The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-06-14
AT WORK IN THE VALLEY.
THE DEATH LIST CUT DOWN TO
5000 OR 1000 PEOPLE.

--
An Overestimate of the Population
the Basis of the Claim That $4,000
to 1900 People Had Perished-
Business Men offered Long Credit
by Wholesalers.
JoHNsTowN, PA, June 13.-The first
real work under the supervision of the state
commenced this morning at 6 o'clock. The
whistle at the Cambria iron and steel
works was the signal for the men to COM
mence, and about 1, 500 started in with their
picks and shovels. The early morning was
warm and cloudy and the fumes and odors
from decayed bodies was something almost
unbearable. As the morning advanced the
weather grew warmer, and by 10 o'clock
the sun was shining brightly and every one
on the ground was hard at work. During
the morning crowd of worthless loafers
in some manner gained entrance so the town
and wanted to inaugurate a strike among
the workmen. Some of the laborers were
already dissatisfied at having a new boss
over them, and only wanted chance to
complain. james Mcknight Of Pittsburg,
one of the state contractors, got wind of
the trouble brewing and went among the
men and informed them that he would have
no kicking, and that all those VINO wished
to quit would have chance to do SO.
SOLDIERS DROVE THEM OFF.
About 100 of the men left, but the loafers
remained around, and Mcknight went to
Gen. Hastings and demanded protection for
his men. A detachment of militia from
the Fourteenth regiment was detailed to
the place, and drove away all the men who
refused to work. This caused Gen. Hast
ings to issue an order to the soldiers not to
permit any one to enter Johnstown proper
without an order.
The business men of the town seem to
have awakened to their senses, and this
morning number OF them were preparing
to start over again in business. Two
grocery stores were started near the Penn
sylvania railroad freight station. Both
places were doing a land office business, and
this encouraged other merchants to start
up, and the probabilities are that inside of
week at least 100 stores will be in opera
ton. Already two barber shops and one
jewelry store have been opened.
THE LOSS OF LIFE.
The general opinion among well posted
people here is that the loss of life will be
between 5000 and 1000. 1t was generally
given out that Johnstown and the boroughs
adjoining had population of $4,000, but
this was a very high estimate, and conserv-
$4,000 and 26, 900. Col Rogers, who has
charge of the registration, states that from
all he can learn the population only
amounted to about $4,000, and this ac-
counts for the 10000 people supposed to be
lost in the reports sent out from here to
the effect that $4,000 to $4,000 people were
missing There were s., 900 in these bor-
bodies recovered at different points
along the flooded districts are
very conflicting. Supposed official reports
have been sent in by different persons, and
these are also conflicting and put the num-
Der of bodies recovered at any where from
1100 to 1900. Consequently there is no
telling how many bodies have been recov-
cred.
DAY WITHOUT RAIN.
To-day was the second day since the food
that Johnstown was not deluged with rain.
Under the influence of the bright sun the
sandy soil was soon dry, and things in gen
eral frightened up wonderfully. A num-
ber of stores with their wares inside were
started anew, and large sales of flooded
goods were effected, being bought chiefly as
relics. The people are making heroic
efforts to clean out their houses and
fit them for habitation. Numbers
have combined to help each other
to reset houses on their foundations
and to remove the accumulation of drift
and rubbish which bars entrance to their
doors. The sewer pipes are all awry and
the cellars are all full of water. There is
need for engines to pump out the water as
early as possible. Siphoning has been tried
but with no success, as the cellars are much
lower than the ground.
The Cambria company started out corps
OF surveyors this afternoon to locate lines
of demarkation for the rebuilding and re-
pair of their demolished plant
HELP FOR THE BUSINESS MEN.
The first decisive step toward putting
Johnstown business men on their feet again
was made to-day, when about 200 mer-
chants, who had survived the food, many
OF them without dollar, met Gen. Hast
ings and assured him that they would
be re-established in business on long
credit. Both the Pittsburg and
Philadelphia wholesale men have
thls business courtesy. The meeting to-day
turned out to be an ovation to Gen. Hast
hgs. The meeting was opened by the
general, who said: 81 have been directed
10 clear the streets Of Johnstown and make
contracts with mon to open the
In order that merchants may be
enabled to get to and from their
business places. Our work is progressing
rapidly and vigorously, and the best thing
NA~AAoOOrAA
business over again. haYe communicated
with eastern firms who offer to assist
you if you will resume business
IN This city. l would suggest that you build
temporary structures for the present until
Inore favorable circumstances warrant the
erection of permanent establishments.
Fittsburg houses offer to stock your stores
with full line of first-class goods on long
credlt. L advise you to improve this oppor-
unity, and when in the course of time mat
.ers take more tangible shape you will be
aDle to repay all the losses incurred"
TOTAL OF THE BODIES RECOVERED.
Inc total number of bodies recovered to-
usy was nineteen, making the grand total
VI bodies recovered ,999. the mass at the
suone bridge was fired this afternoon, and
tonight is burning furiously. With it is
aaeStroyed all hope of recovering the bodies
mat are certainly there entombed.
Inc report of the bureau of transporta-
uon which died with the citizens relief
eeo1rnlt1ee was presented to james B. Scott
sooay. 1t shows that from June to IL,
Inclusive, that ], ,592 people were given free
transportation out of Johnstown. Out of
ssaaese, S72 were over the Pennsylvania, and
~ ~ over the Baltimore and Ohio, railroads.
pne p;i hundred and seventy-six were sent to
s55sstspurg by the Baltimore and Ohio, and
pS,oVe Do over the Pennsylvania; 157 were sent to
1nliadelphia over the Baltimore and Ohio.