Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1889-06-07

In the history of western Pennsylvania
journalism there has never been such diff
Guilty surrounding the gathering of news as
in the present disaster
The damage to mining property cannot be
estimated. A number OF collieries are flooded
and many are completely wrecked. 1t will
be two weeks before the mines can resume.
The Reading Coal and Iron Company will be
the greatest sufferer.
Pittsburg is absolutely wild with excite
ment. Every hour brings fresh news Of dis
aster. The widest sort of rumors are afloat
and the estimates now being made place the
loss of life far up in the thousands.
A house was seen floating down the Kis-
kimenetta today, near the intersection with
the Allegheny. In an upper window was a
man quietly trusting to fate. The house
swept down and crashed against the railroad
bridge at the intersection, and no more was
seen of the man.
There were some ludicrous scenes which
at a less sOrrowful time would have occa-
stoned much merriment Two amphibians
saw whiskey barrel coming down the AL
leghany river with stamps apparently in
good condition, and every indication that
the barrel contained some 40 or more gal
Ions of liquor. But they found the bung out
and the disgust on their countenances was
visible at distance of 200 feet. Another
floating barrel that excited vehement desire
LOI lJS p SSeSSlOn OH UIlb DdTJ Ol u crown Ol
navi ators was found to contain lard.
Some of the latest reports from Johnstown
say that seven houses are still standing, but
the chances are that hardly one is there.
1t is estimated that 10, 1000 people are lost,
and that Johnstown, Conemaugh, Morrell-
town and other suburban towns have been
washed from the face of the earth. The re-
giOn above Johnstown is yet to be heard
from; but in the mountains the same scenes
of desolation are reported.
The Pennsylvania railroad has bought or
contracted for 800, 600 worth of lumb9r for
rebuilding uses on the lines affected. The
contracts were made by telegraph yesterday,
and were generally at the owners price
without demur. Lumber yards all over
western Pennsylvania have been drawn upon
for all the heavy timber in sight.
Measures are being taken all over the
country by governors, mayors, Masoni
b dies, ETC., for the relief of g sufferers at
Johnstown and vicinity. The movements
seem to be general.
Wholesale robbery of the victims is re-
ported, and thieves are arriving by the
score. One unfeeling wretch was seen tC
rifle the pockets of deal man, and remove
his gold watch and chain, and then turn tc
a woman and take from her finger ring
A drunken Hungarian with q pick il
his hand was discovered In a partly
demolished residence in the act Of break
ing open trunk, when a police officer
came up behind him and dealt him blow
with his club which rendered him uncon
scious. The cash collected by the committee
here for the sufferers has reached $4,000, and
it is probable that this will be doubled in G
day or two. A carload of provisions anC
clothing was sent to Johnstown this morning
from here.
| The commissioners and poor directors Of
Indiana, Cambria and Westmoreland coun
ties have met at Nineveh to decide upon 6
plan for the burial of the dead. 1t is likely
that plot of ground will be selected JUS
across the river in Cambria county, and thu
same will be purchased by the three coun-
ties. One or two long graves will be
made, and the unfortunate dead, as fast al
they can be found, will be placed there
Poor Board Attorney Speigle of this county
states that no expense will be spared in re
gard to the burial of the dead. Immediate
action will have to be taken, as some of the
dead have turned black and are rapidly de
comp sing.