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Newspaper
Pittsburgh Dispatch
Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Jun 09, 1889
Page
18
The latest estimate lists the number registered and the surviving count among the living. Authorities provide a current tally reflecting those who have registered and those deemed still living in the community.
June 8 report from Jouxstons indicates 19 000 to 20 000 names secured for survivors while city population stands at 30 000. Estimated losses unlikely to exceed 10 000 with most names published in the Dispatch and additional names listed for readers.
Dr. Alice Bennett from Morristown Insane Asylum reports three new insanity cases among disaster survivors. Red Cross workers aid distressed families. in Grub town a widow is described as violent and unrestrained, imagining she drowns while reacting to fright.
A physician explains a man became bald from fear of drowning with only a two inch stripe of hair remaining. The mind remains intact though extreme nervous prostration is noted. Reports also mention sanity issues in Woodvale residents and a Kernville woman haunted by flood hallucinations.
The Westmoreland county Sanitary Committee reports on the Conemaugh and Kiskiminetas rivers from Nipeveh to Freeport, a 71 mile stretch, to Colonel George F. Huff who directs county crews. Huff prepares a report to Governor Beaver.
Dispatch reports at the Chamber of Commerce show a busy day with heightened responsibilities and urgent shipments. Wm Flinn wired for continued supplies of coffee meat bread potatoes and other provisions while H W Hartman of Beaver Falls assures no starvation and ample food for the camps. The committee references the Chicago fire parable as a morale boost during the Board of Trade appearance.
A Sanitary Inspector reports that Woodvale residents faced severe food shortages early in the week and some consumed horse flesh from drowned horses pulled from the river. Relief delays left families starving before aid reached them.
The report lists the number of men employed in each sub-district for dredging and cleanup from Nineveh to Bolivar. At Bolivar Junction Deputy Sheriff James K. Clark commands 20 deputies to keep sightseers away from Johnstown, who flock daily and disrupt recovery work for the dead.
Residents fault Governor Foraker for slow aid while Governor Beaver offers no telegrams. Adjutant General Hastings relayed a summons for Beaver to visit Johnstown. Mercy Hospital staff from Pittsburgh helped with 100 beds, provoking local outrage at Beaver’s response and claims of state rivalry. McSwicay is mentioned in the confusion.
Josystons June 8. Company F Fourteenth Regiment on police duty at Somerset Balti more and Ohio were relieved this morning. Ten men remained, others sent to South Fork area. Captain Hamilton led the detachment and filed a terse report on arrivals and activities.
Humane Agent Samuel O'Brien of Pittsburg arrived to care for nine orphans and send them to asylums in Pittsburg. He found a crowd of nine near the town and acted to secure the children.
A Chicago board raises 17 000 for Johnstown relief and a committee drafts 20 000 more, totaling 50 000 so far. Food and medicines are distributed. inspectors report meat tainted by theft and risk of disease. Fourteenth Regiment troops face hunger and lack of shelter as rations and quarters logistics are sorted.
Early in the day Chairman Mc Breery ordered no more clothing be sent to Johnstown for the present. He warned that the city has stacks of clothing enough to clothe Cambria County for 90 years and that no one is asking for more. A relief effort list follows with various donors and items.
A cryptic telegram from the dispatch desk reports a near wipeout in JahnsTowns June with only three of twenty five cuisines escaping. Authorities describe widespread destruction and confirm limited survivors among local eateries.
Staff correspondent recounts extensive flood damage in Huntingdon County. Bridges near Huntingdon washed away except two between Huntingdon and Tyrone. Mapleton and Mount Homer area noted for valuable structures. road and rail washouts cited as major losses.
Prominent staff correspondent reports in Johnstown that the Allegheny Relief Corps, numbering 100 under Henry Seaman Abram Foust and Henry Muse, are performing valuable work. They receive 150 dollars per day plus board. funds will flow from the city contingent. Chief Grow of the Allegheny Fire Department arrived with the rented engine and hose carriage to assist.
Adjutant General Hastings General Wylie and other commanders inspected the raft above the bridge at dusk and ordered a channel opened through the raft then set aflame and burned from both sides. The plan calls for 150 expert axe men to work with dynamite to cut through the obstruction.
A brief coroner’s inquest report from Johnstowne notes uniform verdicts across cases presented. Officials state the proceedings emphasized consistency and adherence to legal standards in all examined matters.
Foreman Arthur Kirk describes the effort to clear a massive jam of debris on the Pennsylvania Railroad near Johnstown. He notes a 800 by 460 foot mass twelve feet high in places, with boats, wreckage, and two bodies recovered after ten days. He estimates a ten day timeline to carve a channel through the flood, assuming water levels fall.
A Pittsburgh delegation led by Mrs. A Alston Mrs. B M Orr and others left for Johnstown to establish a Western Pennsylvania branch HQ to care for homeless children. Over 500 applications have already been received and Miss Annie Wilcox will register each child with obtainable information for record. Mrs Campbell arranged with Mr Moxham for care of the children and the supplies include pins needles shoestrings and toiletries.
Lieutenant Phillips gains a famed beagle nickname after Engine Company No 15 rescues the dog from a burning debris field near the bridge. The incident highlights the dog as a prized survivor amid the disaster.
Lieutenant Phillips and Johnatown were involved in a tense rescue as a fire threatened a man. After struggle, Phillips saved the trapped person from grave danger, earning praise for his courage. The rescued dog drew a crowd and multiple offers, including $100, but Phillips refused to sell.
Rev Turner reports three days of flood disaster in Jonestown with residents left without shelter after the dam burst. He cites tents provided by Governor Foraker as the only protection for families spanning mothers and children during the calamity.
Dr. Lee of the State Board of Health dispatches a patrol boat down the Ohio River to search for dead bodies up to the state line. Captain Rodgers of the Tide and Dr. Dickson oversee the operation with Beaver county sheriff's volunteers patrolling riverbanks. Dr. Lee travels to Johnstown. J. B. Thompson handles the office in his absence. Citizens urged to boil water.
June 8 report from Xstows details the drowning of Hannon who died while riding a bicycle as a flood overwhelmed him. The body was found today after he was seen moving slowly on his wheel when the flood struck a solid water wall.
Harrisburg records reveal details of the Western Reservoir contract with J. E. Moorhead and H. B. Packer, its financing, materials, and construction woes. The 1840s project faced a 1842 halt due to a financial crisis, later revived by Canal Commissioners actions and legal disputes.
Stories describe widespread illness and nerves frayed as diphtheria and typhoid pneumonia spread. Dead buried in trenches raise fears of airborne contagion while authorities push disinfectants, housing sanitation, and hospital evacuation to curb an epidemic. Dr. Sebbet notes a house to house canvass to relocate the sick.
Coroner jury viewed several bodies and heard testimony with no new facts or verdict. Inquests will be held at river towns where drownings occurred and proceed toward South Pass. General Hastings J B Scott and Superintendent Pitcairn agreed to stop trains tomorrow shutting Johnstown and nearby areas from the world.
Vice President Robison of the Pennsylvania road arrived in a special train from Harrisburg to Pittsburgh and will push east along the main line as fast as possible. The Hue line is not likely to open for three or four days. The notice mentions 434 Wood Street as the largest location.
Reports from Jonystown describe alarm in the town as workmen rush debris removal and relocate residents to hillsides. Sanitary experts warn of rising disease risk, decomposing bodies, and a looming health crisis within days, with 42 sickness cases in the Cross Society facility amid a harsh rapid recovery period.
In a Cronin inquiry, John Moss and Patrick McGeehan testified. Moss refused to reveal Clan secrets, claiming the executive did not order Cronin’s removal. McGeehan denied threatening Cronin and described conflicts with his wife and a Chicago meeting with Cronin. The coroner pressed on clan oaths as the hearing paused for Monday.
Four men from Johnstown flood scenes were admitted last night. Wm Finherty of Booth & Filion suffered hip injuries and possible fracture. Wm Jones endured a knee fracture after being caught by a leg. John Morgan, in rheumatism, spent 12 hours in water and shows mental confusion. another veteran, identified as ace 235 CV, sustained back and hip injuries. He was moved to West Penn Hospital.
A Pittsburg photographer, known for taking wreck views, had a close call while traveling on the Pennsylvania Railroad. He left the train at Latrobe for a bite, returned to find the train moving, and narrowly avoided being crushed when attempting to reboard. He was helped by a bystander and only sustained minor injuries.
Well-known citizens in Pittsburg discuss a large sum tied to tax collection and a procurement routine. Reports note W R Ford and Captain Bly Breek arriving to oversee services in a scorantine depar a t nen cae g work. Uchopaienen also arrived with a bond set over $400 600 for Johnatown New York.
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