The Daily Oklahoman
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
September 5, 1915

Gas Burns Prove Fatal to Wilson

Oil Field Worker and Three Companions Caught in Explosion

Oilton, Okla., Sept 4 (Special) John Wilson is dead and Miss Maggie O'Neil and Miss Hattie Pace are not expected to live as the result of burns received in a gas explosion near here early Saturday morning. Wilson and companions were riding in an automobile across the S. M. Lucas lease when the lights on the automobile ignited gas escaping from a flow tank. Wilson and the two women were enveloped in the flames.

Wilson died in a hospital at Drumright Saturday afternoon.

The fourth member of the party, James Moss, a 14 year old boy, escaped with minor burns.

Wilson was married and lived at Drumright. While riding between Oilton and Drumright he overtook the two women and boy, and offered to take them to Drumright. Wilson was an oil driller.

Several months ago a similar explosion occurred near here in which Fred Swan and two young women were so badly burned they died.

[also see 1915 Oilton Explosion]