At 4:30 Wednesday morning the fire siren at the plant of the Indian Refining Co. called members of the fire department to the plant. A few minutes later the second alarm was answered by a half a hundred men  and a number of spectators. Fire had broken out in a steam mill still known as no. 9.The fire brigade using a chemical known as foamite had the fire well under control when it was discovered that a leak in the bottom of no.9 was permitting a small quantity of oil to flow into no.10. As soon as the fire was extinguished the firemen turned their attention to no 10, which had been down for several days, although there was a small quantity of oil in the bottom of the still. Flames in no.9 communicated to the oil in no. 10 and the attention of the workers was directed to this still. Apparently the fire was well under control and the hose had been moved, when it was found there was still a blaze in the top of the still. A moment later there was a hissing noise followed by a muffled explosion and a mass of heavy black smoke enveloped about a hundred workmen and spectators. The smoke was followed in an instant by a sheet of flame that swept before it for a distance of perhaps a hundred feet, then lifted and died out in the air.

   But the flame had accomplished terrible destruction of life.  Many persons at a distance of several hundred feet felt the force of the explosion and intense heat, but were at a safe distance so far as personal damage was concerned.  They state that there was simply a "poof" and half a hundred human torches running in all directions. The air was filled with heart-rendering cries from the victims of the fire. There were many knocked flat by the force of the explosion and this is responsible for their lives as the flame passed over them.

Poison Gas Caused Deaths

   Coroner Beckes of Knox County, who conducted the inquest, said Saturday that the men died from inhaling a poison gas generated in the still which exploded. He said the poison not only destroyed  the tissues of the lungs , but affected the kidneys as well.  Most of the men died from raging fevers, some as high as 107.

   He stated he would like to perform an autopsy on some of them to determine the condition of their lungs, but hesitated to do so because of the grief of the relatives.

   "Some sort of chemical reaction took place in that still", he said,” which threw off poison gas." The men involuntarily inhaled these poison fumes when the explosion occurred."

THE DEAD

Wednesday

Louis Henry Freese

47

12:00 PM

Louis Hensley

50

6:00 PM

C. F. Gaddey

34

7:00 PM

A. D. Jackman

21

8:00 PM

W. E. Hinton

56

9:35 PM

Thursday

John Fitch

19

1:30 AM

Harry Johnson

38

2:00 AM

Clyde Moore

22

2:40 AM

Lee Lynch

49

8:00 AM

W. R. Spragg

38

2:30 PM

Alva Pickett

35

4:20 PM

Forrest Lawson

24

5:45 PM

Clarence Pace

29

7:00 PM

Walter Gullic

49

7:20 PM

J. L. Berry

42

8:10 PM

Edward Spangler

49

10:00 PM

Edward Hinton

23

11:50 PM

Friday

Harold Carrithers

24

3:30 AM

Edward F Childress

38

7:20 AM

Ira Heath

24

10:00 AM

Paul W. Baughan

25

3:00 PM

James Graves

20

4:00 PM

George Bruce

34

8:00 PM

Tuesday

John Mortz

35

7:20 AM

Claude Johnson

35

12:45 PM

THE INJURED

At Vincennes

Ralph Childress

John Hipsher, Jr

Eli Wood

W. E. Burbank

H. O. Schramm

C. E. Pinkstaff

Elmer Seitzinger

Charles Cummins

Sylvester Plough

Frank Stout

At Olney

Ellis Reynolds

Lyle Hudson

Palmer Wade

Tom Daugherty

S. Rodrick

Willard Vinsel

Morton Kimmel

Walter Haines

J. W. Critchfield

Warren McNeil

Harry wells

At Home

Dick Eaton

Lyman Pinkstaff

L. C. Dearth

Mordecal Brown

Clarence Hill

Stanley Robinson

Gilbert Gordon

W. U. Heath

J. C. Gilmore

Elmer Milan

Harry McCarter

Dewey Watson

Sam Sappingfield

Harry Ferrell

H. D. Armitage

Louis Waldrop

Frank Heath

Donald Orr

Clint Cummins

Orris Shulaw

Lyman Rich

Thurman Diggs

James Byrely

W.A. Beenblosson

Shell Shock

Wm. Jackman

W. E. (Pete) Snyder

Clyde Reel

Elmer Sellers

James L Berry

April 11 1886

August 2 1928

Lawrenceville City Cemetery

Section 1919-4

Born April 11, 1886 at Lebanon Mo.; Died Thursday evening at 8:10 at the age of 42 years 3 months and 21 days. Had been a resident of Lawrenceville for four years. Survived by father, wife three sisters and two brothers. Funeral at residence, 1516 south Fifteenth street  Sunday afternoon.

George

Bruce

August 19 1894

August 3 1928

Columbia Church Cemetery Princeton Indiana

Died at 8:40 Friday night  at the age of 34 years. The remains were taken to Princeton Ind., for interment.

William

Harold

Carrithers

May 22 1905

August 3 1928

Centerville Cemetery

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Orville Carrithers, was born in Allison town and died this Friday morning at 3:30 at the age of 24 Years. In addition to parents he leaves a wife and a son six months old. Funeral at the Centerville Christian Church Sunday afternoon.

Edward

Franklin

Childress

January 20 1890

August 3 1928

Lawrenceville City Cemetery

Section 1919-4

Edward Franklin Childress

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Wiley Childress, was born in Lawrenceville, January 20, 1890; Died Friday morning at 7:20; age 33 years, six months, and 13 days. Survived by his widow, mother  and 5 sisters. Was married to Emaline Crawford on February 1, 1928. Funeral at the Christian Church Sunday afternoon. Was a World War Vet.

John

Fitch

February 3 1910

August 3 1928

Jones Cemetery

Flat Rock Illinois

South East Section

John Fitch

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fitch, born in Crawford County  near Flat Rock  January 1910; died at 1:50 a.m.  Thursday; age 18 years 7 month 18 days. Was married to Irene Shaftner, of Flat Rock, last fall and was a member of the graduating class L.T.H.S. this spring. Was prominent in athletics.. Is survived by his wife, parents and one brother. Funeral at the Baptist Church  in Flat Rock Sunday afternoon.

 Henry

Louis

Freese

October 10 1880

August 1 1928

Lawrenceville City Cemetery

Section 1919-4

Louis Henry Freese

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Freese, was born in Versailles, October 10, 1880;died Wednesday noon at the Good Samaritan Hospital, age 47 years, 9 months and 21 days. With  the exception of a few years spent in Vincennes, he had lived in Lawrenceville since Childhood. He is survived by his mother Mrs. Cornelia Freese; his wife and a son and daughter by a previous marriage, in addition to a brother, George, of this city and two sisters, Mrs. Susan Niver of Murphysboro, and Mrs. Lawrence Richardson, of Pasadena California. Funeral service will be held at the Christian church Friday afternoon.

 Charles

F Gaddey

September 20 1894

August 1 1928

Lawrenceville City Cemetery

Section 1919-4

Charles F Gaddey

Son of George and Belle Gaddey, was born in Lukin Town, September 20,1894; died Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at the age of 33 years 10 months and 11 days. Is survived by his mother, wife and two children, Floyd and Eileen; one brother and two sisters, Owen and Lena Gaddey, of Springfield, and Mrs. Nora Nelson of Artesian, S.D. Funeral at the Baptist church Saturday afternoon at 4 o'clock. Was veteran of World War.

 James

C

Graves

June 31 1908

August 3 1928

Lawrenceville City Cemetery

Section 1919-4

James Graves

 Son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Graves was born  in Mt. Carmel June 31, 1908; died at 4 p.m. Friday at the age of 20 years and 2 days. He is survived by his parents and two sisters, two half sisters and three half brothers. Funeral services were held at the residence 1302 Washington Street , Monday Morning.

 Walter

Gullic

December 1879

August 2 1928

I.O.O.F. Cemetery

 McLeansboro Illinois

Walter Gullic

Born at Mcleansboro in December 1879 and died Thursday at 7:25 p.m. Had been a resident of Lawrenceville for seven years. Is survived by wife and two children in addition to one brother and one sister, Remains taken to Mcleansboro for interment.

 Ira

Heath

1904

August 3 1928

Lawrenceville City Cemetery

Section 1919-4

Ira Heath

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Benton Heath died Friday at 9:30 a.m. at the age of 24 years. Survived by his widow Aline Judy heath, and one small daughter in addition to his parents. Funeral at Baptist church Sunday morning.

 Lewis

Hensley

May 11 1879

August 1 1928

Lawrenceville City Cemetery

Section 1919-4

Lewis Hensley

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Hensley, was born in Lawrenceville, May 11 1878; died Wednesday at 6 p.m.; age50 years, 2 months and 21 days. is survived by his wife, one small son and two daughters, William, Beatrice and Beulah, in addition one brother and two sisters, James Hensley and Mrs. W. D. Cook of this city, and Mrs. John Fail, of Covington Ind., and his father Jacob Hensley. Funeral was held at the Methodist Episcopal Church Friday afternoon.

 William

E.

Hinton

August 1 1928

May Chapel

Cemetery

W. E. Hinton

Died Wednesday at 9:35 p.m. at the age of 56.

he had been a resident of Lawrenceville for a number of years, coming here from Georgetown Ky. Is survived by his mother, widow and eight children, Funeral Saturday morning at 10 o'clock at the residence,2015 south 12th street. Interment in May Chapel Cemetery.

Arlington

D.

Jackman

December 5 1907

August 1 1928

Lawrenceville City Cemetery

Section 1919-4

Arlington D Jackman

Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Jackman born December 5, 1907; died Wednesday at 9 p.m. age 20 years, 7 months and 26 days. Is survived by his parents, two sisters and one brother, Leona, Helen, and William Jackman. Was engaged to Miss Ruth Tracy and plans for the wedding this fall were well under way. Funeral at the U.B. Church Friday afternoon.

Claude

Johnson

August 2 1928

Lawrenceville City Cemetery

Section 1919-4

Claude Johnson

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Johnson, of Russell, brother to Harry Johnson who died Thursday. Was electrician at the plant. Died Tuesday afternoon at 12:45. Is survived by his wife and two children, Rayburn 11 and Eugene 7 in addition to his parents.

Forrest

Lawson

August 2 1928

Lawrenceville City Cemetery

Section 1919-4

Forrest Lawson

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Hick Lawson Bridgeport, Died at 5:45 p.m. Thursday at the age of 24 years. Funeral at the Free Methodist church Saturday afternoon. Is survived by his wife and father and five brothers.

Lee

Lynch

July 19 1879

August 2 1928

Lawrenceville City Cemetery

Section 1919-4

Lee Lynch

Born in Crawford County Indiana july 19, 1879; died Thursday morning at 10 o'clock; age 49 years, 10 days. came to Lawrenceville 17 years ago and had been employed at the refinery ever since that time. Survived by his widow and six children, six sisters and four brothers. Funeral at Christian church Saturday afternoon.

Clyde

Moore

May 4 1906

August 2 1928

Whitehouse Cemetery

Clyde Moore

Son of Andy and Luelle May Moore, born in Lawrence County, May 4,1906; died Thursday at 2:40 a.m. age 22 years, 2 months and 28 days. Is survived by his mother and one brother Arthur of this city. Funeral at Free Methodist Church Saturday afternoon.

John

Mortz

1892

August 1 1928

Lawrenceville City Cemetery

Section 1919-4

John Mortz

Age 35 died at 7:20 a.m. Tuesday. Residence at Fourth and Washington and leaves a wife and five children- twins 9, Junior 7,Andrew 4 and Beulah 10 months. Funeral will be held Thursday at the Free Methodist church.

Clarence

Eugene

Pace

April 5 1899

August 2 1928

Lawrenceville City Cemetery

Section 1919-4

Clarence Eugene Pace

Born at Poneta, Ind. April 5, 1899; died Thursday at 7:15 p.m., at the age of 29 years, 3 months and 27 days. Came to Lawrenceville shortly after his marriage four years ago and had been employed as electrician at the refinery since that time. Is survived by his parents, wife, two daughters, four sisters and four brothers. Funeral at the Methodist Church Sunday afternoon.

Alva

Pickett

1892

August 2 1928

Lawrenceville City Cemetery

Section 1919-4

Alva Pickett

Died at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the age of 35 years. Is survived by his widow and two children. Funeral services at Free Methodist Church Sunday morning.

Edward

Spangler

January 31 1879

August 2 1928

Lawrenceville City Cemetery

Section 1919-4

Edward Spangler

Son of Henry and May Spangler, born in Olney, January 31, 1879; died Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at the age of 49 years, six months and 1 day. Survived by father, widow and five children. Funeral at Catholic Church Saturday morning.

W. Robert

Spragg

March 25 1890

August 2 1928

Lawrenceville City Cemetery

Section 1919-4

W.R. Spragg

Born march 25, 1890; died Thursday at 2:30 p.m. age 38 years, 4 months and seven days. Leaves a wife and one daughter in addition to his parents and two sisters. His father is Rev. C. H. Spragg, a Methodist minister at Farina. Funeral at M. e. church Sunday Afternoon.

Elmer

Martin

Seitzinger

December 14 1879

August 11 1928

Lawrenceville City Cemetery

Section 1919-4

Elmer Seitzinger, son of Nicholas and Anna Shreffler was born December 14, 1879 in Lawrence County Illinois. He married Lizzie Vosler and she survives along with three daughters and a son, and a grandson He was a member of the United Brethren Church in Pinkstaff