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Newspaper
Pittsburgh Dispatch
Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Jun 02, 1889
Page
18
The Cosshere Tron Company faces possible relocation as floodwaters devastate the town. Railroad brakeman Tom Henderson is missing with fears of death, while Gus McHugh and four children died. Mrs McHugh escaped. The community suffers food shortages as evacuation continues. Local workers fear long-term economic collapse.
A latest dispatch from New Florence reports about 4000 lives lost and 11 million dollars in property destroyed. Identified dead include James McMillan, Superintendent Cambria Iron, and several families. scenes show swollen rivers, wrecked rail lines, and heroic rescues amid widespread devastation.
A staff correspondent reports that by 5 p.m. the total recovered reached 408 with bodies found across Nineveh Johnstown New Florence Morrellville and Cambria City. Workers used Seven sites including a planing mill morgue and church spaces as rapid salvage continued amid receding floodwaters.
Report describes slow identification of corpses after a river disaster near Nineveh with most bodies badly bruised from debris. Names include Joseph Jackson repairman on the Pennsylvania Railroad, Mrs. McNarry of Johnstown, and Hulbert Bryan of Johnstown with a boy about 10 years old. Relatives and onlookers display numb grief and apathy, some joking about losses.
A colossal flood wrecks Pennsylvania Railroad tracks from Long Hollow to Nineveh with trains halted at Bolivar. Debris includes lumber, bent rails, twisted ties, and abandoned household remnants along the embankment. no human bodies seen among the wreckage.
Eyewitnesses describe Nineveh disaster with up to 150 bodies recovered as work trains collect remains. Reports recount victims at Coketon Bolivar Lockport Blairsville and Lacolle with decomposition begun. A widow’s body found at Bolivar and many bodies still unidentified. estimates of deaths range from 5000 to 6000 with some bodies carried toward the Ohio.
Harry and Joe Lauffer describe their Johnstown flood ordeal after wedding travel. They fled a rising river and a burst reservoir, escaping to higher ground as a wall of water overwhelmed the hillside town.
Eyewitness recalls the Johnstown disaster with mass flooding and massive loss of life. Survivors fled to Ebcosburg then Blairsville as waters overwhelmed the region, with at least 8,000 believed drowned and many surrounding towns wiped out.
Telegram from Forerton dated June 1 reports the river receding to 21 feet in the channel while turbidity remains heavy. The Clarion river brings a flood of debris downstream including furniture, pianos, bottles, and an engraved gold watch from a birthday. A barrel of whisky and a deed for property were found aboard as valuables drifted past Red Bank.
A flood washed away a car on the first section of the day express between Lane Hollow and Johnstown. The car held about 69 passengers with around 400 passengers onboard in total. It is unclear how many escaped and Latrobe resident H G was involved, aided by locals.
A large gathering in Beaver Falls with H. W. Hartman presiding raised 1070 dollars for a homeless relief effort. The June 1 report notes broad community support and a telegram to the dispatch? address, indicating ongoing fundraising.
Allegheny City mobilizes for relief after the Conemaugh catastrophe. Mayor Pearson urges donations via First National Bank, while residents salvage barrels of whisky and other debris. Police recover a mysterious trunk, a floating hand and leg are reported, and warnings come of substantial Johnstown losses.
Minutes report relief committees formed to aid Johnstown victims. Collections will be taken in all churches tomorrow as many locals have relatives in the stricken district and some citizens are departing for the scene.
The Grand Chancellor urges the Knights of Pythias to aid stricken brethren in Aresta after a devastating disaster. Letters from G K of R S and Grand Chancellor Thomas Peery call members to donate and support affected families, detailing heartfelt sympathy and urgent relief requests.
The Susquehanna River flood in York Pa reached its crest about 6 am. All but one bridge were submerged, flooding business areas and homes. City damage tops 250000 pounds with county losses around 100000 dollars. drowning victims include James McKlvain.
From Steubenville Ohio a preliminary meeting was held in the mayor’s office this afternoon and a public gathering will be held tonight to raise funds and supplies for Johnstown relief. A canvass of the town is proposed for Sunday. Road authorities pledge free transport and rapid delivery of aid.
Special telegram from Harrisburg reports water above the 1565 high mark as the Cumberland Valley Railroad bridge near Harrisburg is threatened. Tracks on the Harrisburg side were removed at midnight to prevent the first span from being swept away. The bridge endures pounding waves heard a mile off, with the river over a foot above the 1865 mark amid a strong flood surge.
A massive flood swept the Conemaugh river system from South Fork to Blairsville, washing away bridges and submerging railbed. West Penn Railroad losses estimated at $300,000 with bridges, tunnels, and tracks destroyed. Blairsville bridge a Rowe truss 450 feet long, wrecked with $80,000 rebuilding cost. John Stitt, a young brakeman, perished on the Blairsville bridge.
A Conemaugh River flood creates a new channel under the railroad bridge at Cambria City. Debris fills the eastern bank as houses burn amid wreckage. rescuers pull several corpses from the flames with wreckers reportedly looting. The scene unfolds through Friday night into Saturday with the bridge intact but unusable.
A traveling salesman reports the Johnstown disaster where a hotel guest escaped by boat as the water rose. He witnessed a female operator swept away and drowned during the flood. A local woman, Mrs. James Jenkins, also drowned while in Johnstown visiting her mother, leaving a husband and six children.
A relief gathering organized by Burgess Willis is underway at the Sharon Rink to aid Johnstown victims. Subscriptions flood in, with total funds expected near one thousand dollars. Western Union offices draw crowds as residents seek news, and several Sharon families race to Pittsburgh for updates. Relatives of Mrs Hilands' daughter are reported drowned.
The President telegrams Johns town mayor expressing sympathy after recent calamity. The Secretary of War is considering relief measures and a contribution to the relief fund was made by the President.
Special telegram reports Alexander Kilgore of Greensburg lost in the flood and relatives drowned. Rev Wagner and family, Johnstown visitors, are affected with others drowned. A J Jackson Western Union lineman from Derry found drowned. In Washington the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers rise an inch per hour as canal boats drift by. The flood halts activity and floods cellars on Pennsylvania Avenue.
June 1 reports intense local reaction to the Johnstown disaster as Burgess Porter calls a relief meeting for tomorrow. A committee collects supplies for sufferers and doctors Weddell and Clifford assist in care at Johnstown.
A meeting at Reynold's House at 2 pm responded to Burgess Marshall's call for Johns town sufferers. Over £200 was subscribed in a short time and a committee was appointed to solicit further subscriptions from local citizens.
Telegram item notes subscriptions circulating for Johnstown sufferers with 200 already subscribed. A call to friends and neighbors in all kinds of vehicles to aid in the relief effort.
Elmira suffers its worst flood in memory as Chemung valley floods inundating Fifth ward and lower city. Water 5 to 8 feet deep swamps cellars and streets, breaks Riverside Park dam, traps residents, halts business, and causes at least 15000 dollars in damage across Elmira and surrounding towns. Boats used to ferry people. several homes and barns swept away. food shortages reported as rescue efforts continue.
A Williamsport dispatch via East Reading reports a lumber boom failure at dawn flooding the upper town. By 2 AM word arrived that boom stock Haven broke and Williamsport was overflowed. Wires to the city were cut, delaying updates on the evolving situation.
A telegram reports bankers in Hooversville forming a committee led by C. D. Lewis to collect subscriptions for disaster relief. Donors are urged to send food clothing and money, warning that many may starve without aid. A similar drive is under way in Troy New York for Johnstown disaster victims with a rapidly filling subscription list.
Three bodies found among debris at Anderson Junction include two women and a child. Burgess calls a citizens meeting tonight to raise funds for the victims.
Special Telegram to The Dispatch reports from Mifflin on June 1 that 18 houses were swept away by the flood. Local officials state property damage spans multiple blocks and rescue operations continue in the affected area.
The dispatch reports Andrew Carnegie visiting the Paris Exhibition with remarks about the South American displays. The observer notes Carnegie trotting around the Argentine section during the event.
The report notes crops suffered heavy damage from the tremendous wind and heavy rain across numerous country districts. Local farmers assess losses and seek relief as fields, orchards, and pastures endure the storm’s impact.
Floodwaters rise along the Patapsco and Little Pipe Creek wash away bridges and disrupt rail service. The B&O faces dispatch limits as Pennsylvania trains await permit to pass. casualties include a man swept from a suspension bridge. Farmers report widespread crop damage and inundated lands around Westminster and Frederick County.
Resume of June 1 flood reports from Hagenssure describes Paxton creek overflow washing away bridges and first story damage. Mayor Fritchy led relief by boat as Susquehanna river rose 18 feet, Independence Island submerged, rail tracks flooded, and westbound traffic halted.
Chicago June 1. Attorney J F Beggs, guardian of Camp 96 Clan na Gael known as Columbian Club, links the group to the Cronin murder. He argues the oath hides officers and members, warns public funding to Ireland may collapse if the order is shown involved, and predicts a possible release from oath if secrecy ends.
Eyewitness reports detail two Pennsylvania Railroad day express trains derailed by floodwaters at Conemaugh and Johnstown. Passengers fled into the torrent or leaped to safety as many drowned. survivors were ferried to Ebensburg and later Bisksville Junction.
Reports say the Day Express second section left at dawn and was destroyed near Conemaugh. Brakeman Miller arrived with word that three cars burned and about twelve passengers in Pullman cars perished. Crew escaped. cause unknown. Names of missing passengers unavailable.
A London Globe report discusses a proposed automatic chair in London streets. A penny lowers the seat from a slit, letting a sitter rest. when they rise the chair returns, potentially blocking others. Inventors claim a simple, cheap seating solution in crowded areas.
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