davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-06-04
THE UNKNOWN DEAD.
Extremely Probable That Exact Mum.
Der Will Never be Known

JoHNsTowS, June 3.
Developments every hour make it more
and more apparent that the exact number of
lives lost IN the Johnstown horror will never
be known. All estimates made up to this
time are conservative and will doubtless
prove too small over 1000 bodies were
found since sunrise today The most scep-
teal concede that the remains of thousands
more rest beneath the debris above Johns
town briGge. The population of Johnstown
surrounding towns and portion of the valley
affected hy the flo 1l was from %. 900 to So,
900. conceneus of opinion among the
leading citizens of Iohnstown are that fully
80 per cent of the residents of JohnstOwn
and Cambria are victims of the continued
disasters of fire and water.
If this be true the total loss of life in the
valley cannot be les. than 1000 or 5000. OF
the thousands devoured by flames whose ash
es rest beneath the smoking debris above
Johnstown brijge no definite information
can be obtained as little will be learned of
the hundreds that sank beneath the current
and were borne safely down the Conemaugh,
and deposited hundreds of miles below on
the bank and among the drift wood of the
Ohio Probably 1000 of the dead will new
er be recovered. The estimate can never be
accurate as in many instances whole families
we're swept away and found common grave
beneath the waters.
At present there are said TO be 2200 re-
covered bodies. There is great difficulty in
getting a correct list there i. large mum.
ber of morgues and no central bureau of in
formation, and to communicate with the diff
ferent dead houses is the work of hours. A
journey from the Pennsylvania railroad
morgue to the one in the fourth ward school
house at Johnstown, occupies at least one
hour This renders it impossible TO reach
all in one day, particularly as some are stu
ated at points inaccessible to Johnstown.
At six O'Clock this evening the 630th body
had been recovered at the Cambria deposi-
tory for corpses.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-06-04
SPARKS FROM MAINE WIRES.

The Saco Driving Park Association has
elected the following officers for the ensuing
year President. John NJ Deering; vice
president. Samuel W. Sesvey; secretary,
George u. Tvombly; treasurer. Will. T..
Emmon. Several entries have air ady been
received for the June races
Richard VI johnson late Deputy y. s.
Marshal. came 10 Fort Fairfield, last Sstur-
day. was arrested on complaint Of George T..
Robinson for assault, and taken to Presque
Isle where he was srrsigned before a trial
justice. The complainant failed 10 put in an
appearance, the court refused continuance
and johnson was discharged
The safe biover- are abroad. ON Satnr-
day night the postofiice in Cornish was en-.
tered, the safe blown open and about $500,
half in money and half in stamps vere taken
by the burglars. In Brackets store, the
po.toffice building, vas another safe belong
ing 10 him containing considerable money
Of his own a. well a. sum belong
ing to Howard Brackett, town treasurer. IL
ali i, a mounted 70 about 500. The job vas
neatly done and is apparently the work OF
profes-i0nals. On Friday night at New
Giourrste burglars broke into the store OF
j s. Tue. Thy blew open hrs safe and
got s2j in silver. There !, no trace Of any
other loss.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-06-04
Gossip Of Tho Hour.

II this weather continues squash seed or
a kernel Of corn in the hand is worth .
dozen in the ground. 4forth Star.
For fear it might be overlooked, ~e will
remark en- passaat that Boston vslIoped
Chicago on the ball field yesterday twice.
They didn't have time to play any more
Chieago NaiA
May came in coy and blusbing, but she
disappeared from view in the arms Of that
old reprobate, General HnDdity. 1t vas
an Offensive spectacle. and ~s are glad 70 be
nd Of her.-Th. Tribpn,.
I:isa nice question shich makes a Chica-
20 man the msddsr-his not being born in
New York or George wasbington's not being
inauzurated in Chicago. The Tyt1nne.
Millionaire j. ID. Rockefeller sust be .
genuine hard she'll. At the recent Bzptis.
convention 10 Boston he gave six hundred
d liars for college in Chicago
Journal.
To-day the Law prohibiting the sale Of
cigarettes to minors in this Sta,e goes int
effect. The probabilities are tia, the smsl
boy will nov smoke himself TO death in orde
TO demonstrate his superiority to the law
The World.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-06-04

were in progress Friday night when the
water descended on Cambria City. The
church VAS filled with people AZ the time
when the roar of the food vas heard the
congregation succeeded in escaping from the
interior.
In few minutes the church Was partially
submerged, the water reaching Is feet up
on the side. The building was badly
wrecked, the benches being torn out Of the
entire structure on the inside and the outside
dismsntled Yesterday morning an entrance
vas forced through the hlocksded doorway
and the ruin appeared complete. One oh
ject alone escaped the waters wrath The
sisrue of the Blessed Virgin was decorated
and adorned because of the MAY devotions.
1t was As unsulhed As the day il WAS made
The flowers, wresths lace and veil were I'M
disturbed and unsoiled Every one that has
seen the statue and its surroundings arr
hrmly convinced that the incident is mirae-
ulous. About So Catholic priests and nuns
are here. The sisters are devoting them.
selves 10 the care of the sick and injured in
the hospitals. The priests are doing every
thing to make themselves generally useful
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-06-04
HORRORS INCREASE.
Revealed as the Work
Of Succor Progresses.
DecOmpOSing Dead Threaten an
Epidemic.
Impossible 10 Learn the Num-
Der Killed.
Bodies ManSled and Burned Beyond Rec
OsnitiOn.
Most Conservative Estimates Give 5000
Killed


JoHSsrows. June ).
Three hundred bodies were lying on the
sand at kernvilla at three O'Clock this after
noon An enormous crowd of people gath
cred arourd endeayoring to find the bodies
of friends OF re latives. No coffns were
there at the time and the bodies had to be
laid on the ground. Five hundred collins
are on their way here and the undertakers
have sent for five hundred additional.
kernvlle from now on will be the place
where most of the bodies will be found The
water ha. fallen so that il is possible to get
at the bodies, and all have to be dug out of
the sand, causing no end 10 the work. 1t is
thought that more bodies will be found at
kernville. under the large pile of debris,
which is about an acre in length. This is
where most of the buildings drifted, and il is
natural to suppose that the bodies tloated
with them.
Most of the rescuing party have been up
two days, yet they work with a determina-
tion that is wonderful The engine from
Pittsburg, which has been playing a stream
on the fire at the stone bridge all the after
mon, has almoS extinguished the fire, which
will be out by tomorrow, when the task of
getting the bodies under the burning debris
will be commenced in earnest
Ten bodies were taken out of the wreck
near the Cambria library this afternoon, but
on account of their manged condition, some
having their faces crushed in, it was mpos-
bic to identify them. Eight bodies were re-
covered near the Methodist church.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-06-04
NATIONAL SANITARY coMMIS-
SION
The President Finds 1t Impossible to
Send One to Johnstown

The Masonic Relief Committee that wen,
from Pltsburg to Johnstown, telegraphed
President Harrison this afternoon urging the
appointing Mt of National Commission to
take charge of the sanitary affairs at the
scene of the disaster. They urged the pres
ence of so many deeaying corpses would
breed pestilence there, besides polluting
the water in the streams and affecting all he
country between Pittsburg ami New Orleans
President Harrison conferred with General
Schoheid and Surgeon General Hamilton and
the fact developed that the National SANITARY
Corps, if such it may be called, is composed
OF physicians located at various points Dr.
Atkinson Of Plttsburg is one.
After full discussion the answer was re-
turned to the Masonic committee that the
national government could not interfere in
the matter. DR.. Atkinson would confer with
and assist the Pennsylvania state board of
health IN any measures 1t might institute in
aid of the public health and comfort and
Surgeon General Hamilton will be ready to
give advice or assistance 10 whatever under
taking might be carried forward by official
sanction and authority
A telegram to President Harrison this ev-
ening from Gov. Beaver says the supply of
food so far is equal to the demand The
supply of food and clothing is still greatly
needed Conservative estimate. place the
loss of life 5000 to 10000 and the los, rf
property from S25, ,0OG,O 900 to S45 900 900.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-06-04
STARTED WITH TEN THOUSAND.
Philadelphia . Subscriptions In tho Hun
dreds OF Thousands.

PuLAuEiruIA, June ;.
In pursuance of n call issued by the citi-
Eens of the permanent relief associati.n u
largely attended meeting Of citizens was
held at the mayors office for the considcra-
ton of measures for the relief of the Johns.
town sufferers Generous contributions
were announced A committee was appoint
cd To solicit subscriptions and visit Johns
town. Drexel 4 Co. were chosen treasurers
of the fund. Drelel 4 Co, started the fund
with $4,000, the subscriptions including
sl0,oo0 from the Philadelphia 4 Reading
Railroad, $1,000 from the Philadelphia beer
brewers and $1,000 from the baldwin Loco.
motive WORKS
uPt this evening the subscriptions amount
TO over slts 900 exclusive of the pcnnsyl-
Nania Railroad Company's subscription of
s25, 900 and Cambria Iron Co.'S SO, 900.
which amounts will be iispendcd at Johns.
town and vicinity by officials of those cor
porations. large quantity of provisions
and clothing, etc, have been contributed
and will be forwarded to Johnstown ms quick
ly as possible.
The bethlehem Iron Co of bethlehem,
Pa. today contributed $4,000 for the relief
of the Johnstown sufferers.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-06-04
w ATERVILLE.
Orders Passed by the Board of Alder
men-A Would be Suicide.


Special to the Kennebec Journal
WArERvILLE, June 3.
At meeting of the board of aldermen on
May 81 Mayor MeadeT presiding, the follow
ing orders were passed
That the committee on new streets be re-
qu-sted to examine the line of the proposed
new street or public highway between Oak
street in Waterville and West street in Fair
field. as pettione1 for by the citizens Of
Wsterville and Fairfield, and upon which
petition a view and hearing are to be held
June Is next, and to report the most desirs-
Bile route for the same; said examination to
be made by said committee at orce, and
said committee is requested to report to the
city council at its next meeting.
That the city council establish and FIX fire
limits in the city and allow no more wooden
buildings to be erected within said limits
That the petition of W. T. Iiaiues asking
for lowering of the grade of College street
ard the horse railroad in front of his lot be
referred to special committee consisting
of the mayor, the city solicitor and the pres
ident of the common council, with authority
to examine into the subject matter of said
petition and cause to be done at the expense
of the city what in their judgment is right in
the premises
That the special committee on fitting up
of city common be auth II z-i to
purchase A small fountain and drinking
fount, and place the same in said common,
and make connection of the same with the
volume of water provided for in the contract
with the Waterville Water Company, and
report the expense of the same with all
other expenditures by sad committee at the
.f he. nsfR
That the assessors he authorized to assess
upon the polls and property in the city to
meet the appropriations made to the several
departments, the sum nf S65. 45 92, said
amount to include the State and county tax
for the eu'rert year.
That the Mayor and Treasurer he author
lied to hire eight thousand dollars. and that
the same be appropriated to pay bills and
notes now due and becoming due.
That the report of the committee on
finance empowered 10 recomme nd salaries
of subordinate city officers herewith sub
mitted. be accepted and that the several
salaries be as recommended In sail report
Joseph Cote has been drinking so heavily
of ia.e as TO bring on an attack of teiriun
tremet.s and to necessjtate the placing over
him Of keepers Friday afternoon, hi,
phy sician. Dr. Fortier, thinking that ride
might do the patient gocd. took him out il
his carriage. During the ride, Cote vas toy
ing with = pocket knife, when he suddenly
made several desperate lunges with it at hi
own heart The doctor with considerable
difficulty overpowered the Tould-be-sgicid'
and wrested the knife from him. Upon ihei
return. Sheriff Hill was summoned. wh'
hanicuffed the man to guard against furthe
danger to himself or attendants It i
thought he may have to be removed to III
Asy lum-
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-06-04

half conscious Of their grisfs. One hears
neighbors greet each other. and then ipqnire
without any show of feeling hos many each
had lost in their family. Today sc heard
ore gray haired man hail another scross the
street, saying, Il los, five; all gone but Mary
and Il am worse of than that. replied
the other; Il have ouly my grandson left
seven of u, gone." He passed on without
any apparent excitement. The task OF
searching the ruins for more bodies went on
today in the soaking rain. Little crow Is Of
morbid curiosity hunters were around each
knot Of ~orkingmen There were thousands
of these visitors from the country today, and
the effect of the dreadful things they saw
and heard wss TO drive most Of them TO drink
by noon.
The streets are beginning TO be full Of
loi'erers and many countrymen. The police
then drove out and kept out all visitors who
had no good reason for their presence. Far
into the evening all the country roads were
illed with drunken slragglers
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-06-04
Bruised and Blackened Survivors

About 1855 houses are standing where there
stood thousands The large buildings es-
caped II Is estimated that one thousand
people lost their lives at kernvilie. But few
bodies have been recovered. Only about %
ab e-bodied men survived and they were
unable 10 render any sssistance Men and
women were seen With black eyes bruised
faces and cut heads The appearance Of
some Of the ladies is heartrending. The
injured in the food have not slept since and
their faces have turned to a sickly yellow
and dark rings surround their eyes. Many
snccumbed to nervous prostrstion, For tso
day. little assistance could be rendered
them. No medical aid or attendance reached
them and the wounded remained uncared
for in houses cut of BY the water and they
died from their injuries alone. Some were
alive on Sunday and shouts could be heard
by people on the shore
4 man nou in the temporary jail was
caught stealing a gold vat b. A shot was
fred at him. but be was not wounded. One
thing saved him from lynching and that wa.
the smallness Of the crowd. His sentence
will be the heaviest that can be given.
The services in the chapel from which
the bodies uere buried consisted merely of
prayer BY one Of the survivors. No minister
va. present Each coffin bad descriptive
card on it, on the graves a smaller card vas
[ placed. 40 that bodies may be removed
( later by friends. Cambria Hospital has 800
4 patients, with Dr. Buck and an efficient cerps
Of aids in charge. Two patients died yes-
! terday.
! The remainder OF the patisn;s are doing
we'll. Several injured people had operations
performed upon them. The hospital IN the
upper part Of Johnstorn i. full to overflow
ing and many were carried 10 surrounding
houses. One patient died and several ars
very low. Hospitals are established al
Conemaugh and Mineral Point
A Seemingly Miraculous Incident.
A, the Immaculate Conception devotion
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-06-04
SCENES AT ELMIRA
Streets OF the City Blocksded with
Wreckase.

ELMIRA, N. Y, June 3.
This city isin bal shape today, the streets
of the fifth ward which contains nearly a
quarter OF the inhabitants Of the city are al
most impossible on account of wreckage.
Riverside Park is wholly devastated. Rrad-
streets agent estimates the damage in this
city alone at $500 900. The Erie express
which arrived at the lower part of the city
Saturday, did not get into the city proper un-
Ill this morning. Two spans Of the Lacka-
wana bridge at Waverly are gone and mum
ber of miles of track betw cen mere and the
PAINTED post are washed away. The North.
ern Central traius from the south have been
blocked al Caftpn and Minnequah since Fri
day afternoon One passenger train is be
tween the two big vashouts a1d cannot be
reached. The road will not be open for bus
mess for three OF four day..
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-06-04
LIKE A GREAT TOMB
Mud Water and Cheerless Misery
Terrible Force OF Water illustrated d.

To give some idea of the destructive
power with which the water from the lake
struck East Conemaugh, it took a round
house with twenty seven engines. two hun
dred freight cars, about twenty passenger
cars includng four Pullmans and one pas
senger train on the track full of passengers
The conductor and engineer ran along the
train warning the passengers to flee Some
started and a portion remained and went
down, how many it is not known. The
track depot freight house and coal sheds
were entirely washed away. The mail mat
ter on the east bound train held there was
saved in a miraculous way by two or three
engines washing against the train, making a
breaker which diS ,ded the water and did lot
close until the car was passed. The mail
was not ev' wet. The destruction Of life
at East Conemaugh is less than reported. not
more than 25 persons
The property for three square miles up
from tie river, was totally destroyed About
42e Friday afternoon word uss telegraphed
from south Fork that the dam was break
ing Almost Immediately several locomo-
tives Whisted so long and loud that the
people real zug something was wrong rush
ed from their homes and seeing the water
coming fed to the mountains
Two huudrel and f fteen bodies were re-
covered from the Pennsylvania railroad de-
pot today After ing wash i they were
placed in csssets and arranged in lsnz row
on the depo, platform for identification. On
/ ly few were recognized and some were so
terribly aisfgured as to be wholly unrecog-
/ nzable. The waiting rooms in which the
/ embslming "a. done presented a sickening
/ sight. Human forms frightfuliy burned. cut
/ or bruised, we're laid upon rough boards,
washed and coffned
II not recognized in a very short time,
they will he placed on wagons and taken to
will be kept as long as possible and buried
/ in a grave bearing the legend "unknown.'
The burgers of Johnsiown and the acting
chief Of police deny that asy ole was shot BY
ex-Burger c. L. Deck yesterday The only
mAn shot Wa punctured 10 the leg by
Constable Callahan for refusing to stop wher
ordered when detected in stealing There
are now on duty in and about the ruins 40
police and deputies, which the surge..
thinks ample without military. Fe~ srresti
are made. By order Of the burgers all mer
who refused work today were given "a hour
tine to get out Of town.
Rain fell all day TO-DAY which added TO tn.
niseries of the xretehei people. The gres
plain where the best part Of Johastown useS
10 stand is half covered with rafer Few
sidewalks that in part escaped the food ar'
inche. thick with black. sticky mud. thro1 q
which tramped steady procession Of poo
women which are left utterly destitute Th'
tent where the people are housed IL cold an
cherries, and the town is like a great tomb
The people go about in sort of q daze. oni
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-06-04

ssr. They were caught in the branches Of
trees and weil.d in the corners Of the bank.
large sycamore tree in the river between
sang ilollo~ and New Florence seemed 20
draw into IL nearly all who iios,ed down,
they went under the surface at its roots like
lead. When the waters subsidized s0s bodies
we're found a, the root Of this tree. At
Piashurg Is bodies were found Saturday
and as many more were seen floating by.
Very few saved anything. We saw numbers
going down the stream naked, The sufer-
ing within the next few days will be fearful
unless prompt relief is extended.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-06-04
GOV. BEAVERS INFORMATION
Shows Newspaper Accounts Correct
Everything Possible Being Done.

PHILApELPHIA, June 3.
This afternoon Gov. Beaver teleRraphed
Superintendent Gill of the Western Union
Telegraph Company from Harrisburg that
he Is in direct communication with Johns
town. Sheriff Stinemsn telegraphs that all
is quiet 90 he can control without troops.
Good ord, prevails. No arrests were made
last night or today The relief is well organ
ized and has carefully distributed medical
a surgical help and supplies sufficient
Food sni maIe-up clothing for men, women
and children are greatly needed at once.
The newpaper reports as to the loss of life
and property are not exaggerated.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-06-04
Growth of the Grange.

State peput Il VI, Twi,cheH IN connee- e
tion with Csauty Deputy Hanne"eii' has
haeu lsborine ia Cumberland county uie
mast week, in the towns OF CnmoefiAnu'
Srsn,Itsh and RAYMOND. The result is ths,
At each place grange VIII be es'As'''nsu m
within few weeks AT kaFhoha' ~, :,
Twitchell gave his lecture on ''opportuD''.'
ard at the close thirty four names va"
cured for grange, to De lnstleu'e' 'uae
18th. Cumberland Grange OF 20 apguos"',
=, rno,e will be instituted June 'th- \
public meeting will very soon oe hsm -
Siandisl, where the farmers are en'u"s'"''N
IN complete the organization
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-06-04
PRESS COMMENTS
JOHN B. COTTON.
A Biographical Sketch OF the New
hFsistant Attorney General


~ - =.
Iohu Il punh' ESD "hose hPpo'hthe II
by the ife-la'ht 10 ot hS7'''aht Sttorh'y
general ot ti' hiteu states was announced
on wednesday IS a native OF connecticut
lie was born IN "ooIstocS IN that state IN
lotl. bht his f'ther removed 10 Ma'Sachu
'rIts 'oon a'ttt"ard' when John was l =,
F'''' "'' -, 80,
secured work IN one OF the Lewiston c"tion
mus ~ mt'nihlst. ne poy ai'o NorAti
IN the m'll t"f a"hiie' tifh went 10 'ie "ii
academy n NuDurh ana n''ed ior rol'ese.
tir entered b'"doln ~heh ne was =" years
9lN a''' X. .''"''N'N ''f'i i''"D' 80
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-06-04
DAMAGE TO OTHER TOWNS.


RENovo, Pa, June 3.
This town by Friday nights flood suffered
loss estimated at $3.50 900 The water
reached thirty feet above low water mark
Saturday morning three-quarters of the town
was under water and several thousand people
were driven from their homes.
Many houses with all the contents were
swept away and the flooded district is almost
entirely gutted. At Lock Haven the flood
was even more destructive Nearly every part
of the town was flooded. At Emporium aud
other points the lumber interest suffered.
The loss will reach nearly 81 900, 900.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-06-04
BY TELEGRAPH.
SIGNAL SERVICE
weather Indications for III. Mar. "a
Hcura

WAs DErAETsEsr.
ofice Of the Chief Signal Officer.
WAsHIsGros. June ( lA.M.j
For Maine Rain on the coast and light
rams N the Interior. Slightly warmer, with
southerly winds.