternoon, 15 hours after the first explosion. The bodies of Mrs. Caldwell and two children were burned almost beyond recognition. Their limbs were burned off, and much of the flesh of the trunk of their bodies burned. Mr. Caldwell's face was charred black, and his body badly burned. He lived four hours at the hospital and talked to his son, Tommy, thirty minutes before he died. The four were buried in separate graves. Andy Caldwell, one of those who died, must have suffered agony, as he left his burning house, where three members of his family died. Tuesday morning his tracks of blood were found from the house for 100 yards, at which point he was picked up and taken to the hospital by policeman Nolund. The . plant had three gasoline storage tanks. One held 16,000 gallons and two held 18,000 gallons each. How much was in the tanks at the time of the explosion has not been ascertained. Another tank with a capacity of 8,000 gal lons was used for kerosene, and the fifth tank, also with a capacity of 8,000 gallons was Used for storing fuel oil. . The heat was so intense, that the tanks of the Pure Oil were blistered. The large water tank of the Southern Railway was also blistered. Telephone lines to the west, were blown down. Temporary lines were soon strung, and service re stored. The tall oak trees on the cam pus of .: St. John's School, about two blocks away, were browned in the tops. SQUARE DANCE At The Armory EVERY FRIDAY AT 9 Sam Queen Calling Honey Franklin's Band Playing Admission 25c Coming Friday, July 24 Ray Whitley : and His 6 Bar Singing Cowboys IN PERSON ON OUR STAGE Also One of Ray Whitley's Musical Comedies AND A FINE FEA TURE PICTURE and LATEST NEWS All For Only l0c FOR CHILDREN AND 30c FOR ADULTS (Including Tax) MatLEE AT 3 P. M. NIGHT SHOWS 7:10 & 9:30 park tihieatre r3 . r - --55'KS M The clocks in the residence of Mr, C. M. Dicus, on Church street on the hillside just above the plant were stopped suddenly by the jarring of the explosion, The hands pointed to 3:20.. Mrs. Paul Walker and three children had a narrow escape. She said the spilling gasoline sounded like Tain. - Mr. Hardin warned her to move away and not to strike any matches. About that time her neighbor, E. C. Moody, arriv ed, and Mrs. Walker got her chil dren up and drove away. They were several blocks away when the ex plosion occured. Her home was flattened, and covered with gaso line, and immediately burned. Mr. Walker and son, Paul, are work ing in a shipyard in Baltimore. The explosion was heard as far as Maggie. Houses in all sections of community were jarred. Win dows a block away were broken out..'. So intense was the heat, that trees 1500 feet away were scorched. A hose was run to the bulk plant of Pure Oil, and tied to the tanks to keep them cool. The Pure Oil plant is almost directly across the street from the Standard plant Several thousand gallons of fuel oil did not burn, and this was drained from the tanks Wednes day morning. Several barrels of tar remained intact, in spite of the tremendous heat of the fire. Three trucks were burned at the Standard plant. A pick-up and two tank trucks, used for deliv ering gasoline. The plant had five overhead tanks. Three upright, and two horizontal, together with a pump house, and office warehouse build ing. The horizontal tank nearest the street was blown 2Q0 feet away. The others remained in position. Only a few new tires were in the warehouse at the time. A nor mal inventory of oil, greases and accesories were on hand. Mr. Hardin told The Mountaineer Monday evening, that he had 21,161 pounds of scrap rubber on the yard at his plant, This was burned. Even Tuesday afternoon, two of the large tanks one of crude oil and one of kerosense were burn ing, and resembled huge candles as the flames shot 10 to fifteen feet in the air. Humors spread thick and fast, Even within an hour, vivid tales of what happened were being told, and for the most part to fit the imagination of the teller. The wives of the two injured truck drivers are here, and are being provided for by the Red Cross. At present they are at the home of Rev. and Mrs. II. G Hammett. The drivers are from Spartanburg. Mr. and Mrs. Tay lor have two Children, and Mr. and Mrs. Walkup have a two-month old baby. Firemen shuddered to think what might have happened, had the transport been filled with oil in stead of gasoline. The burning oil would have covered scores of peo ple. ' " As a precautionary measure three firemen, Clem - Fitzgerald. Jack Edwards and Tom Gilliland stayed on the scene all night Tues day night, They reported Jrge crowds visited the scene until a late hour. Even late yesterday, a line of cars a block long, were parked on Water street, as occu pants looked over the damaged area. . Had the burned transport truck had the switch key in it at the time, it is believed that it could have been moved to safety. Sev eral men, led by David Underwood, attempted to drive the truck with it load of 4,000 gallons of gasoline away, but could not find a switch key. When the $6,000 transport exploded, it sent a shower of flam ing gasoline hundreds of feet in the air, as women screamed and men scrambled for safety. One man was reported injured by a falling piece of timber. His name; was not learned. A number of officials and insu ranee men were on hand Wednes day, making preliminary check ups, and taking pictures of the de stroyed property. All three of the large upright tanks still have gasoline in them, according to Mr. Johnson, an of ficial of Standard Oil, who was on the seine Wednesday afternoon. One of the upright tanks got red hot, but did not explode. He would make no guess as to the volume of gasoline in them. The tank of fuel oil also remained intact, and was scheduled to be emptied this morning, as soon as trucks arrived from Asheville. Watchmen will remain on the scene 24 hours a day. Mrs. J. T. Glenn, who resides in "Gourd Vine Cottage," on Church street was aroused from her sleep and grabbing her young granddaughter to escape from her house found she was locked in and no sign of the key she had left in the door the night before. After searching around she found it in a far corner of the room, where it had been flung when the explosion had shaken it out of the door. Never has there been such a public parade of nightgowns and pajamas in the community as was unexpectedly staged during the early hour on Tuesday morning. Only a few took time after the ex plosion and the fire alarm to do other than grab a coat. One ob servant person stated after that there was no doubt that blue was the favorite color of the men in the community, for pajamas, and pink for the gals. The matter , of keeping on bed room slippers and shoes was an uncertain problem. For many of those who gathered as near to the scene as possible, prior to the first blast, took no time when the second terrific roar came, to re move themselves as fast as they could, In the exit from the grand stand places, many of them lost one and some both shoes. Green Tree Tea Room Moves To Hotel Gordon The Green Tree Tea room moved yesterday from its Main street location to the dining room of the Hotel Gordon. Mr and Mra Harrv A Rune owners and operators, announced iney wouia operate at tne uoraon Hotel until further notice, and close the place next to Massie Furniture Store. The move was made in order to better serve the public, and larger crowds, The Rotary and Lions Clubs will meet at the Gordon in the private dining room as they did until last January. thick books had fallen under a lot of tin, and had escaped the tons of water poured on the area. A member of the construction crew put it out. Fields of corn and pastures in lots adjoining the plant have turned brown as if it were winter. "I don't know how high the flames went, but they must have reached the moon,'? said J. F, Cube, when someone asked him Tuesday morning how the fire looked from his home nearby the plant. A construction foreman of Stand ard Oil arrived Wednesday to make a preliminary survey of the dam age. No statement was issued as to when salvage work might begin. A portable typewriter which had been in the home of Mrs. Paul Walker, was thrown out on the ground and found in good condi tion after the fire. The case was burned, but the machine Undamaged. Dr. Roberson Has Charge Of Program At Medical Meeting Tonight At 8 Dr. R. Stuart Roberson will be in charge of the program of the regular monthly meeting of the Haywood County Medical Society, which meets tonight at eight o'clock at the nurse's home. Dr. C. N. Sisk is president and Dr. J. F. Pate is secretary. BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT Mr. and Mrs. James Randleman announce the birth of a son, James Michael, June 3rd, at Wilmington. Mrs. Randleman is the former Miss Louise McCracken, daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. R. P. McCrack en, and for several years she taught in the schools of this county. Records from the office were smouldering late yesterday. The ...Remembrances embellish life but forgetful ness alone makes it pos sible. General Cialdini. No Longer A Dream MAGIC DIP-N-SQUEEZE After years of research be comes a reality. A spoonful in a gallon of water into which you dip a silk dress, squeeze a little and presto, your dress is not only clean, its truly clean. You do not have to rinse. You simply (lip-n-squcere hang up to dry. Softens the hardest wa ter, removes perspiration acids and body odors. Leaves sweat ers luxuriously downy soft. It's a real beauty bath for silk, nylon, rayon, satin, lace, wool, etc. Makes them sparkle with that new like freshness. Agents Wanted P. 0. Box 117 Waynesville B ALENTI N E'S Is The Place For S, 'ii r m II A II I II 11 . i SI I II I II I IL I V..V .-" ix J rl I II I II I u u ia;l-u i w Pure LARD 4 lb.s 65 I Pur American Ace MATCHES - - -6 for 25tf 24 Oz. Health Club BAKING POWDER -190 SURE JELL --2 for 250 Cup and Saucer or Plate With Gold Medal Oats -- 230 fiP YUKON'S BEST FLOUR 24lb$1.15 GOOD VALUE FLOUR 24 lb - - 80rf Delicious CHERRIOATS - 2 for 270 1 1 .TBetasar" C to,"- si Local Firemen Praised For Heroic Work Under the direction of Robert Hugh Clark, about 25 Waynesville firemen and volunteer firemen, to gether with air raid wardens, strung hose lines from four hyd rants on all sides of the flaming tanks. Because of the intense heat, hose had to be played almost con stantly on the houses occupied by W. C. Fincher, E. C. Moody and Charlie Bryson, as well as the plant of the Pure Oil Company and the West Coal yard, which are also just across the street and tracks from the Standard plant. . When the first explosion went off, the fire department sounded the alarm for air raid wardens to re spond, as it was not known at that time what the trouble was. "The response of all volunteer diate, and they worked hard every minute," Mr. Clark said. The men were completely around the plant yard when the trans port truck exploded, but fortunate ly not a one Suffered injuries. The Canton fire department sent a pumper-truck over, and laid a hose line and put out a blazing coal car, which was. set by the exploding tanker. A carload of firemen from Ashe ville were here and offered assist ance, and Chief Fitzgerald of Ashe ville consulted with Mr. Clark about , the critical situation. "The heroic work of our brave Waynesville fire department kept the loss of property to a minimum, In spite of burning oil and the dangers of such a fire, every man stuck to his post," Mayor J. H. Way said in commenting on the firemen and wardens was imme- work of the department. Funds Being Raised For Fire Victims Provisions were made' yesterday at the First National Bank for the public to contribute to the fund that will be used in helping those who lost heavily in Tuesday's de vastating fire. James Noland, cashier of the bank, was named treasurer, and what money is received will be pooled with some that is availa ble through, the sale of scrap metal recently gathered by citizens of the community. The scrap metal sold for $1,382.31. Of this $300 has been turned over to the Salvation Army ' and a like amount to the Red Cross for work in Haywood. Mrs. Carl Medford is treasurer of the special fund. An opportunity will be given all this week to contribute to the fund for the victims. Employees and officials of Wellco Shoe Corporation made up a purse of $147 for Miss Lenora Mae Walk er Tuesday. Miss Walker is an employee of the shoe firm, and lost everything when her home was blown down and burned. Blue Rose RICE lh.100 Patna ". RICE - - - 2 lbs. 250 16 Oz. JFG PEANUT BUTTER -250 No. 2 Can Pie Peaches--2 for 230 Prepared ; MUSTARD-.-qt. 130 LARD--8 lbs. $1.29 5c Value SA L T - - - 3 for 100 White House Fruit Pectin - - 2 for 270 JAR RINGS -5 doz. 250 1 Cereal Dish FREE With Miller Wheat Flakes - 2 for 250 1 PALMOLIVE 3 for 210 4 ' n r .. aurc.rc Sman 10c SUDS Large 25c NEW 2 for 150 ill" ni-iini Toilet Soap r AUl OCTAGON V V POWDER IOr lp OCTAGON 3 f 15. CLEANSER 1Ul XOV 32 Oz. JFG ' MAYONNAISE-320 No. 2H Broken Sliced PINEAPPLES 250 47 Oz. Can Blue Bird Grapefruit Juice - - - 210 Specials From Our Large Market Rath's Sliced Ra-Corn BACON - - - lb. 290 Kraft American & Velveeta CHEESE- - 2 lbs. 590 Sliced".' B 0 L 0 G N A - - - lb. 190 Skinless WElNERS-.-lb. 190 Selected Picnic HAMS - - - lb. 320 Native Rib STEW BEEF lb. 150 Native and Western MEATS - Dressed Hens - Fryers BAL EOTHNE'S Main Street "Good Things To Eat" Waynesville