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tk A Description of the .Remodeled
' Johnstown as It Looks
. To-Day.
AN INCREASE OF 90 STORES.
f One Million Dollars Expended for
Kew Buildings and
THE WORK HAS OKLI COMMENCED.
Interesting Facts and Figures as to the
Progress Made In
BfJDEElHXG THE FLOOD-SWEPT TALLET
' Johnstown is still a marvel. One year
ago every store and counting room was
either gutted or completely wrecked. In
the devastated district not a dollar's worth
of poods was left unharmed. Several thou
sand houses were swept away, and between
8,000 and 4,000 customers disappeared for
ever. . ' Yet, the mercantile appraisement this
month shows that there is more business in
Johnstown to-day than before the flood.
This appraisement takes in the flood-swept
district throughout the Coneniaugh Valley.
From a summary of the appraiser's list it is
found that South Fork village lost year had
8 business houses and this year 12; Mineral
Foint, 2 last year and 2 this; East Cone
maugh, 9 last year and 7 this; Franklin
borough, 7 last year and 5 this.
POOE WOODVALE.
"Woodvale, 4 last year and none this;
First ward of Conemaugh borough (present
Ninth ward), 3 last year and 11 this; Sec
ond ward ot Conemaugh borough, 5 last
year and none this; First ward of Johns
town, 16 last year and 18 this; Second ward
of Johnstown, 15 last year and 42 this, prin
cipally in the temporary buildings on the
Fublio Square; Third ward of Johnstown,
8 last year and 09 this; Fourth ward of
Johnstown, S3 last year and 49 this;
Fifth ward of Johnstown, 8 last year and 14
this; Sixth ward of Johnstown, 6 last year
and 8 this; Seventh ward of Johnstown, 5
last year and 12 this (Moxham being now
included); Stony Creek township, adjoining
(the city. 3 last year and 11 this; Grubbtown
(present Eighth ward), 2 last year and 4
this; Prospect (present Twelfth ward), none
last year and 1 this; First ward ot Millville
(present Thirteenth ward), 3 last year and 8
this; Second ward of Millville (present
Fourteenth ward) 4 last year and 7 this;
First ward of Cambria (present Fiitecnth
(Ward), 7 last year aud 9 this; Second ward
oi vara una present oixieenm waray, o last
year and 5 this; Morrellville, 9 last year
end 17 this; Coopersdale, 3 last year and 2
this.
A BEMARKABLE SHOWING.
The figures in the foregoing foot up 213
'stores or business houses for 1889, and 303
in 1890. Of course, there was a demand for
more stores; new homes were being rebuilt,
und had to be refitted and refurnished
throughout. Everything went with the
flood china, bed clothes, glassware, furni
ture, carpets, cooking utensils, etc All
271e JIannan Slock.
these had to be purchased anew by hun
dreds et families. Business became brisk,
and ii still booming. When trade even
tually drops back to its normal volume, it
will then be seen how much of this increase
in mercantile bouses can be maintained.
Some of these stores have been started on a
small scale and may not survive. But on
the whole the prospects are indeed bright
lor a substantial and permanent increase in
the volume of business in the Conemaugh
Valley.
A great many of the stores are in the
hands of newcomers. Last week the Johns
town Tribune said:
NEW FACES EVERYWHERE.
One year ago Johnstown was apparently
as firm as a rock, and its business bouses
were as well established as any in the land,
lint the waters came and all was changed.
Many merchants, along with their stores,
were swept away, and in their places are
persons who perhaps a few short months
ago were total strangers, and who, but for
the flood, would never have thought of
casting their lot among us; while most of
those who are left are not in their old
places, and'only within the bounds of a sin
gle square from Franklin to Clinton do
we see the familiar landmarks of other
davs."
Sew faces everywberel So many old ones
missed! Such was thf burden ot many in
terviews which were had with several old
Johnstown residents.
THE WORK OP REBUILDING.
To-day the hammer and saw are busier in
the valley of the Conemaugh than at any
time since the flood. Lumber is being
hauled into the various freight yards by the
trainload, and every street and alley is
odorous with fresh pine and hemlock boards.
The rebuilding period began within a
month after the disaster, but it was never
busier than at present. The reason is that
the first half of the year had to be devoted
to cleaning up the debris, and in the latter
halt of the year the relief money had been
distributed pretty thoroughly among the
people by the State Commission, and they
had it to work upon.
Up to this time close upon $1,000,000
has been spent in rebuilding the populous
towns of the valley, and yet the work is not
one-fourth completed. Beallv, it has only
been begun, as will be seen by reading the
details of construction along each street of
Johnstown, as given below. Contractors
estimate that 3,000 houses were swept awav
in tha deluge. Probably not more than
1,000 new houses have been built in the first
year now ended. A good many frame
ehantiet were erected just after the flood
which were only intended to be temporary
nnd which will be torn down. It would
not be right therefore to include them in
the better class of structures.
VALUE OF THE WORK.
Six firms of contracting builders have had
the principal portion ot reconstruction in
their hands. They are Hoover, Hughes &
Co.. W. J. Eose & Co., B. F. Horner. Lloyd
& Son, Koontz Bros., and J. J. Strayer.
Beside these there are several smaller
carpenters and builders who put no a house
or two tor neighbors or friends.
Hoover, Hughes & Co. accomplished the
following amount of building in the year
that has passed since the wholesale destruc
tion: 1 block............
1 block...... ......
I 22.000
15,000
5,000
dwelling. ........................ ........
3 dwellings, fi.000..... 12,000
1 dwelling 3,000
2 buildings at S2.6U0. 6,000
2 building at SiOOO 4.000
2 bnlldincs at 1,500 3,000
1 building 1,200
2 buildings. U.000 2.000
50 temporary storerooms 22,500
8 storerooms J5u0 4,iK)
16boues. $500 8,000
55 average. JI00 182,000
307 average, 300 82,100
Undoes in aggregate 10.000
Total $380,000
VS COUESE OF ERECTION AND UNDER
CONTRACT.
Library building $ 05,000
Cambria store. , 3-5,000
1 business block. 10,000
1 business block. 8,000
1 building 5,000
1 building... 4.000
1 building. 3,000
1 building- 2,259
1 building- 2,000
3 buildings, $1,500 4,500
2buildings 2,000
1 building. .. ......... . 65u
1 building- 350
Total. tML750
AMONG OTHER BUILDERS.
B. F. Horner furnishes The Dispatch
with this estimate of the work done by him:
1 block for Hon. John Hannan and L.
M. Woolf. 5 60,000
1 block for Jacob Focker 4.000
Rebuilding Dr. Lowhman's residence... 4,009
Several bouses repaired at from $2,000 to
53,000 each i.. 10.000
Total S6S.00O
VAST AMOUNT OP REPAIRING.
The work of other builders, and the vast
amount of repairing done to the houses
that remained standing, will swell the
totals of all to a good-sized aggregate for
the operations of the first year in Johns
town. Xbis repairing is something that
cannot very well be particularized or esti
mated in cost, for the reason tbere is no
general record kept. A man who, though
a bookkeeper, may himself be something of
a carpenter or mechanic, buys nails, lum
ber and tools, and himself probably pnts
from $100 to $500 worth of work on his own
house.
The churches are another example of this.
Every church which was left standing was
absolutely gutted of its furniture and
ruined inside by the water. All have been
refitted since the flood, and this refitting
probably cost 5100,000 in the agcregate. It
was generally done by popular subscription
among congregations of the same denomi
nation in "Western Pennsylvania.
DETAILS OF RECONSTRUCTION.
But to describe some of the details of
Johnstown's new growth would be interest
ing. Begin at Main street and go westward.
On the right hand side of this thoroughfare,
between Jackson and Adams street, there
are several new brick buildings, much bet
ter than those that stood there before. Di
agonally opposite them two frame shanties
mark the site of John Geis' large brick
mansion, which was swept away in the flood.
James Quinn's brick residence was also a
fine structure prior to the flood. The lot is
still vacant "Where Mrs. V. Luther's
brick dwelling once stood there are now two
frame stores one story high. Jacob Swank's
extensive brick block, which was carried
away, has only been replaced ,by a frame
structure. It covers the same large territory,
but is only one story high. Near this John
Henderson has also put up a large two-story
frame building for his furniture and under
taking business. His building, which was
swept away, was brick.
ALONG MAIN STREET.
A rather substantial three-story frame
store building, owned by Fisher & Co.,
stands on the spot where Strum & Fisher
once owned a two-story brick. At tho cor
ner of Clinton and Main streets is a two
story brick building. Before the flood it
was also a brick, owned by Jacob "Wild.
Jacob Feud has never rebuilt his large
three-story brick block, which was all
washed away. Two or three little frame
stores occupy a portion ot the lot now.
Loutber & Green's block has been repaired.
Ellis' building, which used to be a big ram
shackle, was washed away, and a substan
tial brick, three or four stories high, is now
being built there. The Merchants' Hotel
was torn down. The lot is still vacant.
Another vacant lot beside it shows where
the brick building of George Umverzagt
stood. A tinr frame storeroom has been
built on Mr. Luckhart's lot, next to it.
AN HISTORIC CORNER.
Scott Dibert's boot and shoe house, corner
of Main and Franklin streets, is one of the
handsomest buildings in town. It is a four
story brick built since the flood. At the
time of the disaster the lot was already
cleared for the loundation. The Gallaghers
are building a three-story brick just beyond
the corner. Nathan's Standard Store,
which was formerly a two-story building, is
now one W the small frame structures. On
the next square of Main street the buildings
on the left hand side coing down still
plainly show the high water marks. The
savings bank and Alma Hall have never
been repainted. The Y. M. C. A. occupies
a one-story ornamented front frame build
ing. THREE EMPTY CELLARS,
beside the Presbyterian Church have
never been touched. Along the park front
temporary storerooms put up by the State
are still occupied. Nearly 40 of them were
built right alter the flood on the condition
that tbey might remain 18 months. An
effort is being made by some of the citizens
to have them taken away long before that
time expires. Tenants have the use of them
free of rent, and other merchants contend
that time for their usefulness is past. The
popular tendency is to resurrect the park.
Dr. Lowhman's handsome residence on
Mam, below Franklin, has been entirely re
paired at a cost of $4,000. But three empty
cellars next to it show that no person was
left to make repairs.
A MOURNFUL BLANK.
From this point to the foot of Main street
that thoroughfare is still a blank. Long
stretches of ruined foundations on either
side of the street are grown up with grass.
The cellars are still filled with debris, just
as the water left them. In the distance of a
quarter of a mile not more than a dozen
residences are now standing. Mr. Fend,
turning his residence into the "Windsor
Hotel, has utilized the adjoining two dwell
ings as adjuncts to his hostelry. Frank
Hay has repainted his house with a deep red
to cover up the scars of the disaster. The
walls of the Cambria Clubhouse have been
repaired, but the'structure has not been re
painted, aad it is without its little iron
lence that used to ornament the place. Mr.
McMillan's house still stands half in rains.
John Codes' New Building.
Colonel Linton's beautiful residence re
mains close to the Point a ghastly remem
brance of what the conflict must have been.
The ruins have apparently never been
touched, and underneath the iaP'-n wall on
one side is still to be seen the witcked piano,
while curtains and tapestry still flutter in
the wind in the rear of the house.
ALONG BEDFORD STREET.
Bedford street is an example of how the
business houses have increased iu number
in Johnstown. At the upper end of the
thoroughfare Mrs. Harle has erected a
donble brick three-story building which is
occupied on the ground floor by H. Heffles
drug store, and J. H. Beckley's drygoods
store. Just adjoining, John Griffith has
erected a two-story double brick lor resi
dences. It will he remembered that Bed
ford street was swept clean by the flood, and
now it is dotted pretty closely all over by
new buildings. Few oi them are of int.
THE
stantial material, however. G. W. Showe's
bakery Is a two-story frame, while opposite
stands a double brick house with ornamental
front which belongs to Mr. Von Newland.
The residence of Mr. Joseph Zimmerman,
once large in size, has only been replaced
by a little bit of a brick law office. Many
members ot the family were lost tin the
flood.
AN INCIDENT RECALLED.
Just opposite, "William H. Levergood
sells hardware in a cheap two-story frame.
Formerly the site was occupied by the old
Levergood mansion, a substantial two-story
bricK. JNotabricc of it could be found
after the water subsided. Mr. Levergood's
mother was found the next day, dead, sit
ting ia-her own armchair, in the cemetery
at Kernville, nearly a mile away from
where the flood picked her up, It had car
ried her all that distance and deposited her,
chair and all, among the tombstones. There
was a very peaceful look upon her face, and
her features had been spared unsightly
bruises. Mrs. Buck, a woman in the house
with Mrs. Levergood at the time, was after
ward found alive on the branches ot a tree
in the neighborhood.
N. J. Swank, a painter, has erected a
small frame shop across the street Then
comes Susgarder & Greer, with a two-storv
frame furniture store. The next new blocs:
is frame also, and is occupied as three stores.
Formerly it was a tenement house.
WHERE 27 GIRLS PERISHED.
Mrs. Pershing formerly lived near here in
a frame residence. On the site of that
dwelling Is now a two-story frame with
three storerooms in it. A two-story frame
has been built on the site of the Hamilton
residence, where Jacob Hamilton and his
three daughters lost their lives. At Lever
good street nothing has yet been built upon
the spot where stood the three-story brick
house of John Clark. In it perished Mrs.
Clark and her three children. Several
VIEW
houses on Levergood street were twisted
around and moved six and ten feet On
Bedford street just beyond Levergood street
originally stood the Hager block. It was a
three-story brick business building, and it
was entirely demolished. The upper apart
ments at the time were occupied principally
by sewing women. Twenty-seven of these
women were drowned in the building and
only one person in the entire structure
escaped. He was a boy named Howe. On
the site of this building now stands two
shanties, one used by George Kiper as a
drygoods store, and the other by George
Shapine as a novelty store.
STORES WHERE DWELLINGS STOOD.
On Bose "Wesley's lot there is a new plan
ing mill. Before it was occupied by her
dwelling. Mrs. Davis' dwelling, which was
wrecked, has been rebuilt as a frame. "Win.
H. Levergood is erecting a brick store
further up street, into which he will remove
his hardware store. A large vacant lot
marks the spot where the residence ot C.
Ludwig went down to ruin. Everybody in
side of it was drowned. George Shrader has
built two storerooms nn the place where his
dwelling stood last year. The brick resi
dence of the lamented Jacob Swank has
never been rebuilt, but on itssite a mas
named Hartzell now runs a small store.
And thus, all along Bedford street, where
there used to be residences there are places
of business now. No doubt the cheap char
acter ot many of the houses will be made
better in a year or two.
CHURCHES NOT YET REBUILT.
On Jackson street the large plot of ground
covered by the ruins of the Catholic Church
is still bare. That was the church which
burned during the flood. Ever since then
the services have been held in a small frame
shed erected in the rear of the ruins. The
fence that surrounded the parsonage is still
standing. To the left ot the rear end of the
church property Is a substantial brick resi
dence erected by Andrew Foster. At the
corner or Jackson aud Locust streets, where
the frame residence of Theodore Zimmer
man, the attorney, was washed away, and in
which he was drowned, nothing has yet
been built. Nor has the German Lutheran
Church yet been rebuilt. It was entirely
swept away. The key of the building was
the only thing that survived.
ENCOURAGEMENT IN" SPITE OF LOSS.
This key figured in a pathetic little story.
The pastor of the church, Ke v. J. P. Licht
enburg, his wife, and their family of four,
all perished. The oldest member of the
church, Mrs. Ludwig, aged 00, lost all her
children four In the waters, and to her
the sexton of the old church gave this key
as a keepsake. But the grief Of her mis
fortunes was too much for her, and in six
weeks she died, clasping the key in her
hands.
Nearly half the membership of this church
fell a prey to the watery monster, butin spite
of the terribly reduced numbers, tbere is
now being erected on the lot adjoining a nice
brick schoolhouse, three stories high. It
belongs to the congregation.
MELANCHOLY LANDMARKS.
On every one of the four corners of Jack
son and Locust streets tbere is yet a vacant
lot, the ruined cellars still jammed full of
bricks and rubbish. Around on Locust
street the new two-story briok dwelling of
Mr. TJmversagt, Sr., will have a triple room
in it Dr. Zimmerman has erected a briok
residence since the flood, but where Charles
Ruth's house stood there is nothing stand
ing but a shanty. A new house is about to
be built there, however. But on the other
side, from Jackson street down, Loonst is
entirely bare, not a single building yet hav
ing been put up where the convent form
erly stood, or where private residences were
thickly built lip.
On Clinton street the new frame Burgroff
buildings are rebuilt about as well as they
were belore the flood. They occupy 100 feet
front, and contain several stores.
WHERE THE HULBERT HOUSE STOOD.
The East property, which was swept
clean by the torrents, is replaced by smaller
lrame buildings, used principally as store
rooms. A wide gap still lies bare and ugly J
as a reminder ot the spot where the finest
hotel in Johnstown stood. No steps what
ever have yet been taken to rebuild the
Hulbert House, where 60 persons were
drowned, or even to clean offtheloton
which it stood. Across the street a three
story brick is occupied by the "Palace Cigar
Store" and a shanty. Formerly McAteer's
Hotel stood there. " Geis, Foeter & Quinn,
before the South Fork dam broke, kept the
finest drygoods store in Johnstown, a little
farther down street, but to-day the lot where
it stood is vacant
In the opposite direction, on Clinton
street, may be seen the old Exchange Hotel
building. It is a low, white three-story
brick buildiug, and is said to havo been the
first hotel in the city. It was celebrated in
Portage railroad days. Yet to-day, with all
its age, it still stands, while such large and
sew sHMtares u the Hulbert Home were
jPV ..rJfpfCfT
"'.jfciajiuL. -
PITTSBURG
DISPATCH,
' I I .Ui'ff.
destroyed by the flood. Many curious things
happened on that awful Friday.
IMPROVEMENTS OFFSET.
In the next square of Clinton street, F.
Krenger is at present erecting two tall brick
business houses. The lot was occupied by
a frame dwelling before. As if to offset this
improvement, the lot just aeross tha alley
lies dirty and vacant. Before the flood it
was covered by a stately three-story brick
store building. Mr. and Mrs. C. Kimple,
who owned it, were both stifled Jto death in
the rising waters, and the heirs are now in
litigation over the property.trylng to decide
which one oi the couple died first. That noint
is necessary to determine whom the property
now belougs to. Some yards farther north,
Louis "Wehu has put up a three-story brick,
which is finer than anything that was there
formerly. Then again, where S. Lenhart's
fine three-story brick building stood before
the flood, now a single story frame occupies
the lot And so it goes all over Johnstown.
It is hard to tell whether the buildings in
the aggregate are better or worse than they
were a year ago.
THE NEW GAUTIER STEEL WORKS.
At the head of Clinton street James Bros,
have erected better frames than they used to
have there.. James Shumaker's house has
never been replaced, and the lot is yet va
cant. In the "Arcade" on Clinton street are
four stores now. They are all under one
roof, and the big frame structure is two
stories in height
From the head of Clinton street to the
banks of the Conemaugh river, and from the
corner up toward "Wood vale for the distance
of half a mile, the site of scores of dwellings
and stores, has been fenced in. This proper
ty has all been secured for the new Gautier
Steel "Works. Through it before the flood
ran two streets. They will never be resur
rected. On this Immense tract of land the
Gautier will be made 20 times larger than it
was. Several manufacturing buildings were
OF JOHNSTOWN TO-DAY FROM PROSPECT
erected since the flood, which have been in
steady operation. But the contract for the
enlarged plant calls for a structure 1,600 feet
long by 400 wide. This addition will cost
535,000.
UPPER WASHINGTON STEEET.
On "Washington street, from Clinton clear
down to the Point, the buildings are all
new. Everything there was flood-swept
From Clinton to Market the buildings are
on only one side of the street. They are
nearly all rebuilt of frame some 30 of them.
A good many oi these are restaurants and
saloons. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
depot was repaired early in tne year, and
the wooden freight sheds have been erected
since.
At the corner of "Washington apd Market
streets John Coads has erected a very hand
some five-story brick hotel. It was a mere
frame structure before the flood. Just
across the street from Coads' new house is
the city engine house a small frame struct
ure with a little belfry. Before the flood
the city had a rather pretty engine house.
From this point down, "Washington street is
only supplied with
A FEW SCATTERING SHANTIES.
The vacant lots and stunted foundations
of former buildings are numerous. Slow
Main Street, Johnstown.
progress is being made at rebuilding the ru
ined half of "Wood, Morrell & Co.'s immense
store, but when it is completed it will be
larger than it was before. The public li
brary is hardly commenced yet
Franklin street, from Washington to
Main, was swept clean by the flood, with the
exception of the stone church (M. E.) and
the few buildings it protected. David
Creed's brick tore building at the corner oi
Washington was never rebuilt, and the lot
is still vacant Little shanties now occupy
the site of John Brady's brand-new brick
store building of three stories, which went
to pieces in the flood, at the corner of
Franklin and Locust streets. Almost op
posite them are some more sbauties occupy
ing the spot where stood Fitzharris' three
story brick hotel.
MOBS SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS.
But Franklin street south of Main' street
showns substantial improvements. Theie is
the 50,000 Hannan business block just
being completed. It is probably the finest
business building in the city. Another
handsome brick structure on this section of
Franklin street is the building recently sold
to "Waters & "Walters. These are well set-off
by-Scott Dibert's big brick store at the cor
ner of Franklin and Main streets.
Market street, which was so terribly used
up in the flood, is now rebuilt with prob
ably 0 two and three-story dwelling honses.
Most of them are frame, though a very sub
stantial brick is sandwiched among them
here and there. On Locust street, below
Market, there is practically nothing re
built Here stands
THE LITTLE EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
It is a small, single-story frame, painted,
surmounted by a cross, and the bell is sus
pended in a tower on the adjoining lot
Before the flood the Episcopalians had a
pretty brick house of worship, but what
need was there for rebuilding a large chureh
again when nearly one-halt of the congre
gation perished, and the rector, Itev. Dr.
Diller, was lost with his whole family? The
rest of Locust street is still an open area.
In fact, the little Episcopal Church stands
in about the center oi what is known as the
Point, and it is nearly all unbuilt upon yet,
because it is nearest the junction of the two
rivers, and people want to know what will be
done about filling in and raising that por
tion of the town before they rebuild their
wrecked honses. Thus it is that here in the
section of Johnstown, easiest seen trom the
passing trains of the Pennsylvania Eail
road, tbere is so
MUCH OPEN TERRITORY YET.
The ruins are really becoming green with
the grass, while here and there corn has
actually sprouted up from between long
rows of bricks and debris from seed that was
JH kh A-mmM
THURSDAY, MAT 29,
washed there a year ago. This vacant area
is bounded by the stone railroad bridge and
Market street, and by Lincoln street and
the Conemaugh river. You can count on
vour fingers the buildings that are standing
in this wide space, but you cannot so easily
calculate from yawning" cellars, fence posts
and other fading landmarks how many
dwellings formerly stood along the streets
here. Through this section of the worst
flooded district run Main, Locust aud
"Washington streets, while crossing the
oasis in the other direction are "Walnut,
Csn
The New Epltcopal Church,
Union and John streets. 'Back along Stony
creek some extensive building has been car
ried on, and now that oblong district is
pretty solidly .built up with frame dwellings
almost down to tho awful fire district
around the stone railroad bridge.
IN KERNVILLE.
In Kernville probably 200 new dwelling
houses have been erected since the flood.
Some odd things are noticed here. Next
door to B. F. Horner's residence stands a
large two-story frame, which looks like a
new bouse. It is simply painted. It floated
there the night of the flood, having come up
from the lower end of the town. The house
that had stood there had been wrecked, and
here stood a new house next morning on the
HILL.
Jinndations of the old. Bo Emil Young,
the owner of the foundations, hunted up
the owner of the house, bought it from him,
and to-day is living comfortably in it. The
case of John Shorps, of Kernville, is similar
to this. He purchased the house which
A Typical Corner of New Johnstown.
floated into his yard that Friday afternoon.
It came from the extreme end of Kernville,
and the reporter was shown still a third
house that floated to its present comfortable
moorings from away over in Johnstown and
was subsequently purchased by the Kern
ville gentleman who now occupies it
UNDER THE CONSOLIDATION.
Since the flood the various boroughs lying
around Johnstown were consolidated with
the city, aud they are now all under one
municipal government The mayor of the
new and enlarged city was inaugurated by
a big parade and demonstration last April.
The result of this consolidation is already
appircnt. A wide and magnificently paved
street has been built irom Johnstown proper
up through the site of Woodvale, and down
the river through Cambria City. It is
lighted by electricity, and soon will be tra
versed bv electric cars.
Poor Woodvale borough has never been
rebuilt, although some poor families are
still living on its cite in those portable Chi
cago houses and "Oklahomas," Conemaugh
borough hrs been pretty thoroughly resur
rected by the carpenter, and Cambria City
has an addition of probably 100 new houses
to take the place of the old. In Morrell
ville, however, may still be seen some of
the early temporary shanties erected by the
Flood Commission." People still live iu
them for the want of something better.
WHAT OF TltE FUTURE?
Moxham has actually been created since
the flood. It existed only in name bofore,
but now the people show a desire to get to
it
11 ll""TT-"""'IT"!rs33l
TT
'
Rebuilding Wood, Morrell & Co.'s Store.
the suburbs. Buildings enough have been
put up there for 1,000 population. Os
bourne, Hornerstown, and the hillsides
all are dotted with scores or new frame
houses for homes.
Such is a picture of the busy, very busy
Johnstown of to-day. Much has been done.
'Much remains to do. r
one sad comcnjEircE.
A Plcnlo Tills Tear Which Ww Postponed
by the Flood.
The foung Men's Christian Association
of JohnBtown will give an excursion to
Ohio Pyle Falls, over the Baltimore and
Ohio road, in June. This recalls the fact
that the association had made all the ar
rangements for an outing last year, but the
flood entirely obliterated every vestige of
the excursion.
The association made a date with Division
Passenger Agent E. D. Smith, of this city,
and the latter attended to all the printing
for the excursion. The bills, posters,
tickets, etc., were shipped from this" city to
Johnstown on the day before the flood.
This was the last seen or the stuff, although
diligent search was made for it afterward.
The incident was recalled yesterday by
Percy F. Smith, who did tho printing, and
who shipped a duplicate of last year's order
yesterday.
Bid yourself of the discomfort and dauger
attending a cold, by using Dr. D. Jayne's
Expectorant, au old established curative
for coughs, sore throat and pulmonaryaffeo-tlons,
1890. v
STORY
OF THK
COHEMAUGH.
AU the night, and all the morning,
Clouds their aqneous burdens poured,
All the night and all the morning
Through the mountain gorges roared.
Like to tiger scenting blood.
Raged and roared the tawny flood,
Swift, impetuous; and resistless,
Like a feather, downward bore
Huge primeval boulders massive.
Forest from the hillsides tore.
Grand old giants of the forest,
Sturdy pine, and sturdier oak,
Like to weeds and grasses tossing,
Into fragments rift and broke.
Higher, higher, rose the waters,
Faster, thicker, fell the rain,
O'er its bounds the river swelling.
Flooded all the narrow plain.
Still the children laughed and shouted.
Still the writer held his pen.
Laughed and joked the busy master,
Laughed and joked his journeymen. .
Denser, lower, hung the rain cloud,
Down the hlllsiats torrent poured,
"While the tawny Conemaugh
Like a hungry lion roared.
Btill the,brawn7 workmen labored,
Still on lovers maidens smiled.
Still the merchant sold and bartered.
Still the mother rocked her child;
And the City of the Gorges,
City of the Conemaugh.
With the water lapping thresholds.
Flowing throuch the builded streets,
Naught of coming danger saw.
Felt no fear, or gloom of awe;
Heard no sound of bast'nlngfeet
To the hills for safety fleeing;
Saw no men with auick'nlne paces.
From their homes with pallid faces
Oath'rlng wire, and babe, and treasure
None the danger fearing, seeing,
All pursued their work or pleasure. -
Still her needle plied the seamstress,
And the housewife wrought with care
Still the maiden, singing, lingered,
Binding up her braided hair.
Higher crept the yellow waters,
Higher rose the river still.
Creeping up the steps and porches,
Creeping o'er the warehouse sill.
Still the banker told his silver,
Still the priest his masses said
For the soul whose earthly body
At the altar shronded lav.
Listen! was thaff thunder muttering,
Rumbling round the distant hills?
Is that but the storm king's growling
That the heart a moment thrillsr
Is that but a storm cloud sweeping
'Tween the gorges crowded down,
Sweeping dense before the blast
Rushing downward on the town?
Merer, save when equinoctials
Hurl the ocean surges high.
And the wall of waters, towering.
Topples thundering from the sky.
Crushing some brave ship to fragments,
Rolled a cloud so fraught with danger,
Rose to heaven so wild a cry.
Oath, and prayer, and shriek, and wail,
Shrilling louder than the gale,
With the torrent's voiCes blending.
Wall and shriek and prayer ascending,
Pierced the heart and filled the air;
'Mid the terror, dumb amazement,
Frenzied struggles, wild despair,
In the cries for lather, mother.
Calls, and shrieks for wife, and child;
Shonts and calls for sister, brother,
As the foaming torrent wild.
Sheer through walls resistless crashing;
Stone or brick or oaken wood.
Like to shot and shrapnel dashing
Hurtling through the battle's smoke.
Hurled the mountain pine, and oak,
Rude artillery of the flood;
Crushing, churches, homes, and people,
In that elementary strife;
Crushing hearts with human life.
OI the blessed heart of woman,
In that hoar's supreme dismay.
Sacrifice heroic making;
Brave devotion men display;
Self-negations, faith sublime.
Threads ol gold, aronnd the darkness
Of despairs, by love entwined;
Gleaming ever through the lapse of time.
O, the woe and desolation!
That in robe and shroud of awe
Clothe the City of the Gorges,
Wrapped the queen of Conemaugh,
Where throes of birth, and pangs of death.
Cry of first drawn, last gasped breath.
Minor, major chords of being.
Dawn and night of human life.
Iwain born Droblem of existence.
Intermingled in that strife.
Darkness o'er the water drooping,
Scenes of death, and horror, veiling.
As the night winds moaning, walling.
Sobbing dirges for the morrow
Kept accord with human sorrow;
Cry of parent, wail ot child.
Moan of sufferers, bruised, ana torn,
Sobs of breaking hearts beside the
Corpses from the water borne;
From 'neath log', and Dond'roas Irons,
From 'neath bricks, and stones, and mud.
Borne from crushed and dying hundreds,
Where the stone bridge stemmed the flood
Where the flames will roar, and hiss,
Fierce-devoured dead and qaick,
O the horrors of that death pile!
Frenzy of survivors, while
Red tongued fires eager lick
Dead and living, crushed and crowded,
In one broad cremation pyre;
Where the fragments ot their honses
Built and fed their funeral lire.
Houses reared from years of savings.
Fruit of many toilsome days.
For the dear ones, Christ have mercy!
Burnt to ashes in their blaze.
Who shall tell the frenzied seeking,
Hours of agony Intense,
Passed in waiting, fearing, hoping.
In the anguished heart's suspense.
Voices calling from tho hillside,
Voices calling from the shore,
Calling, calling, calling lost ones,
Who will never answer more.
Torches flaring 'long the river.
Torches blazing through the night,
While the mountain ashes quiver,
Quaking at the fearful sight.
Men the shore and torrent searching,
Frantic pacing to and fro:
Tearful women sobbing, dreading
What the torches' gleam may show;
Tender faces, torn and bruised.
Mangled in the weeds, and ooze.
With their tresses fouled and tangled
Eyes that wont with lore to shine
Torn from sockets, filled with refuse;
Gray hairs, black with mud and slime.
O, the stqny, tearless sorrow!
O, tho heart-breaks of the morrow!
Mournful City of the Gorges.
Horror-famous Conemaugh,
In an hour's rapid fleeting
Sadder sight the world ne'er saw;
Slender maldons dead, and clotuless.
Save the tresses of their bilr,
Lying in the harsh embraces
Of the cruel ruins there;
Lifeless babe and lifeless mother,
'Mid the weeds and bushes lying.
In their last embraces drowned;
Wife and husband, sister, brother,
Man and woman, ago and youth,
'Mid the the ruins dead and dying,
By the wreckage held and bound;
Where tho red flames dance and flicker
On the faces all distorted;
Ah! the lives forever saddened!
Hopes and plans forever thwartedl
O, the grand and glorious nature!
Scarce the hurried message telling
Half the horror, half the death,
Ktarca the lightning, swiftly passing,
Gave the direful story breath.
Scarce along the wires, sobbing,
Bureau tne story iar ana wiue.
Than the voice of pity swelling.
Came, and came from every side.
No one halting, no one waiting
For his neighbors1 lead, or law,
Fast as rose the waters round thee,
Stricken city of the Conemaugh,
Swooning in thy tears and grief.
Came the succor, came relief.
Up from California's gate,
Where Mt Shasta pierces air.
New England hills, and Tampa's sands,
Hndson, and the Delaware,
Rose and swelled the nation's voice,
Like another torrent's roar.
Flowed the people's offerings as the
Waters of the Conemaugh;
From the hearth of cot and mansion,
Hill, and plain, and vale and wood.
Coast to coast, across the nation;
God bless and spread such brotherhood,
For the seed our Savior planted
Eighteen hundred years ago.
Blossomed into precious fruitage
When distress, and death, and woe.
Riding on the mountain torrents.
In that terreaqneons war.
Smote the city of the Gorges,
Smote the queen ot Conemaugh.
O, the noble, generous nation!
Waitmg not for supplication,
Hurrying reet of thronging people
Crowding 'change, and church, and hatt,
Sixty million people giving.
Cheerful givme, one and all;
Thou! wh lovest tlio clieenul giver.
Prosper, Lord, the land furuver;
Children's pennies, widows' mite.
Workmen's offerings free as air;
From the left hand and the right
rrincaly girts or millionaire)
Clothes, and food, and gold, and Sllvor,
Grander sight the world ne'er saw.
Poured, and poured as flood that wrecked thee,
Smitten queen of Conemaugh;
Came like rift of sunshine breaking
O'er some dark tempestuous sea;
Promise in the future of the
Broader brotherhood to be.
Heal, O Lord, the broken nearted)
Wipe the tears of those who weep;
And this grand and generous nation
O! Our Father, bless and keep.
Geokqe HenbtThubstoit.
PrrrsBUBO, June 15, 1889.
The above was written by Mr.Thurston short
ly arter the awful calamity. The author did
not desire its publication, but finally consented
to its appearance in this Issue of The Dispatch.
DISPOSITIOfl OP MILLIONS;
HOW THE STATE COMMISSION HANDLED
THE MONEY GIVEN TO JOHNSTOWN.
A Terr Small Balance Now on Hand Pro
Tlilon Made for Orphans A Permanent
Hospital to be Bl"lt The Commission
Will Publish an Exhaustive Report.
It took many months to remove that em
bargo of debris from the streets of Johns
town. It took many thousands of dollars,
too. Beside all this the people were border
ing on starvation the first few days after the
flood. They had to be fed first, and then
they had to be clothed. After that, places
oi shelter had to be hurriedly built Then
it was discovered that many of the survivors
had no money to rebuild their homes with.
The task before the State Belief Commission,
appointed by Governor Beaver, was a pro
digious one. But it successfully fulfilled
every duty. The commission made a final
report on Jannary 18, 1890. It was as
follows!
RECEIPTS.
Amount received by Governor di
rectly. I,22S,87a83
Amount received from the Phila
delphia committee 600,000 00
Amount received from the Pitts
burg committee..... 860,000 00
Amount received from the New
Yorkcommlttee 518,199 85
Total cash receipts by Commission. .$2,602,072 63
EXPENDITURES.
Expended In Johnstown 12,452,83(3 Si
Expended in other parts of State.. 250,000 00
Distributed as specially directed by
donors 2,271 85
Office expenses. Harrisburg 1,393 42
General expenses 1318 70
Annuities to orphans 115,000 00
Appropriated for "Willlamsport hos
pital 6,000 00
Appropriated for Johnstown hos-
P.ttal 40,000 00
Balance now on kand 70,681 40
ABOUT THEEE MILLIONS.
The above balance of $70,631 is being
gradually reduced by drafts upon it for new
claims.
The above does not include the money
sent to the Local Finance Committee, which
amounted to between $100,000 and (150,000.
Nor does it include the money expended by
the Pittsburg Belief Committee before the
Flood Commission was organized, which
amounted to $250,000. On the whole, there
fore, there has been about $3,000,000 left in
Conemaugh Valley since the flood.
Secretary Kremer's report showed that
there had been left by the flood 116 widows,
to whom have been paid $179,471, and to
whom, for their children, will be paid
$93,250 in annual payments ranging as the
number and ages of their children. Secre
tary Kremer said: "The total number known
to have been lost is 2,228; there have been
recovered 1,675 bodies, and of that number
1,021 have been identified and 644 are uni
dentified. A FUTURE BOOK.
The Commission is now arranging for the
publication of a large book of more than
1,000 pages. It will give full details as to
the work of the body, and will make the
most minute statement of financial opera
tions possible. It will trace back every
dollar of the contributions as near its source
as can be done, and then it will give the
circumstances under which this dollar was
spent. A narrative of the disaster will be
written, trivincr some imnortant matter
hitherto unpublished about the extent of
the phenomenal rainiall which caused the
flood.
NEWSPAPER MEN AT JOHNSTOWN.
The Hustlers Who Reported the Flood Will
Hold a Reunion on Saturday.
The Pittsburg newspaper men suffered
many hardships in reporting the flood. It
will always be memorable in their lives.
Therefore they propose to go to Johnstown
on Saturday to attend the memorial services
in the different churches. A special tram
will leave the Union station at 8 o'clock
with about 100 active newspaper workers of
the city and the lady members of their
families. The party will arrive in Johns
town at 10:15, and will immediately repair
to the places where the services will be held
at 10:30.
Luncheon will be served on board the
train by Caterer Albert Menjon, of the
Hotel Hnquesne, from 12 to 1:30. After
luncheon the party will visit the cemeteries
Grandview being the main point of inter
est. At 3 o'clock the train will be run to
South Fork, and those who wish to visit the
broken dam will be given an opportunity to
do so. The train will leave South Fork
about S o'clock, and run slowly back to
Johnstown. A splendid opportunity will be
given the party on board the
train to view the wonder ul
improvements made bv the Pennsylvania
Railroad along the fine, particularly at
Conemaugh, For the purpose of allowing
everybody on the train to get the best view
obtainable ot the track of the flood and the
changes made within the past year, ob
servation cars will be put on tne train,
through the kindness of Superintendent
Robert Pitcairn and District Passenger
Agent Thomas E. Watt
Appropriate souvenirs of the occasion will
be presented to eaeh member of the party.
It is the intention of the men who were at
Johnstown reporting the flood, to form a
permanent organization and assist at the
memorial services each year. There were
about 60 hustlers, including one lady Miss
uora iieese irom this city, and the idea oi
gathering together on the solemn anniver
sary is a nnlqne one.
On Saturday evening a memorial banquet
will be given in Delmonico's, New York,
by the newspaper men of the metropolis
who reported the flood incidents. A special
invitation has been extended to the newspa
per men of Pittsburg and Philadelphia, and
several of them will attend the dinner.
JOHNSIOWS' MEMOEIAL SEBVICES.
They Will be Held at Different Piacoa on
Saturday.
Flood memorial services will be held on
Saturday and Sunday in all the churches in
Johnstown. At 9 o'clock a. ii. mass will be
said at St. John's Catholic Church for the
repose of the souls of those members whose
life went out with the floods of May 31,
1889. Eev. Father James P. Tehaney, the
pastor, will conduct the services.
In the evening the Mystic Chain of the
Conemaugh Valley will hold divine ser
vices in honor of their departed brethren at
the Lutheran Church, Rev. Mr. Conner, of
the Christian Church, officiating.
At St Columba's Church, Sixteenth ward,
at 10 A. si., Father Faner will conduct
solemn high mass as a tribute to their mem
bers who lost their lives in the deluge. The
services at this church will be the most im
pressive of any to be held on the occasion of
the anniversary. Several priests from abroad
have been invited to participate.
In the afternoon the Mineral City Band
will conduct services at Grandview. Rev.
D. J. Beale, D. D., ol the Presbyterian
Church, whose heroic services subsequent to
the flood have been noted in the papers so
often; Bev. H. L. Chapman, D. D., of the
First Methodist Episconal Church, and Rev.
Mr. Tehaney, of St John's Roman Catholic
Church, will make addresses in memory of
the "unknown dead," those whose resting
placesare only Wrked by a rough board,
on which is the number given the body
when the undertaker failed to establish its
identity.
At St Joseph's German Catholic Church
high mass will be celebrated at 8:30 p'clock
and on Sunday. Rev. Father Trautwine
will commemorate the great event in St.
Mary's Catholic Church, while on Monday
the Archabbot of St Vincent's Convent will
be hereto celebrate a pontifical requiem
for the vlotims of the flood.
THE AWFUL BLIGHT.
Continued from Nineth Fage.
is one of the most romantic and thrilling
stories of the deluge.
IT SOTJHDED A DEATH KKELIi.
The Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Churoa
was obliterated from the face of the earth.
The Welsh Baptist Church was badly dam
aged. The Welsh Congregationalist Church
was destroyed and the German Catholio
Church was knocked full of holes in one
wall by the debris and logs that were driven
against it In the Lutheran Church is the
steeple where hangs the bell that strikes tha
hour of the day, and by the large clock
dials of which three-fourths of the residents
ot Johnstown set their-watches. This clock
Flood Headquarters for Reporter),
never stopped, and at S o'clock that Friday
afternoon, less than 40 minutes after the
monster wave from Lake Conemaugh struck
the town, it slowly and deliberately tolled
the hour. Many people who were strug
gling for their lives at the time in the
meshes of the wreck have since related how
horrible the clang of that deliberate, agonis
ing bell seemed to them. It continued to
strike throughout that long night and in all
the weary weeks that followed. It still
strikes.
TJHriT FOE TTSE.
St. Mark's Episcopal Church, on Locust
street, was also annihilated. The Dunk
ard Church in Kernville had one corner
knocked out by the wreckage floating
against it.
The Presbyterian Church stood the ordeal,
though the frame structure of it the origi
nal church was ejecfed from its position.
Only the image of the Virgin Mary was left
at the German Catholic Church in Cam
bria. The interior of St Columbia Church
there was also badly wrecked. And thus it
was with nearly every other sanctuary
which withstood the flood in the city and its
boroughs. They were filled with water, mud
and wreckage and rendered unfit for use for
months. Divine worship on the first Sun.
day after the catastrophe was held in the
open air. Then lor weeks and months the
few halls that remained were occupied, or
services held in the storerooms.
A OUASTLX 3IEM0KT.
Becall to your minds the fire at the stona
railroad bridge the fire that ignited that
great raft of wreckage in which were en
tangled hundreds of human bodies. Still
remember, if you can, the stealth with
which the flames spread over its wide area
that memorable Fridav night when there
was no help at hand. Without much effort
on yonr part, your ears will again echo with
the shrieks of persous who, caught in that
wreck alive, were slowly burning to death
now. And as yon remember how, at dawn
on the next morning, yon watched with
horror the clouds of smoke that arose from
a greater funeral pyre than India ever
built, you may complete this picture of
Johnstown on Saturday, June 1, 1889.
Information Abont Johnstown.
For some of the information in the his
torical part of our Johnstown articles to-day,
The Dispatch is indebted to "The Story
of Johnstown," a handsome volume written
by J. J. McLaurin, of Harrisburg; and also
to the interesting history of the flood written
by Eev. D. J. Beale, D. D., of Johnstown.
The photographs of the Johnstown oPtc
day were made for The Dispatch by
Herbert E. King, of this city.
Aiwats use Piatt's Chlorides to disinfect
the house drains, water closet', sinks, etc
OFFICIAL PITTSBCKG.
SEALED PROPOSALS WILL BE BE
CE1VED at the office of the City Con
troller, until THURSDAY, May 29, 1890, at 2 P.
jr., for the repairing and remodeling of No. 1
Engine House, situate on Fourth avenue, near
Liberty.
Plans and specifications can be seen at the
office of F. J. Osterling, Architect No. 43
Fifth avenue. Pittsburg. Pa.
Bond in donble the amount of bid must ac
companv each proposal, said bond to be pro
bated before the Mayor or City Clerk.
The Department of Awards reserve the
right to reject any or all bids.
J. O. BROWN.
Chief Departmentof Public Safety.
Prrrsntnto. AIa7 17. 1S90. my20-75-D
PlTTSBTJitO, May It. 1830.
-TOTICE TO CONTRACTORS-SEALED
l proposals will be received at tho office of
City Controller until FRIDAY, the 6:h day of
June, A. D. 1S80, at 2 P. M., for the following.
viz:
SEWERS.
Boquet street from Sylvan avenue to a
point 200 feet south ot Wilniot street: 10-lnch
Blackberry alley, from Fiftieth street to
Forty-eighth treet; 15-inch pipe.
Crai"and Forbes streets, Irom Fifth avenue
to sewer on Forbes street at Dithridge street;
15 and 18-inch pfpo. ...,,.
Evaline street from Harriott street to Lib
erty avenue: 20-lnch pipe.
Forty-second street, from uardon alley to
Divison street: 18-Inch pipe.
Harvard street from Euclid street to Beatty
street; 15-inch pipe.
Harcum's alley, from Sonth Twenty-second
street to South Twenty-third street; 15-inch
Henry street trom 300 feet west to Crals
street sewer; 15-Inch pipe.
Keystone and McCandless streets, from Fifty
second street to Natrona alley: 15 and 20-Inch
Klrkpatrick street from Webster avenue to
Wylle avenue; 15-Inch pipe.
Lincoln avenue, trom Mayflower street to
Ncgley rnn: 18 and 20 inch pipe.
Liberty avenue, from Poarl street to Wlne
blddle street; 18 and 24 Inch pipe.
Lowell and Winslow streets, trom Mayflower
street to sewer ou Park avenue; 15 and 18-Inch
Park avenue and private properties, from
Meadow street to negieyrun; ia ana zu-incn
Shetland street, from Turret street to Park
avenue; 15-Inch pipe.
Tustin street, from crown west of JumonvlUs
street to Seneca street; 15-lncb pipe.
Twenty-eighth street and private properties
of Henry Phlpps. Pennsylvania Railroad Co.
and others, from Jones avenue to Allegheny
river; 3 feet brick and stone.
Wharton stro-t from South Nineteenth
street to South Twentieth street:15-inch pipe.
Webster avenue and Kirtpatrick street,
from Perry street to a point on Klrkpatrick
street, within 75 teetpt Bedford avenue; 15
inch pipe. . .
Wright's alley, from a point east of Sonth
Twenty-fifth street to South Twenty-Sixth
street; 15-inch pipe.
Aiken avenue and Claybourne street from
Pennsylvania Railroad bridge to a point 150
feet south of Center avenne.and on Claybourne
street, from Aiken avenue to Two Mile run
sewer; 15-lnch pipe.
Plans and specifications can be seen and
blanks for nidding can be obtained at the gen
eral office. Department of Public Works.
Each proposal must ba accompanied by a
bond, with two sureties, probated before the
Mayor or City Clerk.
The Department of Awards reserve the right
to releat any or all bids.
J E.M.BIGELOW.
rny2X-7 Chief ot Dep"t of Public Works.
EALED PROPOSALS WILL BE RE-
CfciVED at the office or the City Control-
leri
rnniil2P. M. on 8ATHRDAY. Jnna 7.1890.
fur fitting up offices in Municipal Hall for use of
Department of Public Safety. Plans and speci
fications for said work can be seen at the offlco
or Bitkel Sc Brennan. architects, Hamilton
building. Bond in donble the amount of bid,
with two sureties, must accompany each pro
posal, said bond to be executed before the
Mayor or City Clerk. The Department of
Awards reserves the right to reject any or all
bids. J.O.BROWN,
mv2S-8S Chief Department Public Safety.
PAINTERS SEALED PROPOSALS
will bo received up until FRIDAY. May
SO. 1890, at 2 o'clock. P. at. for paintine the Con
troller's safe. Information furnished on sp
Jilicatlon. The right reserved to acceptfot rev
ect JB. S. MORROW, Controller.
xaySO-li