The Press., 1889-06-06

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 JAMEsMoLAUaHLIN 6 SoN, PuBIIsHERs. $.5o per year. $125 when paid strictly in advance. A Terrible Dam Breaking Disaster i'm
 Pennsylvania.
 8 1000 TO IF, 900 LIVES LOST, AND $40, 900, 900
 DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.
 The bursting of reservoir near Johnstown, Pa, on Friday last was, in results of horror, death and desolation, more disastrous than any known in past history, and we may hope may never be surpassed by any Tn future. A dam at the foot of large reservoir situated on the mountain side 200 feet above the town of Johnstown gave way at o'clock, and the immense volume of water, over twenty feet in height, swept down upon the village, carry ing everything before it. The three towns of Johnstown, Conemaugh and Cambria were virtually wiped out. The disaster is the re- suit of the recent heavy rains. The flood went tearing down the valley, bearing on it's surface the wreck of buildings and bridges, also dead bodies. On the roofs of buildings and other debris were seen living persons. Now and then one was rescued by those along the edges of the torrent, but the greater num- Der went to their death. Passenger trains on the railroads were in several instances en- gulfed, some of the passengers being lost, others escaping by fleeing up the mountain sides. It was day of terror. The full loss of life will never be known. As the waters subside dead bodies are found by the hun dreds
 A horrible attendant of the misfortune was the focking of thieves to the place. These were chiefly foreigners of the lowest grade. Parties caught robbing dead bodies, even cut ting off fingers and ears to secure jewelry, were in some instances lynched by the citizens. Stafford people have had some experience with people of like thievish na- ture, who profit by such great misfortune.
 Money is being freely given in aid of the homeless survivors. The Connecticut legis- lature promptly acted on the recommendation of Gov. Bulkeley and appropriated $25,000. On Monday $110, 900 was subscribed in New York and $200, ,0OO in Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania railroad, itself losing millions of dollars worth of property, gives $25, ,0OO ir aid of the poorer losers. All over the coun try money is being collected, and the nationa heart is beating with sympathy.
 Only little by little can the full measure o the calamity be even faintly indicated. Int death-ron is still almost as far from compile ton as it was forty y-eight hours ago, and thu mournful conviction is strengthened that thu bodies of hundreds who perished will remain forever unidentified if not undiscovered. Th only cheering intelligence that comes iron the scene of desolation is that the work O burial, protection and relief is in firm hands that the great volume of assistance which ha already begun to flow thither will be directed into the proper channels, and that swift pun ishment will be inflicted upon the wretche who attempt to mutilate and plllage the dead
 Attention has been so concentrated on tn Johnstown calamity that the possibility o great damage in another part of Pennsylvani is almost lost sight of. It appears, however that there has been an unprecedented rise Ii the West Branch of the Susquehanna, cuttin of communication so effectuaily that ittl can be learned as to the results of the flood At Williamsport it is known that three-scor or more persons, who were standing on bridge watching the swollen waters, wer swept down to death. Other destruction c life must have taken place in that region.
 It will be great, almost miraculous goo fortune if the horrors of the flood are nc succeeded by the horrors of the pestlence One can readily understand the feeling whic overruied protest of the medical men agains the putting out of the purifying fires in Johns town; human nature has to be reckoned wit in such cases; but the physicians had con mon sense as we'll as science on their side.
 Washington thinks it has been damage at least $1 ,OO0, 900 by the overflow of the Pc tomac. The navy yard and the fish commii sion have suffered severely, it is reported, an there is uneasiness about the foundation ( the Washington monument. Probably thi is groundless, however.