The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-06-10
ALARMED CITIZENS,
Tie Sanitary Condition OF JohnStown
Causes General UneasIneas.


Causes General UneasInesS.
JoHNsTowN, PA, June 0.-Thero Is an
unusual activity in this city, Notwlth-
standing all reports to the contrary, the
authorities are thoroughly alarmed at
the present situation. Calls for addi-
tional workmen were posted, and orders
to rush the work OF removing DRIFT were
issued. II is rumored that all occupants
Of houses in the lower parts oftown are
to be removed TO tenements and tents
on the hillside.
In conversation with correspondent
to-day W. II. ..Devore, sanitary expert
and funeral director, in charge Of the
Pennsylvania railroad morgue, said:
"ln four or five days twill be impos-
sible for men to work exhuming the
dead. Even now 1t Is frequently the
case that men not used 10 the work are
obliged TO relinquish 1t owing to the
condition OF some Of the bodies.
AN AWFUL SITUATION.
II shudder TO think Of the Conse.
quences in case warm weather should
set in at once and continue. Rains, like
that OF this morning, are also to be
dreaded, as they have the effect OF
bursting the gall bladders, after which the
bodies will deCompose very rapidly. II
fairly cool weather will only continue,
and the work OF recovering Is pushed
rapidly, as advocated, We may escape
the immediate danger.
"But there Is another question that
does not seem to have been taken into
consideration. In my opinion there are
hundreds OF bodies, both OF human be.
ings and animals, that will never be
found, being buried out OF the reach OF
the searchers, but which will mako
themselves disagreeable when prepara.
tions for rebuilding are commenced. l
do not candidly consider that Johns.
town will be habitable for the next five
years. 1 do not advocate the use Of fire
10 remove the debris until the last poss
sible moment, as many bodies are in
such positions that the flames would
not reach them"
Prof. Q. II. Blow, Of Chicago, who has
charge Of the embalming corps at the
Fourth ward morgue, says:
FEAR OF WARM WEATHER.
"The condition Of the town is bad. In
case untavorable weather should set in
the state Of affairs would be simply ap.
palling. Immediately back Of us Is a
stable, where there arc purifying bodies
OF half a hundred cows, pigs and horses,
tho odor from which Is at times almost
unbearable. Also, in the ruins in the
immediate vicinity are number oi bod.
les, variously estimated at from 500 10
1000, which we can't hope to get at for
u week at least. Think OF what their
condition will be when recovered"
DR.. r. s. Huidekooper, Surgeon Gen.
eral on the staff OF Governor Beaver, was
Of the opinion that the sanitary condi.
ton OF the town was good, considering
the circumstances. He said:
THE GREATEST DANCER TO CONF.
u consider that the greatest danger Is
to be looked for in week or ten days,
when the people recover from the pres.
ent excitement. am afraid that the
reaction will result In hundreds OF cases
OF nervous exhaustion, temporary In.
sanity aud perhaps still more serious
diseases, l hope this will not prove the
case, but l am anxious. However, we
are prepared for the worst, and shall do
oil In our power 10 prevent an cpl.
demiC."
A visit to the Red Gross Society dis.
closed the fact that there are 42 cases oi
sickness In their hospital, divided as fol.
lows: Diphtherla, 10, q gain Of 8 since
yesterdays nervous prostration, 25i
pneumonia, 9; premature birth, 81
broken ribs, /. The society has q thor.
oughly efficient statF Of surgeons and
nurses, and a large supply Of medicines,
instruments, etc. They are prepared 10
remain Upon the ground until an danger
OF an epidemic is passed.