The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-06-27
YOUNGSTOWN REvIvING.
Thousands Of Workmen Clearing Away the Wreck.


About 1000 men arc working on the debris
which accumulated at the Stone bridge, while
some 500 men, who were discharged because of
dissatisfaction, are walking about the place
seeking work from other contractors. The
turbulent spirits of the crowd have been try
ing TO inaugurate strike, but have been un-
successful. Gen. Hastings proposes to make
oil men who will not work leave the town. and,
If necessary, will call upon the Militia toaen-
force the order.
A contract has been entered into with some
Chicago parties to build 300 portable houses
for the people of Johnstown, which can easily
be put in position at comparatively small cost.
Bodies are being constantly found amid the
debris, and they are so decomposed that they
are buried Immediately, almost all of them be-
ing unrecognizabIe The resident physicians
of Johnstown held consultation last week,
compared notes, and came to the conclusion that
at least 10000 lives were lost by the disaster.
As these doctors were acquainted with the pe0-
pie of the city, this statement of losses is there
fore considered the most accurate which has
yet been made.
On Sunday church services were held in the
open air, the ministers using dry-goods boxes
for pulpits. There were thousands of excur-
sionists In the city during Sunday, seeking
relics of the food.
Surgeon General Read, of Pennsylvania, made
a report regarding the sanitary condition of the
flooded district in which he states that he has
been unable to discover nythng which is liable
to produce an epidemic other than the tents and
surroundings of the workmen. The refuse
straw which has been used, and Is now piled up
in the vicinity of these tents is likely to produce
an epidemic of measles. The General recon-
mends that the straw be burned Immediately.
lie also makes several other suggestions regard
ing sanitary measures, which Gen. Hastings
proposes 10 carry out Immediately.
Tho suffering has boon aleviated and contri-
buttons are still coming in but are not nearly
so heavy as they were two weeks ago. Still,
there is no actual want, and everybody gets
enough to eat, and all are well clothed. Bust
ness is reviving quito number of stores hav-
soon as the temporary houses which have been
contracted for arrive the town will again as
sumo its wonted business appearance.
Johnstown suffered from fire on Monday,
some 80 houses being devoured by the flames,
aud but for tho fortunate circumstance that
the wind was in the right direction, the entire
town would now BIO in ashes. Tho blaze began
at / o'clock, in tho First Ward schoolhouse.
Close by the schoolbailding. and all jumbIod
up, were some 30 houses, some of them In good
state of preservation. These houses immedi-
ately took fire. and tho Games spread rapidly,
and for q time IL looked as though the town
was doomed The fire lasted about four hours,
but was finally controlled by the fire compa-
mics.
On Monday afternoon, between 2 and 3
o'clock, n charge Of dynamite exploded near
the second arch from the east end of the bridge.
From the great body of wreckago tossed in the
air pieces of human bodies few in all directions,
and the remains afterward gathered indicated
at least six corpsos had been blown up. They
were doubtless close together near where tho
dynamite WAS discharged