The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-06-06
THE RELIEF CORPS.
Distributing Goods from the Pittsburgh
supply TrainxClearins Away the Debris.

SOMERSET, PA, June 2-The provisions
and clothing sent on the relief train from
Pittsburgh to Johnstown did not reach the
south side of the Conemaugh river until day
light The train got only to Sang
Hollew, and all night the volunteers
from Pitt;hurgh were busy carrying goods
across washort quarter mile long to
an engine on the other side. At daylight
they got some to the stone bridge and there
ran them across on rope ferry to the north
side of the Conemaugh. The rest were
hauled over the hills from Merrillville to
Kernville, on the south side. They were all
sorely needed.
Saturday evening citizens of Johnstown
organized local relief committee with A.
j. Markham President. This morning it
took charge OF the stores sent from Somerset
and other neighborIng places. and distrib-
uted them from headquarters at the
Fourth Ward House. This committee also
took charge of police arrangements and
brought some order out of the chaos which
had ruled since Friday evening. John
Harris, Chief of Police, has lost his wife and
family, and was untitled for work. Alex
Hart was appointed temporary Chief. He
appointed fifty special deputies and guarded
the RUNS
The work of removing the debris was be-
gun in earnest by large force of
men. Main street was attacked first.
Both ends of it were soIIdly
filled with ruins. while the center for q space
OF 700 yards wide was swept clear to the cob
Bile stones and cellars. This was In the path
OF the wave center, which coming down the
Ceaemaugh valley fifteen feet hip sw.pt n
clear path through the town furlong wide.
About twenty bodies were recovered IN one
block on the east end of Main street. They
were taken to the school-house and laid out
for Identification.
WHERE MANY MET DEATH.
The first ruin of the west side of the clear
space was the Halburt House. 1t was SUBJ
stantial looking brick building and when
the flood was seen coming many persons
rushed to it for shelter. It collapsed like
an egg-shell and the slaughter was awful.
There were fifty-three persons in it. Only
seven were rescued. These were
Frank Benford. the proprietor, Wall
Berford. brother, sister, two OF the
servant girls, John D. Dorsey, of Philadel-
phia, and Smith, the leweler. When the
debris were cleared CHASTITY sights were dis
covered. The bodies, cut ana bruised and
coated with mud, were packed close together
among timbers and brick.
SOME OF THE VICTIMS.
Among the bodies taken out there were
Wilson, the clerk; Walter Spite, travelling
Tor Newlir, KEugh S Co., Philadelphia; J.
A. Little. of Pittsburgh, agent for L. H.
Smith & Co., and James G. Cox. of Pitts
burgh, travelling for Posey, Slater & Co.,
Philadelphia. West OF the Hubert House
the street was filled with wreckage ten
feet high, but many OF the
large business blocks were standing.
A hundred and fifty people were saved on
the roof of the big block of John Thomas s.
Sons. They remained there all Friday night
and when rescued Saturday morning, were
chilled with exposure. All the employees of
Wolf, Son s. Thomas, twelve in number.
escaped to the loof and the building stood.
The first floor was gutted, and the firm esti-
mates its loss at S65 OOO