New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-06-05
CAN DAMAGES BE OBTAINED :
A PROMISE OF INDEMNITY BUT NO BOND.
INCIDENTS ALONG THE WATERWAY FROM
yoHNsrowN TO PITTSBURGH cHIDD's
INDIFFERENCE TO THE DEAD.

JCHN6T0wN TO PITTSBURGH CHIDDS q.
INDIFFERENCE TO THE DEAD.
lnY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUsEl
Pittsburg, June Am interesting question In con-
necton with the great catastrophe is whether or not
the South Fork lake Association can be made TO pay
damages for the ruin which their burst dam has
wrought Ever since Friday afternoon there has been
talk Of criminal and damage suits against the elAp
which is composed OF tho wealthiest men Of Pfttsos
such as Charles J. Clark Of tho Union Freight Line
Anthony T. Heating, iron manuiscturor'
and others. To-day, It was reported that the asso-
citation was compelled to file an indemnifying bond
10 the smount Of 90 900 900 before their charter was
issued. When the bill giving them the rights and
privileges which they have for ten years enjoyed was
before the Legislature It desperately opposed by
the represen atves OF the counties OF Blair and Cam
bria In the latter Johnstown Is or was located The
members from Cambria and Blair Counties ceased TO
fight the promise that the indemnifying bond would
DO fled with the prothonotAry Of Cambria County At
Ebensburg Father Boyle the leading Catholic priest
OF Ebensburg said that he had examined the records
and had found a record OF the charter but no trace
Of the bond II is reported that Mr.. Keatng and
several other members Of the association went to
Ebensburg to examine tho records
Samuel Hawthorn, deputy collector in the Internal
Revenue Office IN PitBburg, received message to-
day stating that all but OF his tventyfour relatives
at Johnstown had persisted. The lost ones Included
four brothers, two sisters and seventeen nepbewS and
nieces.
Among those who we're saved and returned to Pitts-
burg to-day was Charles F. stnson, . we'll. known
musician Of this city, who went TO Johnstown ten
days ago and started music class. lie says
AT IL 40 O'Clock on Friday morning Msin.st
was four feet under water. Halt hour later the
people Of the town were warned leave the South
Fork dam was Hkoly 90 collapse. They had however,
received the warning frequently IN tho last
ten years that no heed paid 10 10. and Instead
Of fleeing 20 the mountains thsy entered their houses
At 4:l5 p. m. the whistle blew and the bells rang
1t the last warning, and It meant that tho dam
was broken. In moment the streets were black
with people fleeing TO the mountains. Even horses
and cows seemed 10 realize the impending calamity,
mlnglIng with the fleeing multitude. when those who
reached the h in safety turned 10 look al the town.
they the waters OF the lake hy feet high rushing
on lIAs whrlTInd Above the roaring Of the avanc-
ing waters could be heard only family tho Ehrfeks
OF tho poor people who stood the rooh OF thoir
homes weeping and praying 10 God to save them
Suddenly there crashes, houses SmAShiHg into
each other and sinking, carrying their human burden
out OF sight with them. Whom night cane, tho town
in total darkness fuckering Light from the
ruins of hundreds OF houses, which lodged against the
stone bridge Of tho Pennsylvania Railroad"
Already the horror has taken an every day aspect
and people have grown hardened to the pltabe sight
IN manner which, II not sen, cOuh hardly 30 DO
llcved. AT tho st. Cloud Hotel. MorrellvIle.
paper AFtbI VINO rrtulTcu tOnIEnl, htOpVtu III INC
hope Of obtaining, II poss ble something TO eat. The
landlord led the way 10 the dinlngToom and tnen
started OF TO find his wife. In another moment the
lsndlady entered WITH tbs news nat everything was
eateD-" Not thing left. There arc lots OF pies M
the next room, in the cupboard, but I can't push
through all those dead bodies IN set them" Her
husband :. once respond'd Al r'Sss IN SET ts1%o
bis way among the bodies which lay around pcd IN en-
indescribaoe heap gained the closet spd came oS.
seoming bsrbarlty would have weakened IN. hearts
Of the strongest but the pathOs OF tho occasion
was utterly lost In tho terrible familiarity caused by
the extent Of the disaster.
Near the hotel llttlc boy about seven years OF
age playing in tho ruins, perfectly unconscious
Of his proximity 10 the dead bodies which lay AL
around. At the waters edEe, as ho pushed away
some Of the underbrUsh, he discovered little baby
With the peculiar curiosity Of child. he lfed his
little foot and pressed Il down the bRby's fhce
the weight released Il and set Il ahoat, Ths litte
fellow IN great glee up 10 tho st. Cloud and told
the story with gnsto. The lIttle body was taken
| from It's watery grave.