The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-05
sonErnIsG ABOUT THAT DAN.
tt Was Constructed af the Most Inferior
Matcriai-W am. Henry smith TaIk.

JonSsTowN, Pa, June Al notice
that one Of the members Of the fish.
ing club said yesterday that the club had
not filed an indemnity bond, ~ claimed
by citizen Of Ebcnsburg. and that no
complaints had been made about the safety
Of the dam by any Of the JohDstown ei..-
zens. lie Is undoubtedly correct abCd. .hC
bond, but is misleading as to the scscEd
part OF his statements. There Is no, a
shadow Of doubt bu; that citizens Of Cam
bna County frequently complained, and
that at the time the dam was constructed
vigorous effort was made TO put stop 10
the work. II is true that the leader In
this movement was not citizen Of Johns.
town, but. he was and is a large mine
owner IN Cambria County. Ills mine adj
Joins the reservoir property. lIc related
10 me on Saturday the story Of his labors
In an effort 10 protect the lives and prop
erty Of the people In that valley. Ile
was frequently on tho spot and his own
engineer inspected the work. lie says the
cmbankment WIS principally Of shalo aud
clay and that straw was used 10 stop the
leaking Of water while the work was going
on. lie called on the Sheriff Of Cambria
County and told him II was his duty TO
apply TO court for an injunction. The
sheriff promised 10 give the matter his at
tonton, but instead Of going before the
court, went 10 the Cambria Iron Company
for consultation. An cmployc was sent up
10 make an inspection aud his report was
favorable 10 the reservoir work. The Shcr-
III went no further. But the gentleman
referred to said he had not failed 10 make
public his protest nj the time aud 10 renew
Il frequently. This recommendation for
an Injunction aud protest wcc spoken Of
by citizens OF Altoona as q hacknoyed sub.
jccl. Confirmation was certainly had
about Forks, Conomaugh. Milyalo aud
Johnsiown on that fatal Friday. The
rumor OF an expected break was
prevalent early In the day, but citizens re-
marked that the rumor was familiar in
cident OF the annual frcshets. II was the
old story Of wild wolf" They gave up
the first floors 10 the water, and retired up
stairs 70 wait until the river should rcccde,
~ they had done often before, scouting the
oft told story Of the breaking Of tho rcsor-
yoir. The reader will zee at once the ro-
mafkablo conflict between that shale aud
clay story Of thc mine owner referred 90
above, aud the published statement Of
Gen. Morchcad, who had charge OF the
construction. that the masonry was Of solid
granite aud limestone, and was believed 10
be "a enduring ~ the pyramids Of Egypt.
The awful disaster would seem 10 confirm
the allegation Of the use Of unfit materials
In the construction.
The number Of passengers Of the day
express known 30 have been lost are six,
besides there are two ladies unaccountod
for, but who may yet be alive.
A conductor who was at Conemaugh on
that hlcful day claims 10 have run through
the cars and told the passengers 10 run 10
the mountains. The passengers who sur
yiyed are anxious 10 make the acquaint.
anco Of that same conductor. They Ger.
tainly neither saw him or heard him on
Friday Ills intention may have been
good, but the good decd was omitted.
When the passengers reached the noun
tain side they found there two conductors
In beautiful white caps. Their manner
was calm and their clothing was un-
spotted. asked one Of thom why ho did
not notify the passengers OF the breaking
Of tho dam. llo replied In some
confusion that he had not time. Ills COM
panion made report 10 his superior,
which report was carried over tho noun
tains by passenger that night but there
was nothing In Il TO indicate that passcn.
gcs were any cihis concern. lie reported