Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-20
WIT, HuMoR AND PATHOs.
Odd Little Stories From the RuIns of Johns.
towu-The Fourteenth Regiments New
Cook-A Curious Circumstance About n
Circus In the Flood.

i Ooa lsitLie stories From tne kuins OIL 0huss
town-The Fourteenth Regiments New
Cook-A Curious Circumstance About a
/ Circus In the Flood.
lFRoM STAFF CORRESPONDENT
JoHNSTowN, Pa, June 19.-Out of the great
1 flood the Fourteenth Regim ent has gathered a
mascot in the person of Shad Lewis Jones, a
colored man. The fellow lived formerly on
| Cinder street, in this city. where he lost his
wife and one child. "Shad." which is the nick
name the soldiers have conferred upon him, is
character from the sole of his large feet to
the top of his cocoanut shaped head.
When he talks about the flood and tells how
he lost his wife. his voice becomes tremulous
with pathos and sincere emotion.
"Ah. gentlemen" he will say, 81 loved my
wife dearly, and stayed with her on the roof
as long as there was room for us both. But
when the water came SO near and SO high that
saw we wouldn't be able to hold on both, 1
jumped of to save myself"
But why did you not stay with your wife
and drown with her sooner than let her perish
by herself ?'' asked him to-day.
well, now, look here, sir; those were try
ing times" he answered; "and self preserva-
tion is the first law of nature.'
And that Is the only excuse he will offer. But
after the waters began to recede he went
anxiously looking about, and he never rested
until his wife was found and buried. 1t was
then DR.. Foster, of the Fourteenth Regiment,
found him. and he got him at once installed as
cook. In that capacity Shad has not only been
the man who furnished the table with all the
de1cacies the camp would produce, but he has
also been the main source of amusement and
entertainment to all the soldiers.
AN incident took place this morning in the
gorge of debris above the Pennsylvania Rail
road bridge, where gang OF Italians have been
employed in clearing out the wreckage and
hunting for dead bodies. They suddenly struck
an object. which looked very much like the
corpse of little child about 4 years OF age.
Gently and carefully, in order to keep the baby
unharmed, the man cleared the rubbish, dirt
and lumber away to lay the body bare. 1t was
hard task. because the logs had surrounded
the body as in a double wedge and its extrica-
tion was at last accomplished under very con-
siderable difficulties.
When the Italian had succeeded, however, he
was afraid to touch the body. so he called some
of his friends, but all were afraid to touch it.
Then word was sent to the Millville morgue
and In a few minutes half dozen men arrived
with stretcher for the transportation Of the
corpse to the morgue.
But when one of the undertakers examined
the body all the Italians ran away with horri-
fled astonishment when the man said: "Go
and get me an ak i will chop this body up and
bury the pieces"
The Italians were disguised at the brutality
OF the undertaker's expression and nothing
would induce them to come near him. and even
while everybody was laughing at their fright
they stayed away. The fact of the matter was
that the supposed corpse of a little baby was
nothing but very handsome baby doll, about
"a feet long.
ANOTHER peculiar coineident of the coming
of the flood attracted my attention to-day in a
printing office on Market street, Johnstown.
The place Is almost completely gutted, except
one room on the top 1oor-on the third floor.
Here noticed a number of placards. real es-
tate sale announcements. and other proof
sheets of various printed matter pasted upon
the wall. and among them was one which read:
People of Johnstown, look out for the cir
Gus coming May 81. The greatest attraction of
the age, the wonderful water queen. Come
and see her. Look out for she Is sure to be
here. Don't miss her-The Wonderful Water
Queenr'
While 1 was looking at the placard the
printer came up to me and said: THAT Water
Queen did come, did she not? But never
thought that would print the advertisement
for her."
The relic hunter, who has been a great
nuisance in Johnstown to the civil and military
authorities, can at last get all the relics he
wants if he chooses to pay for them. One of
the latest acquisitions here has been a relic
seller, and the fellow, who comes from Harris
burg, is doing quite business already. He
very fine stock of things on hand, but how long
1t will last is hard to tell. Old coins, pieces of
ivory from pianos and organs, tablespoons
forks, small ornaments and articles OF every
kin are sold from cents up to so cents and
dollar. HE1NRICHs.