The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-08


sand men have been ut work here today
clearing out the debris, but truth compels
the statement that the undertaking has
not yet been fairly started. Fires are
burning up and down the valley Of the
Conemaugh rs far as the eye can reach.
The air is thick with smoke, and yet to
people familiar with the situation the ei-
forts OF this army OF earnest toilers Is
hardly apprcciable. VIM. Flynn, mounted
on aweary-looking sloed, is riding up and
down the city directing the iorcmen in
their laboFs, and his executive ability is
telling It's own story. Something like sys-
tenn is being established, but the most
careful estimates are TO the effect that IL
will take 10000 men for weeks to clear out
the heaps OF ruins piled up for miles be-
tween the hills up and down the course Of
the river.
There is belief with many people that
newspaper reporters live chiefly in world
OF fiction. Could every person who reads
these lines see the frightful sights that
have confronted the members of the press
here during tho last week they would all
unite In declaring that only a small por-
ton Of the story had been told. Human
fancy cannot conceive the horrors Of the
situation. This report is being written
from the second story Of building worth
possibly fifteen dollars, which commands
n view Of tho mountain wreck at the
bridge. Thcstench that is waited through
the doorlcss and windowless structure by
every passing breeze is sickening, An
hour ago the writer completed tour Of
the mighty wreck in this vicinity
in company with Arthur Kirk, the
millionaire oil man who Is looking after
the work Of opening up tho river
enamel chiefly by the use Of dynamite.
Dozens OF human beings and animals were
10 he seen on the surface, cliarred and
blackencd by the fire, and in such q state
OF decomposition that the strongest man
could no more than glance at them. Mr..
Kirk, who isa man OF "iron nerve and a
stranger to fear" declared that he was
sick at heart aud anxious TO quit the aw-
full scenes. In fact, while hc was talking
with the reporter the chief OF the Sanitary
Committee came 10 him and said that the
directors ought to be glad to have him
stay and carry on the work. lie will stay
TO the last. but his task is an awful one.
Eighty.six men from Altoona, under or
dcrs OF the sanitary officials, are scattering
disinioclants over the area Of wrcckagc
that the railroad bridges stopped. Mr..
Kirk declares that thousands Of bodies will
We, be found in this territory alone.
The great trouble thus far experienced
at the bridge has been caused by the mas.
OF telegraph wires that reach across the
various spans through which the water
has passed. Line repair men are badly
needed to help in removing the wires, and
Mr.. Kirk says that rs soon as they arC
gone he will hustle the debris through by
the acre. The Western Union telegraph
officials have been asked TO send expo
rienced men here 10 help In tho work
The problem Of the hour is the disposal o.
the debris above the Pennsylvania Rail
road bridge. UnloSs II Is soon got rid O
the stencil will be 50 oycrpowering that ne
human being can Withstand IT,
The pneumonia scourgo grows alarm
ingly, notwithstanding the statements o
DR.. Croft, Of the State Board Of health
DR.. Sweet, OF Philadelphia, a prominen
member Of DR.. Gfoff's siad. cane dowr
from the Cambria Hospital tonight with I
startling report. DR.. Croft had retired
and no official action could be taken. II
your correspondent DR.. Sweet said
Prospect Hill is full OF pneumonia, will
dphthcra and measles. Tho hospital !
full TO OVERLOOKING, and today ] attended,
ioriy.two cases on the outside. They wcr
all most severe pneumonia. There Is ever,
condition needed for the spread Of thl
disease and fear an epidemic"
Dr. Darlington also reported scveri
cases Of pneumonia, having found then
on the bill near Morrellyllc. DR.. fusscl
came In with load Of information from
the Kornvile- bonneville district thi
evening.
The cellar Of house on Bedford stree
was found stored with wet clothing, which
was lull Of disease. Tho bonfire vas bril-
liant A butcher shop on franklin stree
was found full Of puirid meats, which wa
destroyed. Nine horses aud four cows wcr
cremaicd, making $50 animals In this dis
trict. A row Of human feet was notice,