04 Jun 1889
Page 1
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Newspaper
Rochester Daily Republican
Location
Rochester, Indiana, United States of America
Date
Jun 04, 1889
Page
1
Eyewitness accounts detail early warnings that dam failure would flood Johnstown and surrounding towns. Officials delayed alarm as the torrent overwhelmed bridges and homes, with death toll estimates climbing to thousands and hundreds already recovered or identified.
Reports detail plans to dynamite twenty five acres of debris from the Conemaugh bridge site to dislodge bodies and speed burial. Census figures show 29400 residents in Johnstown, with a new directory to be printed and a fresh canvass planned. Drowning tolls include multiple families in Lycoming and Nippenose, births occur amid disaster, and railway losses loom large.
In Nineveh near Johnstown Pennsylvania a one acre corn patch yielded 138 corpses after a passerby kicked marl uncovering a woman's face. The discovery brings Nineveh’s total dead to 230 buried under four feet of alluvial deposit.
Joseph A. McMillan of the Cambria Ironworks says operations will restart in ten to twelve days and rails will be produced within fifty days. He notes about 5,000 workers will be employed, promising renewed hope for the local community.
Twelve boarding house residents were arrested in Monelville for posing as family heads to obtain relief supplies. They used the goods to run a thriving grocery and clothing store operation, according to the report from Jonestown, Pennsylvania dated June 4.
Johnstown Pennsylvania reports the Pennsylvania railroad completed a remarkable span of the Conemaugh Gorge. A train ran at 9 o’clock yesterday evening one mile above the Johnstown station showcasing notable engineering achievement.
In Johnstown on June 4 a flood caused astonishing rescues. Mrs Geis was saved through a window after a brick house fell. Nannie Greenwood survived after being swept by an eddy while her relatives drowned. Mrs Lea clung by her arms for hours as she helped her mother reach safety. Dr H Phillips endured seventeen hours in floodwater before rescue.
Dispatches from Harrissure report 12 000 to 15 000 thieves and vandals plundering Johnstown after the flood. Governor Beaver plans no troops but keeps the Fourteenth Regiment ready as Allegheny Sheriff urges National Guard to prevent pillage and violence. General Hastings says relief efforts will be organized and volunteers contacted for aid.
The Potomac River peaked Sunday afternoon, flooded South Washington, and fell by yesterday morning. Damage is estimated at 1,500,000 dollars. The Long Bridge held until 3 PM when a span near the draw broke loose. another span must be cut away.
The town of RENovo and Lock Haven reported about 250000 dollars in flood losses by Friday night as three quarters of Novovo was submerged. Homes were ruined and residents fled with nothing. Emporium and nearby lumber industries faced at least 1000000 dollars in damage.
In Harper's Ferry Virginia on June 4 the Baltimore and Ohio bridge at the town is greatly damaged. Bolivar Heights is a large camping ground with heavy losses. Berlin Knoxville Weverton Sandy Hook and Point of Rocks report great damage and the new bridge at Point of Rocks is mostly destroyed.
A message from Williamsport to Harrisburg via Northern Central wires says a meeting there authorized an appeal to the public for aid. The appeal notes many families are destitute and seeks relief.
New Brunswick and Bethlehem report local fund drives for Johnstown disaster victims. Citizens subscribe amounts including 500 dollars while Masons and others join the effort. Hartrorp notes a 25000 dollar state relief appropriation, and Brooklyn groups organize a relief fund with active civic participation.
In Johnstown on June 4 the lake flood ripped through East Conemaugh striking the round-house with twenty seven engines, 200 freight cars and twenty passenger cars. A passenger train was full of travelers as the water engulfed cars and crews urged evacuation. Track and buildings were washed away while mail on an east bound train was saved by engines acting as a breaker.
In Harrisburg on June 4 Governor Beaver issued a proclamation estimating 5000 deaths and 25000000 in property losses. He appeals for shoes and clothing for all, noting other areas hurt similarly but less severely and reporting uncertain fatalities along the west branch of the Susquehanna.
Johnstown June 4 reports say the Sportman's Association owner of the South Fork dam must file an indemnity bond of 3 million dollars before its charter was issued. Cambria and Blair county representatives opposed the passage. records at Cambria county show no bond, only the charter. Damages and liability talk continue as the group faces partial payment.
Conductor Bell who led the train said yesterday that only four passengers were lost, noting he did not know their names. The remark provides a cautious estimate amid the morning’s incident report.
About 200 citizens met at city hall to create a relief committee with Mayor Grant as chairman and Gen. Sherman heading the executive group. Approximately 869000 was pledged on the spot, with the stock exchange, product exchange, and Mail and Express contributing 15000 10000 and 7500 respectively. Theatres plan benefit performances and police and fire departments circulate lists. Newspapers have opened funds.
At a special meeting of the Pennsylvania Railroad board in Philadelphia on June 4 the directors unanimously voted 25000 in aid for flood victims along the line. This adds to 5000 already subscribed in Pittsburgh. Board members and executives also contributed 4000 personally for the finance committee to allocate.
Governor Fifer issues a proclamation urging Illinois residents to donate money food and clothing to aid Johnstown sufferers. He directs local authorities to hold public meetings to enable practical sympathy and suggests sending contributions to Adjt. Gen. Vance in Springfield.
A mass meeting of business men in Chicago subscribed liberal donations and sent a $5,000 draft to the Pittsburg relief committee for Pennsylvania flood victims. A second draft for the same amount was sent the next day. Subscriptions this week may exceed $20,000 with appeals across city associations and societies.
Governor Taylor issued a proclamation urging Tennesseans to share their abundance in aid of Pennsylvania flood sufferers. Mayor Pillow of Coumsta telegraphed the Pennsylvania governor requesting $500 drawn from Columbia citizens' contributions for relief.
June 4 in Bertin a relief fund for Johnstown disaster victims has been organized in this city. Funds will support victims with shelter food and medical assistance through local drives and donations. The initiative reflects community concern and mobilizes residents to assist those affected.
In Washington on June, President Harrison shows deep concern over the Johnstown flood. He spoke with Gen. Schofield and gave him authority to act as he sees fit to aid the stricken valley and its people.
Washington June 4 Private Secretary Halford endured extreme anxiety over the safety of his wife and daughter until a train passenger telegram reported Mrs Halford and Miss Halford were safe but forced to flee to the mountains for safety A later telegram from Mrs Halford confirmed the news and urged him not to attempt to come to her He appeared very nervous yesterday morning showing the mental strain of the ordeal
Pension Commissioner Tanner ordered the Pittsburgh pension agent to rush payment on current vouchers from flood ruined towns in Pennsylvania. Where certificates are lost, permits to issue new vouchers may be sent without magistrate presentation.
Prrngpura June 4 relief committee places debris clearance at Johnstown under John Flinn of Booth and Flinn and Capt. W R Jones of Edgar Thomas Steel Works. About a thousand men will be sent to the scene.
Belfast observers report a spontaneous protest as demonstrators seized the moment to denounce home rule. The gathering reflected broad opposition with participants voicing strong disapproval of the policy.
Norwalk Connecticut June 4 Mrs Lathrop niece of Senator Lombard Stanford has been declared insane and was admitted to Dr Buell private asylum after a violent episode.
Washington June 4 Pension Commissioner Tanner orders all pensioners receiving less than four dollars per month to present medical examination cards for reevaluation with the aim to raise pensions below that level to four dollars a month.
Fragmentary forecast notes indicate cooler temperatures and variable winds across Indiana Illinois and Iowa with rain expected in parts of the Midwest. The dated guidance mentions a thirty hour window starting yesterday and reference to a broader regional outlook.
Reports from Gretna across the river from New Orleans describe renewed white black tensions. The Union Oil Mill operation fired all workers after a white demand, whites stoned leaving the plant, and Sheriff Wagner was pressured to replace a negro deputy with a white one and move prisoners to the penitentiary. Posters warned him to appoint only white officials, with threats of force if he refused. The mill managers sought gubernatorial protection for employees.
Testimony before the coroner's jury mostly repeats known facts about the Cronin case. Carlson, owner of the cottage, says iceman Sullivan knew the tenants and would be responsible for rent. Cronin's accusation against Alex Sullivan, Mrs. Conklin, and Frank Scanlan is noted with doctors' statements about removal of Cronin.
Robert York claims to be mate of the schooner Isaac Housten and recounts a storm wreck that sank the ship six miles off Milwaukee, saying sixteen lives were lost including Captain Hudson his wife and two children, First Mate Fowler and eleven crewmen, though locals doubt his story.
Race results from Jerome Park Curriaco and St Louis report several winners with unusually slow times. Kempland won a 34 mile race at Jerome Park in 0 5134, while Cartoon and Maylaps posted 1 mile times of 1 5614 and 1 4714 respectively.
President Fitzgerald ordered postponement of the national convention of the Irish National League planned for July 9 and 10 in Philadelphia. The delay aims to secure attendance of two or three nationalist MPs and follows Parnell's cable advice.
London reports the Valkyrie finished last in a Dover race off while the Irex won in 3 hours 5 minutes 51 seconds and Yarana followed in 4 hours 9 minutes 7 seconds. The Valkyrie had won a race Saturday. In Ekaterinburg the Uskiits mining district strike set houses ablaze and seven people perished.
In Springfield Illinois on June 4 Joseph W Arnold a farmer living in the city was shot and killed by his wife following a domestic quarrel. Mrs Arnold is in jail awaiting further proceedings.
A Paterson New York silk mill suffered extensive damage in a fire. The blaze damaged machinery and raw materials. Authorities estimate losses around 75000 dollars with several workers reported injured.
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