USA > Pennsylvania > Cambria County > History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Volume I > Part 45
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The federal government gave all its assistance to the peo- ple of Johnstown. The following telegram was sent to Dr. Lee :
"Washington, D. C., June 5, 1889.
"Have shipped copperas and bichloride of mercury; all available in town today and send more from Baltimore this aft- ernoon. It is suggested by the President who is much inter-
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ested in the matter that the temporary depopulation of Johns- town be encouraged as much as possible.
"JOHN B. HAMILTON, "Surgeon General."
By reason of the following order, the officers of the Board of Health had authority to appropriate any article or thing needed by them in aiding the work :
"Johnstown, June 5, 1889.
"The bearer is hereby authorized to enter any hardware or furnishing store and select such articles as may be useful for handling and transporting disinfectants, and for the work of disinfection. All articles thus appropriated will be noted and paid for."
On June 7, in his detailed report to Governor Beaver, Dr. Lee said: "After a careful personal inspection of the entire situation, by virtue of the authority conferred upon the State Board of Health, by the Act of June 3, 1885, and delegated to me as its executive officer in regulation, I declare the condi- tions existing at Johnstown and neighboring boroughs, and es- pecially those of the drift heaps above described, and of the waters of the Conemaugh and Kiskiminitas to consitute a nui- sance dangerous to the public health, and, inasmuch as the ex- tent of this nuisance is so great that the local authorities can- not abate it, I call upon your Excellency, as the chief executive of the Commonwealth, to at once employ such force as may be necessary to remove and abate the same."
The early organization of the board was as follows: Ben- jamin Lee, M. D., secretary and executive officer; George G. Groff, M. D., member of board; chief deputy inspector, Dr. W. E. Mathews; deputy inspectors-Dr. J. C. Sheridan, southern part of Johnstown; Dr. W. B. Lowman, northern part and Hornerstown; Dr. George W. Wagoner, Grubbtown and Kern- ville; Dr. H. F. Tomb, Woodvale, Nineveh and Sang Hollow; Dr. W. N. Pringle, South Fork, Franklin, East Conemaugh and Mineral Point; Dr. D. G. B. Porch, Cambria City; Dr. B. E. Tomb, Morrellville and Sheridan; Dr. F. Schill, Walnut Grove and Moxham; Dr. E. L. Miller, Peelorville, Millville and Min- ersville, and Dr. J. M. Cooper, Coopersdale and Ten Acre. Deputy inspector of camps, Dr. Campbell Sheridan; clerk, F. D. Jolly. (See chapter, "Medical Profession.")
On June 10th, Dr. P. M. Carrington, P. A. Surgeon United States Marine Hospital, Pittsburg, and Dr. C. O. Probst, sec-
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retary of the Ohio State Board of Health, made an examina- tion of the reservoirs, etc., of all the water supplies, and con- cluded a detailed report thus: "This report covers the terri- tory surveyed today, and we are convinced the water supply is as pure as before the flood. We would add, that our inquiries in these districts showed that but little sickness and no cases of contagious diseases were to be found."
In the same report a memoranda was made thus: "A messenger for the Water Company says that the supply is gaining during the past three days, and their Mill creek reser- voir is running over. The company are supplying all parts of town at present, except in the lower portion of Main street, and on the Point. they request that all pipes be hammered shut to stop the outflow."
The following correspondence is worthy of reproduction, as very few know what was done, and how removal of debris and the care of the public health were accomplished during the early days.
"Washington, D. C., June 9, 1889. "Dr. Benjamin Lee.
"A free contribution of twenty-five hundred dollars' worth of Quibell's disinfectant from Newark, England, for Johns- town, will be admitted free of duty if you want it. You must also name some United States Officer to whom it can be as- signed. Answer.
"WYMAN, Surgeon."
"Johnstown, Pa., July 6, 1889. "Messrs. Quibell Brothers,
"Newark, England.
"Gentlemen: In the name of the burgess and citizens of this stricken town, and of the State Board of Health of the Com- monwealth of Pennsylvania, allow me to thank you most sin- cerely for your very acceptable gift. No one firm in this coun- try has made so liberal a contribution in either money or ma- terial. As an expression of sympathy from brethren in a dis- tant land its value is greatly enhanced. It has arrived at a for- tunate time. After a month's incessant labor, often by night as well as day, resting only on the Lord's day, we have just succeeded in clearing the streets of that portion of the town which was not swept away, of the tangled mass of debris con- sisting of houses, passenger coaches, freight cars, locomotives, furniture, trees, bridges, corpses and carcasses-which encum- bered them up to the very roofs of the houses, and once more converting them into thoroughfares. We shall be able there- fore to use a street sprinkler to great advantage and your dis-
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infectant will come into play very acceptably in that way. For- tunately we have been able up to the present time to maintain a very fair condition of public health, but the fervid heats are yet to come and it will require unremitting care to prevent some serious outbreak of disease. Should we succeed you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you have contributed ma- terially to this happy result. Allow me to add my personal thanks for your generosity and for your kindly expressed sym- pathy.
"Yours very respectfully, "BENJAMIN LEE, " Secretary of State Board of Health."
On June 16, the second Sunday after the flood, Mr. E. T. Elder made this report :
"This being Sunday, the matter of work was left entirely with the men: and it was intended to give them a general day of rest. In view of being away from home and having no place to go to, a number volunteered to work. One gang was sent out to Sandyvale cemetery and vicinity, under Mr. West.
"One gang, under Mr. Bainbridge, went to Camp McKnight and removed a dead horse, and entirely consumed the carcass, which was partly consumed before.
"From there to the Merchants hotel, where he represents he would have burned a dead horse but the force was too small. So he reports, he completely destroyed a horse in rear of Swanks' Hollow.
"At headquarters, two car loads of lime were unloaded- 137 bbls. One car load of rosin, contents, 80 bbls. * *
Dr. Lee sent the following letter to President Harrison, showing the reasons for asking federal aid:
"Johnstown, July 27, 1889.
"To His Excellency, Benjamin Harrison, President of the United States.
"Dear Sir: The extreme urgency of official duties in con- nection with the disaster which has befallen this town, has pre- vented my earlier acknowledgment of your kindly expressed in- terest in my efforts to prevent an epidemic, as a result of the flood. Your suggestion of temporary deportation of women and children was most timely, and was acted upon as far as possi- ble. I take the liberty of enclosing my health bulletins up to the present time, which will show that the efforts of our Board have not been unsuccessful. A problem now confronts me of grave importance, which, owing to the provisions of the State constitution, I am powerless to meet. The Conemaugh and Stonycreek rivers have been so filled with sand and debris, and at the same time, their banks have been destroyed to such an extent, that the whole plateau on which Woodvale and Johns-
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HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
town stood, is in danger of inundation from a very moderate rainfall. The temporary structures which the homeless sur- vivors are erecting, may at any moment be washed away. Con- gress will be applied to, and I presume successfully, to dredge and dyke the streams. But, in the mean time, immediate pro- tection is needed. It occurred to me that you might perhaps see your way clear to assign me a portion of the contingent fund placed at your disposal, to be used in emergencies affect- ing the public health in the several States, to be used for this purpose. This would enable me to tide over the danger, until such time as more permanent improvements can be made.
"I have the honor to be, "Your Excellency's most obedient servant, "BENJ. LEE, "Secretary."
To this letter President Harrison replied thus :
"Deer Park, Md., July 30.
"Dr. Benjamin Lee.
"My dear Sir: The President directs me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th instant, with the inclos- ures, which has had his attention. The fund to which you al- lude is expended under the suggestion of the Surgeon General, Dr. Hamilton, to whom your letter will be referred. The Presi- dent, however, is of the opinion that no fund would be avail- able under the special appropriation, for the purpose yon indi- cate. He is much obliged to you for your kindly interest.
"Yours truly,
"E. W. HALFORD."
The subject matter was referred to Dr. Hamilton, who de- cided that the fund could not be used for the purpose named. inasmuch as the law only authorized the President to use it, "in case of a threatened or actual epidemic" * to aid. "in preventing and suppressing the spread of the same."
"Official Health Bulletins. "State Board of Health. "Johnstown, Pa., June 9, 1889.
"The general condition of health in Johnstown and vicinity is excellent. No epidemic disease of any kind prevails, nor is it expected that any will arise.
Owing to the fund under Governor Beaver's control be- coming limited. however, on Saturday, September 28, the state forces were ordered withdrawn. While the sanitary condition of the city was fairly good, many places had not been thoroughly . examined for bodies vet missing; therefore, on the following Monday, a deputation of citizens called on the governor to pre-
Vol. I-32
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sent the situation in reference to the search for bodies and the condition of the rivers. In pursuance thereof Dr. Lee was di- rected to continue the work, and four hundred men were again put to work in the streams, and on October Sth four bodies were found in the Stonycreek.
Saturday, October 13, the state forces were withdrawn, al- though many places in which bodies were believed to be buried, had not been thoroughly examined. Therefore the citizens took the work upon themselves and within a few days $12,233 was collected for that purpose. Every nook and corner which had not been satisfactorily looked into was again tested, and between Johnstown and Nineveh, twenty-six bodies were re- covered. eleven of which were identified.
During the first week after the flood it had been difficult to obtain enough coffins to bury the dead, and at that period it was impossible to estimate the number that would be needed there- after, consequently a large number were sent, and on July 15th there were at the Millville morgue one thousand coffins of all sizes and kinds. Two weeks later this morgue, which had been opened June 1st in the Iron street school building, was closed. The records kept by Mr. W. S. Reed showed that 426 bodies had been taken there, of which 177 had been identified. The last record was that of an infant found near the blow-house of the Cambria works on the preceding Saturday. Thereafter all bodies found were interred by John Henderson, from his Main street office and morgue.
On Wednesday, September 4, while search was being made for a hydrant on the premises occupied by William Given on Iron street, the body of a woman was found beneath a foot of earth. The following description illustrates the care with which all bodies were noted, to aid if possible in their identifica- tion : Female; weight, 120; height, 5 feet 5; brown hair; blue calico basque, figured in half-moon and stars; pearl buttons ; wine colored underskirt; black dress skirt; brown knit hose, button shoes : one band ring, engraved; one plated ring, initials either I. P. or J. P .; also ear-rings."
For months the finding of bodies were almost daily events, in cellars, sand piles, and even on thoroughfares where paths were made by continual passing to and fro. The contractors for the stone bridge of the Pennsylvania railroad west of New Flor- ence as late as August, 1906, found bodies which could not be identified.
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HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
A few days after the flood Coroner D. W. Evans em- panelled a jury, which, after a thorough investigation, includ- ing a visit to the reservoir, rendered this verdict:
"We, the undersigned jury empanelled to investigate the cause of the death of Ellen Hite, on the day of May 31st, after hearing the testimony, find that Ellen Hite came to her death from drowning, and that the drowning was caused by the break- ing of the South Fork Dam.
"We further find from the testimony and what we saw on the ground, that there was not sufficient waste weir, nor was the dam constructed sufficiently strong, nor of proper material to withstand the overflow, and hence we find that the owners of said dam were culpable in not making it as secure as it should have been, especially in view of the fact that a population of many thousands were in the valley below, and we hold that the owners are responsible for the fearful loss of life and property resulting from the breaking of the dam.
"Witness our hands and seals July 6, 1889. "JOHN COHO. "ABAHAM FERNER. "H. B. BLAIR. "JOHN H. DEVINE. "JOHN A. WISSINGER. "F. W. COHICK."
A number of citizens consulted Colonel John P. Linton and W. Horace Rose in reference to the liability of the stockholders of the South Fork Fishing Club for the loss of life and property. These gentlemen gave the subject much consideration. and, while their opinion has never been made public, it was prac- tically admitted that the stockholders were not liable. This opinion has been verified in the case of Tarbell vs. Pennsyl- vania Railroad, which was tried in Pittsburg before a jury. The issue was definite-to fix the responsibility for the death of plaintiff's wife and children. Able lawyers were engaged on both sides, and the jury rendered a verdict for the defendant on the principle that the disaster resulted from an act of God, for which mankind could not be held responsible.
Another point of law which the disaster revived was that relative to the descent of property in cases similar to that of Christian Kimpel and his wife, who were drowned without leaving issue. By his will Mr. Kimpel had given to his wife all the personal property absolutely, and the use of the real estate during her life. The value of the real and personal property was placed at $9,000 each, and to this estate the heirs of each
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decedent laid claim. If Mrs. Kimpel died first, her estate would have become vested in her husband, and would descend to his heirs; if Mr. Kimpel died first, the heirs of the wife would have inherited that part of the estate which by will had been given to her. However, there was no obtainable proof of the priority of death and the heirs made an amicable settlement of the estate.
Humorous and tragic events relieved the monotony and in- creased the strain of life to those who were doing their utmost to help Johnstown rise above its ruins that summer.
Lieutenant Richardson, who had charge of the Commissary at the Pennsylvania depot, slipped into General Hasting's tent one day, leading a six-year-old boy, whose clothes were ragged and whose face, hands and feet very much needed soap and water. The lieutenant had found the boy in a box-car, and the lad had told a pitiful tale of being without home or friends, his father and mother having been lost. The general cross-ex- amined the young Arab, and believing his story, said, "I'll take that poor little fellow home with me." That night the adopted Hastings slept in the tent of his foster father, and the next morning was bathed and clothed in a brand new suit, which made him a young prince among the National Guard. One of the officers was taking him through the camp, when suddenly a woman rushed out upon them, snatched the boy, saying, "Where on earth have you been? I've been looking for you for a week." Thus unceremoniously ended the military life of General Hast- ings' waif.
It is a rare occurrence. east of the mining camps in the far West, that a man who kills a human being is acquitted with honor by a coroner's jury and nothing more heard of it.
Such was the condition of affairs in Johnstown during the days of reconstruction after the dreadful catastrophe that action of that character was deemed proper. Many bad people had come into the town, and for several days prior to Monday, August 5, a stranger had been loitering around saloons and the camp occupied by the carpenters of Hoover, Hughes & Com- pany, north of the Baltimore and Ohio depot. He was notified to keep away from the camp, and for this reason harbored a grudge against Harry Moyer, of Norristown, who was in charge.
About nine o'clock that night. with two companions, the stranger entered Moyer's tent, holding a revolver in his hand
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HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
and threatening to kill him. The men began to beat Moyer, and in the struggle the light was put out. By some means Moyer got hold of a revolver and fired. One of the intruders, crying out "I am shot!" died almost instantly. Moyer gave himself to the police, who locked him up.
The following day Coroner Evans empanelled a jury con- sisting of James J. Milligan, William Strauss, McClelland Lig- gett, Isaac Harris, Herman Oyler and Charles E. Lout, who heard the testimony of the defendant and all the witnesses to the affair. The jury, satisfied that Moyer had acted in self- defense, promptly acquitted him; he was then and there dis- charged, and no further proceedings were ever taken. The stranger was a large man, called by some James McCormick, but the name of M. Nolan was tattoed on one of his arms.
The influx of workmen that summer gave opportunities for imposters to prey upon the sympathy of the people.
The greatest attempt to defraud the several committees was made by one known as Abram G. West, who went to Pitts- burg on August 6th and there told a very pathetic story of the loss of his wife and children, and property to the value of $16,200. besides other financial losses.
Before James Bryan, a notary public of Pittsburg, he swore to the truth of the following statement, every material fact of which was false. It read : "My name is Abram G. West, 31 years of age; I resided at No. 44 Wilson street, Conemaugh, at the time of the flood; I lived in Johnstown and Conemaugh for eighteen years; my occupation was upholstery, carpets and furniture; my monthly earnings were from $125.00 to $250.00; at the time of the flood I owned personal property to the amount of $16,200, which was lost. My property consisted of carpets, furniture and materials. At cost price was worth $6,000, which was swept away. The members of my family lost in the flood were my wife, Caroline, my son, William, aged nine years; my daughter, Mary, aged four; and Adeline, aged two years. My property injured was household, $4,000, piano and household goods, $1,700 tools, etc., $500, stock of goods, $6,000, cash owed by John Dupont, $3,750, small debts, $250. I have received no aid except some clothing from Red Cross Hospital, one dollar in cash for ticket to Pittsburg."
West was treated royally by the Pittsburg committee, and money, clothing and transportation to his friends furnished him that he might recover his shattered health. The truth was that
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he and his brother had come here in June or July after the flood and secured work, but both being detected in swindling had been discharged.
But it is not strange that a few should seek to take advan- tage of the heroism and self-sacrificing spirit of the many who gave of themselves, their time and their means to assist in bring- ing order out of chaos those few summer months. To these the gratitude of the people of this valley can never be fully ex- pressed.
To openly manifest their gratitude to one who had so cour- ageously and successfully burdened himself with their dis- tresses, the people of Johnstown tendered a public reception to General D. H. Hastings and Mrs. Hastings, at the residence of Mrs. Mary Campbell, Saturday evening, February 8, 1890. Three thousand persons called to pay their respects to the Gen- eral, and at the conclusion of the reception he and the invited guests and the newspapers representatives were banqueted at the Windsor Hotel.
Although the losses to corporations had been great, they immediately set about to repair what could not have been avoided, and about the first of July the Cambria Iron Company succeeded in getting a portion of their mills in operation. Sat- urday, July 13th, marked its first pay-day, when $40,000 was dis- tributed, whereas its usual pay roll had been $800,000. Two weeks later the entire works were in running order, temporary sheds having been erected on the site of the Gautier mills for the purpose of making rake teeth, tires, rods, billets, etc.
The Pennsylvania railroad had suffered very heavily in the damage to its road bed, the tracks having been washed away from some distance above Conemaugh to the lower end of Wood- vale. Although work was commenced as soon as possible, the repairs were not completed until about March 1, 1890, the Phil- adelphia express east, February 27th, being the first train to pass over the new viaduct. The company's loss was about $2,000,000.
The aggregate loss to the various life insurance companies by reason of the flood was something over $250,000.00, appor- tioned as follows: Providence Life and Trust, $7,000; Fidelity Mutual, $3,000; New York Life, $42,000; Home Life, $2,000; American Life, $10,000; N. B. Mutual Aid, $6,000; Aetna Life, $9,000; Travelers', $4,000; United States Life, $18,500; Equit- able, $25,000; Mutual Life, $33,000; New England, $2,000; Penn
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HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Mutual, $11,000; Washington Life, $8,000; Pacific Mutual, $3,000; Standard Accident,. $5,000; United States Mutual Acci- dent, $7,500; Peoples' Accident, $15,000; and various assess- ment associations, $20,000. A remarkable instance was that of one company which having over one thousand policies in force in the valley had only three losses.
Summary.
Loss of claimants by sworn statements $9,674,105
Estimate of losses to borough property 164,630
Estimate of losses to school property 48,607
Estimate of losses to fire companies 37,151
Estimate of losses to churches 215,450
Estimate losses to Street Railway 44,142
Estimate losses to Penn. R. R.
2,000,000
Estimate losses to industries,
287,520
That of the Cambria Iron Company not included .
$12,471,605
Contributions.
Sent to Governor Beaver
1,172,133.35
By the Philadelphia Committee 666,671
By the Pittsburg Committee
831,295.62
By the New York Committee
505,634.76
Sent to the State Commission 427,853.25
Sent to the Johnstown Finance Committee
357,092.64
$3,960,680.62
On Washington street, from Clinton to Walnut streets, in a space of less than three squares, the greatest havoc was wrought, the number of deaths being 138. At the home of ex- Sheriff John Ryan, at the corner of Washington and Park Place (as it is now called), twenty-one people were drowned, among whom were Gottfried Hoffman, his wife and nine children.
The Hulbert House, a hotel conducted by F. A. Benford, was situated on the easterly side of Clinton street, north of Main. Being on high ground many families had been taken there for safety during the day, and of the sixty persons there- in at the time the waters came down, death claimed forty-eight as his toll, four of whom were the mother, brother and two sis- ters of the proprietor.
THE FATE OF SOME FAMILIES.
Squire John H. Fisher, residing on Main street, near Mar- ket, had cheerfully conversed with his neighbors from the up-
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HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
stairs windows until a few minutes before the fatal moment. With him were Mrs. Margaret Fisher, his wife; his daughters, Emma K., aged twenty-three; Minnie, twenty-one; Ida, nineteen ; Madge, ten; and his sons George, twelve, and Frank, the baby of nine months. They were not seen afterward, and on Sun- day afternoon the bodies of all were found in the Stonycreek, near the foot of Water street and the Millcreek road. It is be- lieved that they had all gone into the bath room, which was a frame addition to the brick house, hoping to find safety there. Two children, Edward O. and Luella, who were not at home that day, were the only members of the family left to mourn this terrible loss.
John Fenn, a tin and stove dealer, in business on Washington street, resided on Locust street. His wife and seven children-John Fulton, aged twelve years; Daisy, ten; Genevieve, nine; George Washington, eight; Virginia, five; Bismarck S., three; and Esther, eighteen months; were at home. Mr. Fenn tried to reach them by way of Franklin street, but, finding the water too high, he returned to Washington and attempted to get home by Clinton street. Within two hundred feet of his residence, the first wave caught him and carried him away. All his family perished except his wife, who was car- ried through the channel below the Presbyterian church, and then up the Stonycreek to a point near the Franklin street bridge, where she was rescued.
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