The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-07-11
JOHNSTOWN.
Cholera norbus Attacks Che Stricken City.

Cholera morbus in its worst form has made
its appearance in Johnstown. DIR. Foster at
tended over 100 cases among tho workmen.
Early Friday morning Gen. Hastings aud Col.
Douglass were stricken down with the COM
plant, and were confined TO their beds. Tho
physicians say the disease is caused by the con-
tinued wet weather Tents and contents have
been soaking wet for the past three days.
On Friday morning John Donnelly, an en-
ploye of the morgue, in drunken stupor, lay
down on the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks on
the stone bridge and went to sleep. A passing
train cut Off both legs and caused fatal injuries
The heavy rains of the past few days have
again caused the river TO rise. A force of men
was working at tho now bridge on Saturday.
endeavoring 10 save the structure, which was
damaged yesterday, from going out with the
food Aside from this and tho work at the
jam at the bridge the workmen were idle.
Work was suspended for the day, except at tho
furnace, by the Cambria Iron Company. The
Bedford Street Hospital was closed last even
ing with grand dinner. The Red Cross Is
the only hospital now open.
Mrs. DIR. Frances $. Jerome, one Of the ply
sicians at Johnstown. in q recent letter to the
Chicago Relief Committee, who refused mt one
time to send their contribution, because they
thought the State WAS using the money for
clearing public highways and not for the re-
lief OF Immediate su Ierors says that unless
the people are given outfits of their own they
will be ruined wrecked forever. Their
strength of moral character is fast being lost.
owing 90 their mode of living and the State
Relief Commission is too dilatory in their re-
lief. She says that people are in worse cond.
ton than a week after the food, as they could
not then realize their situation. Young girls
are being ruined and children are running
wild. She suggests the establishment of day
schools. She asks that the Chicago Committee
trust 10 her the Sl50000 now in Chicago and
She will be- personally responsible for it's distri
button, and will give New York milIonares AS
her bond. She sHys IL the State does not inter
iere with red tape she can house and homo
every family in the valley inside of ii days.
Coroner Evans and his jury finished their
work Saturday night at 0 o'clock and In an
hour rendered the following verdict:
We, the undersigned. in inquest empan-
neled to investigate the cause of the death of
Ellen Hito on the day of May 81, after hearing
the testimony we find that Ellen Hito came 10
her death from drowning; that the drowning
was caused by tho breaking of the South Fork
dam.
We further find, from the testimony and
what we saw Gu the ground, that there were
not sufficient water weirs nor was the dam
constructed strong enough, nor the proper ma
terial used to Withstand the overflow, aud hence
we end that the owners of said dam were cnl.
pable IN not making 10 as secure AS il should
have been, especially in view OF the fact that
population Of many Thousands were in the val
ley below, and we hold that the owners arc
responsible for the fearful loss Of life and prop
erty resulting from the breaking Of the dam.
Witness our hands aud seais--.lohn Coboe.
Abraham FeFner, III. Is. Blair. John DeYine,
john A. Wissinger, and f. w. Cohick.
July q, ls5g."
The verdict was surprise 10 everyone, bat
appears 10 give general satisfaction 20 the resi-
dents Of this place. The jury held six sesaions
and carefully examined dozen Witnesses.