New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-06-10
WORSHIP AT JOHNSTOWN.
PEOPLE ASSEMBLED IN RUINED CHURCHES
AND THE OPEN PLAIN.


Johnstown, Penn, June GA mantle OF mist
hung low over the Conemaugh Valley when the
people Of this town rose this morning; but about
the time the two remaining church bells began to
toll, the suns rays broke through the fog, and
soon the sky was clear, save for few white
clouds which sailed hzly 10 the Alcghanics
Never in the history OF Johnstown did oongrega-
tions attend more impressive church services
Some Of them were held in the open air; others in
half-ruined buildings, and one only in church.
The ceremonies were deeply solemn and touching
Early In the forenoon German Catholics picked
their way through the wreck 60 the parsonage OF
st. Josephs, where Fathers Kesbernan and Aid
snid four masses. Next 10 the parsonage there
was great breach in the walls made by the
flood, and one-half OF the parsonage had been
carried away At one end Of the pastors recep-
tion-room had been placed a temporary altar
lighted by q solitary candle There were white
roses upon it, while from the walls above the
muddy stains, hung pictures Of the Immaculate
Conception, the CrucifXion and the Virgin Mary.
The room was filed with worShippers, and the
PEOPLE spread out into the lateral han hanging
over the cellar washed bare Of its covering. No
chairs or benches were in the room. There was
deep hush as the congregation knelt upon the
damp floors, silently saying their prayers. With
a digniied and serene demeanor the priest went
through the services Of his church, while the
people before him were motionless the men with
bowed heads, the women holding handkerchiefs
20 their faces
Back of this church, the side
Of hill, there gathered another con-
gregation of Catholics Their church and par
souDge and chapel had all been destroyed, and
they met in yard near their cemetery pretty
arbor. covered with vines, ran back from the
street. and beneath this stood their priest Father
Tahncy, who had worked with them over q quar-
ter Of century His hair was white, but he stood
erect as he talked 10 his people. Before him was
q white altar. This too, was lighted with q single
candle The people stood before him and on each
side, rcvercntly kneclng on the grass rs they
prayed Three masses were snid by Father Tahney
and by Father Matthews, Of Washington, and then
the white haired priest spoke few words OF en-
couragement 10 his listeners lie urged them 70
mnke manful struggle TO rebuild their homes 10
assist ono another in ther distress and 70 be CRATE
ful 20 oil Americans for the helping hand extend
ed 20 them Other Catholic services were held
at the St Columbus Church. in Cambria, where
Father Troutwen, OF 81. MRrys Church. Fhthers
DAWN and Smith said mass and addressed the con
regntion. Father Smith urged them not 10 sell
their lands 20 those who were specializing in mems
misery. but TO be courageous until the city should
rise again
AZ the Pennsyivania station n meeting was held
on the cTnhanlunent overlooking the ruined part
Of the town Tbo services were conducted by the
Rev Mr. MoGuire, chaplain OF the lIth Regiment
Tho people sang Come, Thou Fount OF Every
Rlsrslng," aud then Mr, MeGuire read the, psalm
beginning I win bless the Lord at all times
James Fulton, manager Of tho Cambria Iron
Works spoke encouraging words. He assured
them that the works would be rebuilt and that the
s, 900 cmploycs would be cared for. Houses would
be built for them and employment given 10
all in restoring the works. There was Strainec
look on mems faces when he told tnem In low
voice that he held the copy Of report which he
had drawn up on the dam, calling attention TO the
iaGo that IL was extremely dangerous TO the peo-
pie living in the valley. The meeting closed with
the singing OF Nearer, my God, 10 Thee
The other meeting was held in the open air
at Adams and Main sts. II wa, conducted by the
Rev. David Bcal Of the Presbyterian church An
address WINS made by William Tumblcston, prcsi
dent OF the Philadelphia Retail Groccrs' AssOcia-
ton. who is here assisting the sufferers
A committee has been appointed by Father Tab.
ney, OF st. Johns Roman Catholic Church, 10
collect all the Catholic children mndr orphans
will be provided for them. Miss Annie Ely and
Miss Maggie Walk of the Children's Northern
Home, in Philadelphia, have come here 20 take
back orphan children with them.
Miss Elizabeth Bryan. Of Germantown, was
recognized to-day after being buried several
days The clew TO her identity was her Jewels
which were kept at one Of the morgues after
her bu-ial
William Young private in Company c, lith
Regiment shot and killed himself this afternoon.
He was despondcnt because his captain would
not let him 90 home when he had become worn
out from being on post duty. lie went 10 his
tent and blew Of the top OF his head with his
rIh.
Dr. Croft OF the Sanitary Corps, has issued
rroc clnmation declaring that there is not large
amount OF sickness in JohnstOwn and that II
the work Is pushed and the people take care OF
themselves, there will be no danger Of Thsu-
lence There are seve raj cases Of diphthcria and
some Of pneumonia here.
Governor Beaver arrived here this morning.
lie has come to look over the ground TO see what
should be taken by the State lie
held secret consultation with j. Scott, the
director Of the town Colonel Mctrecry' OF tItts-
burg. Colonel Schoonmakcr, Alrl HhckhonSe,'
, ,icr.prcsident OF the Cambria Iron Works; Cen
eral Hastings, General willis aud others. They
were in session for over one hour and hall
idol tbat the Goyprnor should turn the city
over 90 General Hastings on Wednesday. This
means practically that the city will be under mar
tial law 1t was also decided that as the cly
,rns without A head a commission should be alI
pointed Ly the Governor, TO have complete con
troll Of the municipal government unti tne town
should be able 20 take care OF Itself Inc Gor-
ernor can lend 81 900, 900 to the city, under the
law II surety be furnished by business men Of
other cities and this will be done,
l.r,a ,urbnr of bodies were taken from Stony
rrrek today. where they had been LEFT by Ia" bnck-
wash, Near the pontoon bridge erected by thg
Government engineers four corpsrs were tonnd
,i.tb'n IN L,ur They were Lodged in some rub
biSh i' which lad caught on snpken tree IL :s
i'm possible to tell how long 1t wlii pe oStorg .ne
rjvprs mr. thc town nre thoroughly cleared. Ihere
oyr 90 90 he no reason, however for changing the
estimates Of loss OF NE or the 900 iPnGoHms tbar
,,o ,io saved Many people left town before
ihr Man Of registry was adopted. Many more VIII