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Freedom: December 6, 1876. About half past nine o'clock last evening, our quiet town was shaken from one end to the other by a terrific explosion, which was immediately followed by a great flashing glare of light; people ran hither and thither, and the cry of "Fire, Fire, Fire" was heard amid the sounding clatter of hurried feet upon the sidewalks. The light being at the lower end of town it was at once seen that the Excelsior Oil Works were on fire. Our fire engine was immediately taken to the works and placed at the river, while all the citizens gave their aid in removing barrels stored on the grounds. By prompt and fearless exertions, the fire was confined to the receiving room, where it originated and in two hours was completely subdued, with the loss of but a small quantity of oil and benzine. The manager of the works, Mr. John F. Bentel and two employees, Peter Klein and Benjamin F. Craig, were severely burned. Mr. Bentel left his home about twenty minutes before the explosion, having just perused the Evening Leader's Account of the coming creation ceremonies at Little Washington, remarking that he would go to the works a few minutes, as a still of oil was being run off. He arrived at the works, and in company with the men named above went into the receiving room. After looking around a short time he remarked that the gas arising from the running oils seemed rather blue and heavier than usual, and that it would be best to go out. The three men then walked out in the yard, perhaps six or eight feet, and conversed a few moments. Mr. Bentel then said he would go home, and was about bidding the others good night, when suddenly the gas caught fire from a lamp used for lighting up the yard outside of the buildings. Mr. Bentel says he did not hear much of the explosion, but felt himself whirled around as if in a whirlwind, and fighting a fire which was burning face, hair and clothing. He staggered along perhaps a hundred yards and seized handfuls of snow which he rubbed over head and face to drown out the burning fire. The skin peeled from his hands, and they looked just as if an old pair of gloves were hanging in shreds from them. Then thoughts of being fatally burned entered his head, and he hurried along a hundred yards away from the fire and endeavored to climb a fence near the railroad, in order, as he says, "that I might not be cremated, but my body be found." Assistance came speedily, however, and he was at once conveyed home, shivering with cold, the burns were not fatal, we are happy to say, although very severe. His moustache, eyebrows, and part of his hair, are burned off, while his hands are in shreds. His clothing is scorched, torn, and burned, or rather charred, but his body and limbs are not injured, while internally he is all right. Mr. Klein is burned in a similar manner, perhaps more severely; he was rolled over and over, and with his clothing on fire, rushed down an embankment and plunged into the icy river, from which he emerged in a freezing condition, enduring terrible pain.
Great credit is due to the young men of our town for their untiring efforts, by reason of which the fire was checked. To Mr. Bentel's friends, business and otherwise, in Philadelphia, New York, Boston, and other cities, we can confidently say that nothing serious will result from his burns, and that his entire recovery may be expected, although it may be five or six weeks before he is out. The sufferers all bear their pain heroically and are thankful that Freedom's cremation efforts were not a success.
Cousin Jed, Ed.