Democratic messenger., 1889-06-08

Il TO the cemetery. No hcarses are seen
In Johnstown. Relatives recognize their
dead, secure the collins, gc' them carried
the best way they can to the morgues and
then to the graveyafds. A prayer, some
tears-and few more of,he dead thous-
ands are buried in mother earth.
A frequent visitor to these horrible
places Is David John Lewis. All over
Johnstown he rides powerful grey horse,
and TO each one he meets whom he knows
he exclaims "Have you seen my sister ?"
Hardly waiting for reply he gallops
away, either to seek ingress into n morgue
or to ride along the river banks. One
week ago Mr.. Lewis was worth 100000. his
all being invested In a large commission
business.
To-day he owns the horse he rides, the
clothes on his back, ard that Is all. In
the fierce wave were buried five Of his
near relatives, sons and his sisters Anna.
Louise and Maggie. The latter was mar
ried, and her little boy and babe were also
drowned. They were all dearly loved by
the merchant, who, crazed with grief,
mounted ON his horse and Is now a con-
spicuous figure In the ruined city.
Al RACE WITH DEATH.
J0MSsTowN, Pa. June 3.-Just rs on
May 10Th, 1874, Myron Day rode at thun.
dering speed down the valley Of Mill
River, Mass, TO warn the imperilcd peo.
pie of the bursting of the great reservoir,
so namelcss hero attempted a similar
heroic and humane task in the valley Of
the Conemaugh on Friday afternoon, but,
unlike Day, his life was sacrificed to his
courage. Who he was may never be
known, but his life will be forever famous
In local history. Mounted on big bay
horse he came whirling down the pike
which passes through Conemaugh to
Johnstown, shouting his warning: "Run
for your lives to the hills The people
crowded out Of their houses along the
thickly settled street awe.struck and
wondering. Nobody knew the man, and
some thought he was maniac, and laugh.
cd.
On ut quick pace he rode, and shrilly
rang ont his awful cry! In a few mo.
mcn,s, however, there came cloud OF
ruin down the broad street; down the
narrow alleys, grinding, twisting, hurling,
0ycrturning, crashing, annihilating the
weak and the strong. II was the charge
Of food wearing its coronct Of ruin and
devastation which grew AT every instant
of its progress. On and on rushed the
rider, and on and on rushed the wave
Dozens of people took heed of the warn
ing and ran up the hills. Poor. faithful
rider! II was an unequal contest. just Us
he turned across the railroad bridge the
mighty wave fell upon him, and horse,
rider and bridge all went out into chaos
together
THOUSANDS MISSING.
Where are the people," This is the
question asked on every side, and look
of terrible apprehension and shake Of the
head is the only answer that can he given.
Ofthc i0,OOO or 10000 who dwclt in
Concmaugh and Cambria boroughs, not
10 OOO have been seen alive UndOubicd
Is many reached places of safely, but il is
equally certain tina, many did not.
All over the country arrangements are
being made for the relief of the sufferers.
Prompt aid is needed, and il is being free.
Is furnished.
Throughout Western Maryland and the
District OF Columbia the floods have been
very great and much damage has been
done.