Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-07-11
THE JoHSsrows FLOOD.
/ wI,p,ins,on,an's Ezper,e,

A wIiniingtonian's Experience
There nnd How Things Look Now.
William MAILER returned on Saturday
from John Jtown, where he has been ever
since the news OF the recent disaster was
made public. When Mr.. Mailer, who
was refused license at the last term of
court for his place at Franklin street and
Lancaster avenue, read the published
accounts of the Johnhtown hood, he de.
termiced to offer his services and do what
was in his power to aid the suffering
people.
Said he: "I bad nothing to do and l
thought that might be OF some use mp
there" Securing letter of recommends.
ton from Mayor Harrington, he started
for Johnstown, reaching there at 9 O'Clock
on the Friday morning succeeding the
food and after being presented to Gen.
Hastings, he was put to work al o'clock
on the afternoon of the same day and
remained at work day and night for four
weeks TO the day.
MIR. Mailer was placed in charge Of
the big commissary department which
had its headquarters in the German
Catholic Church. This building was con-
stantly filled with clothing and pro-
visions which he, as chief, dealt out to
the suffering poor OF Johnstown. As
many as 2 GOO and 5000 people were
daily provided for from these quarters
and when Mr.. MAILER turned his depart
ment over to the town authorities last
week there was from spa, 900 to $50, coo
worth of supplies still left in the build
ing. Mr.. Mahler worked indetatigably
and often he penned letters while sitting
astride his horse.
That his services were appreciated by
General Hastings ia evident from the fol-
lowing very fl .ttering letter which he re-
ceived from the general on the day OF
his departure
JoHSsTnwS, Pa, July 5, 1S89.--Mr. VII.
| liam Mdh'tr, NV Dear Sir: have learned
| tnis morning that you have about finished
| your labors here and intended to leaye for
! Wilm nctOu day. While | am sony to
| lose your valuable assistance, yet appre-
ciate the duty that calls you home. can
/ not permit you TO 90, however, Without
4 thanking you In the warmest manner for
the services you have rendered 10 Johns
| town for the relief of the suffering people,
Having had charge Of the Catholic German
| Church commissary department from the
beginning, you have received aud dis.
triouted large amount OF clothing and
/ provisions. Your work has been sys'em-
ATTIC and thorough. You have co.operated
| with me In every way, and / thank you
officially and personally for the great ser
vlcs you have done 10 alternating the wants
Of the people here. know that you carry
with you the grateful recolections OF very
many OF the sufferers OF the Conemaugh
Valley. Very truly yours
ID. II, HASTINGS, AdJutant general
Mr.. MAILER says that the scenes there
after the food were indescribable. Only
two streets, Main street and Railroad
avenue, have as yet been excavated- The
other streets and avenues are still buried
under debris % and so feet deep. Not a
house that was in the direct course of
the n Jod will be left standing as the dan
gerous hulks Rrs being burned. In their
places have arrived the Il rst instalment
of 5DO small two storied frame houses
which have two rooms on the first floor
and two on the second or room for store
below and two rooms above.
Mr.. Mailer was able to gather mum.
Der OF valuable relics OF the food which
he brought home with him. Among
them are two clocks, one OF which was
recovered about Ave miles ehove Johns.
town. This one had stopped at 3 S.
p. m. Another one which was recov
cred 10 the town had stopped at 4 IL
O'Clock, showing that the intervening
Ave miles had been travelled by the flood
in 20 minutes.