davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-06-14
Walking in the Torrents Path.

walked late yesterday afternoon from
New Florence tOa place opposite JOhnstown
distance OF four miles. [ describe what [
actually saw. All along the way bodies were
seen lying on the river banks In one place
woman was half buried in the mud only
limb showing. In another was a mother with
a babe clasped to her breast. Further along
lay husband and wife, their arms wound
around each others neckS. Probably fifty
bodies were seen on that side of the river,
and it must be remembered that here the cur
rent was the swiftest, and consequently fewer
of the dead were landed among the bushes.
On the opposite side bodies could also be seen,
but they were all covered with mud. Near
JOhnStOWn the Wreckage became grand in it's
massive proportions.
The scenes, as [ neared Johnstown. were
the most heartrending that man was ever
called to look upon. Probably three thou
sand people were scattered in groups along
the Pennsylvania Railroad track and every
one of them had relative lying dead either
IN the Wreckage above, in the river below, or
In the still burning furnace. Not house
that was left standing was in plumb. Hun
dreds Of them were turned on their sides and
in some cases three or four stood one on top
of the other. Two miles from Johns
town, on the opposite side Of the
river from where L walked, stood one
half of the water-wOrks of the Cambria
Iron Company, structure that
had been built of massive stone. It was filled
with plankS from houses, and large abut-
ment of wreckage was piled up fully fifty feet
in front of it. A little above ON the same
side, could be seen what was left of the Cam
bria Iron Works, which was one of the finest
plants in the world. Some of the walls are
still standing, it is true, but not a vestige of
the valuable machinery remained in sight.
The two upper portions Of the works were
swept away almost entirely and under the
pieces of fallen iron and wood could be seen
the bodies of more than forty workmen.
At this point there is a bend in the river
and the fiery furnace blazing for quarter of
q mile square above the stone bridge came
into view.
My Godr' screamed a woman who was
fastening up the track, ''can it be that any
are in there?"
Yes, over a thousand" replied man who
had just came from the neighborhood, and it
Is now learned that he estimated the number
at one thousand too low
The scenes of misery and suffering and
agony and despair can hardly be chronicled.
One man, a clerk named Woodruff, was reel
ing along intoxicated. Suddenly, with a
frantic shout, he threw himself over the
bank into the flood and would have been
carried to his death had he not been caught
by some persons below. Let me die" he ex-
claimed, when they rescued him. My wife
and children are gone; have no use for my
life An hOur later [ saw Woodruff living
on the Cr0USd e0tireIz overcome hy Iinnn"-
Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-06-14
GOV. BEAVERS APPEAL.
An Urgent Call for Help From Penn
syivania's Chief Executive

Governor Beaver, of Pennsylvania, has is
sued an appeal for aid. 1t is addressed to the
people of the United States He SAYS:
Newspaper reports as to the loss of Hfo
and property have not been exaggerated
The valley of the COnGlnaugh, which is pccI-
liar has been swept from one end 10 the other
is with the Bosom Of destruction. Ii con-
tanned a population of 40 900 TO 80 900 people
living for the most part along the banks Of "A
small river confined within narrow limits
The most conservative estimates place the
loss of life at 5000 human beings and of prop
erty at S25, 900, 600.
Those who are least able II bear IL have
suffered the loss of everything. The most
pressing needs, SO far rs food il concerned,
have been supplied Shoes and clothing Of
all sorts for men, women and children arc
greatly needed Money is also urgently re-
quired to remove the debris. bury the dead,
and care temporarily for widows and orphans
and for the homeless generally.
"A careful organization has been mndo
upon the ground for the distribution of what
ever assistance is furnished in kind. The Ad-
jutant-General of the State is there as the
representative of the State authorities and
is giving personal attention in connection with
the chief burgess of JOhnstown, and a com
mittee of relief to the distribution Of the help
which is furnished. Funds cOnCributed in
aid of the sufferers can be deposited with
Drexel & Co. Philadelphia: Jacob T. Bonn
berger, banker, Harrisburg, or William X.
Thompson q Co, bankers, PittSburg. All
money contributed will be used carefully and
judiciOusly.
The people of the Commonwealth and
others, whose unselfish generosity is hereby
heartily appreciated and acknowledged may
be assured that their contributions viii be
faithfully husbanded and judciously ex-
pended, and that every effort possible will be
made to bring their benefactions to the i'm
mediate and direct relief of those for whose
benefit they are intended"
Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-06-14

Dg til Uppnn emauhv swngh Reservoir the Source
Indo
se Key
Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-06-14

Persons who knew him said that he had
never tasted liquor before
Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-06-14
A Paul Revere Among the Dead.

A nameless Paul Revere lies somewhere
among the nameless dead. Who he is may
never be known but his ride will be famous in
local history. Mounted on a grand big bay
horse he came riding down the pike which
passes through Conemaugh to JOhnstown like
some angel of wrath of old shouting his pOr
tentous warning: Run for your lives to the
hillsp' Run to the hills The people crowded
out of their houses along the thickly settled
street. awestruck and wondering. Nobody
knew the man, and some thought he was a
maniac and laughed. On at quick pace he
rode, and shrilly rang ont his awful cry In
few moments, however, there came cloud OF
ruin down the broad Streets down the narrow
alleys, grinding, twisting, hurting, over
turning crashing, annhilating the weak and
the strong. 1t was the charge of the food,
wearing its coronet of ruin and devastation,
which grew at every instant Of its progress.
Forty feet high, some say, thirty according TO
Others was this sea, and it travelled with
swiftness like that which lay hidden in the
heels of Mercury. On and on raced the rider,
and on and on rushed the wave. Dozens OF
people took heed of the warning and ran up
to the hills. Poor faithful rider; it vas an un
equal contest. just as he turned aCrOss the
railroad bridge the mighty wave fell upon him,
and horse. rider and bridge all went out into
chaos together. A few feet further on several
cars of the Pennsylvania Railroad tram from
Pittsburgh were caught up and hurled into
the cauldron. and the heart of the town
reached at the hero, who turned neither to
Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-06-14

A correspondent Of the New York World
VINO was among the first to reach Johns
town after the awful disaster, sent the fol-
loving vivid description of what he saw:
L have just come from JOhnstoyvn DrOne1.
over rope bridge which was COMPLETED this
afternoon. [ reached there at o'clock last
night, and tell only what I did see and do
know
Inc mighty wave that rushed through this
Conemaugh valley on Friday evening cut a
sWath of death thirteen miles long. In its
way lay one of the most thickly popu-
lated centres OF the keystone State.
and within a few minutes from the
time the dam at Lake COnemaugh
broke houses were rolling over one another
IN mad Whirl as they were carried by the
seethlng waters down the gorge between the
Endless hills. At Johnstown the whole cen
ter OF the city was cut as if a mammoth
scythe had passed over the land At that
place was large stone bridge of the Pennsyl-
wanna railroad Company, one of the strongest
InaJ Chat company owns. The COnemaugh
River IS crossed by it at an angle Into this
angle houses, trees and fences that came
down the left side of the river rushed and
were piled one on top of another until the
arches under the bridge were closed the CIR
rent of the COnemaugh was changed and the
Wreckage began to pile on high until rafters
and tlmbers projected above the stone. Then
the houses, nearly all crowded with people.
crashed one after another until this terrible
Wreckage extended a half mile up the stream
No pen can tell the horror Of the shrieks of
The thousands who were in the mass of float
ing ruin.
Shortly after the blockade had formed the
dry tlmbers OF the houses caught fire and the
mass nearest the railroad bridge became a
glowing furnace. Hundreds of people who
mad not been drowned or crushed in the mad
rush downstream were burned alive Their
Shrleks as the flames reached them made the
most stOut-hearted wiring their hands in agony
at Their inability to render assistance The
WIND blew from upstream. The air became
hIled with the grueSOme OdOrs of burning
human flesh until at last the horrors to sight
nearing ana smell became SO great that per-
sons III the vicinity were forced to leave the
place. Meanwhile the greater bulk Of houses
had gone down along the right bank One
mad rush carried away portion Of the stone
bridge, and then the flood bore down upon
the thousands of homes and floated them
further westward in the Conemaurh.
1t was only little after five Friday after
noon when the first warning came and as il
had been raining heavily all dav the citizens
of JohnstOwn and the neighboring hamlets
thought that the slowly rising waters only
meant light food. Thus the inhabitants
were either grouped in windows or in the
open doors, watching what they expected
would be an imposing spectacle, but nothing
more. NO one seemed to think it necessary
that they should take to the hills, and so all
Were caught IN the fearful rush
Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-06-14
Pathetic Incidents.

The sad scenes will never, all be written
One lady told me of seeing her mother crushed
to pieces just before her eyes andt mangled
body carried off down the stream. William
Warner lost six children and saved a babe
about eighteen months old. His wife died
just three weeks ago. An aged German, his
wife and five daughters ffoated down on their
house to point below Ninevah, where the
house was wrecked. The five daughters were
drowned, but the old man and his wife stuck
in a tree and hung there for twenty-four
hours before they could be taken off.
One of the most pitiful sights of this ter
rible disaster came to my notice when the
body of young lady was taken out of the
Conemaugh River. The woman was ap-
parently quite young, though her features
were terribly disfgured. Nearly all the
clothing except the shoes was torn off the
body. The corpse was that of a mother, for
although cold in death the woman clasped
young male babe apparently not more than
year old, tightly in her arms. The little one
was huddled close up to its mothers face,
who when she realized their terrible fate,
had evidently raised the babe to her lips to
imprint upon its little lips the last mOtherly
kiss it was to receive in this world. The sight
was a pathetic one and turned many a stout
heart to tears.
Among the miraculous escapes to be re-
corded in connection with the great disaster
is that of George j. Leas and family. He re-
sided on Iron street, Johnstown. When the
rush of water came there were eight people
on the roof The little house swung around
off its moorings and fioated about for nearly
half an hour before it came up against the
bank of drift above the stone bridge. A
three-year-old girl with sunny golden hair
and dimpled cheeks prayed all the while that
God would save them, and it seemed that
God really answered the prayer of this limo
cent little girl and directed the house against
the drift, enabling every one Of the eight to
get off. Mrs. Ieas carried the little girl IN
her arms, and how she got off she doesn't
know. Every house around them, she said
was crushed, and the people either killed or
drowned.
Narrowing Story Of an Eyewitness
A correspondent telegraphs word-picture
Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-06-14
Toughs Invade the Stricken Town

never IcSGcu DcLOlS-
Toughs Invade the Stricken Town.
Probably fifty barrels of whisky were
washed ashore just below Johnstown, and
those men who had lost everyt hing in this
world sought solace in the fiery liquid. So it
was that as early as 6 o'clock last night the
shrieks and cries of women were Informing led
with drunkards' bowls and curses. What
was worse than anything, however, was the
fact that incoming trains rom Pittsburg
brought hundreds of toughs who joined with
the Slavs and Bohemians in rifing the bodies,
stealing furniture, insulting women and en-
deavOring to assume control Of any rescuing
parties that tried to seek the bodies under the
bushes and III the limbs of trees. There was
no one in authority, no one to
axe command of even a citizens posse
could it have been organized A lawless
mob seemed to control this narrow neck Of
land that was the only approach to the city
of Johnstown. I saw persons take watches
from dead mems jackets and brutally tear
finger-rings from the hands of women. The
ruffians also climbed into the overturned
houses and ransacked the rooms, taking
whatever thy thought valuable. No one
dared check them in this work. and con-
sequently the scene was not as riotous as it
would have been if the toughs had not had
sway. In fact, they became beastly drunk
after a time and were seen lying around in a
StupOr.
Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-06-14
A Thrilling Story.

James M. Walters, an attorney, spent the
night in Alma Hall, Johnstown, and relates
thrilling story. One of the most curious oc-
cllrrences of the whole disaster was how Mr..
Walters got to the hall. He has his office on
the second floor. His hCme is at 135 W alnut
street. He says he was IN the house with his
family when the waters struck it AL was
carried away Mr. Walters's family drifted
on a roof in another direction. He passed
down several streets and alleys, until he came
to the hall His dwelling struck that edifee,
and he was thrown into his own Office. About
200 persons had taken refuge in the hall, and
were ON the second, third and fourth stories.
Themen held meeting and drew UP some rules
which all were bound to respect. Mr. W alters
was chosen President. The Rev Mr.: .Beale was
put in charge of the first floor, A. M. Hart of
the second floor, Dr. Mathews of the fourth
floor No lights were allowed, and thewhole
night was spent in darkness The sick were
cared for. The weaker women and children
had the best accommodations that could be
had while the others had to wait. The scenes
were most agoniZng. Heatrending shrieks,
sobs and means pierced the gloomy darkness.
The crying of children mingled with the sup
pressed sobs of the women. Under the guar
dianship of the men all took more hope. No
one slept during all the long dark night.
Many knelt for hours in prayer, their
supplioa t4ons mingled with the roar of
the waters and the shrieks of the
dying in the surrounding houses. In all this
misery two women gave premature birth
children. DR.. Matthews is a hero. Several
of his ribs were crushed by falling timber
and his pains were most severe, yet through
all he attended the sick. When two women in
house across the street shouted for help, he
with two other brave young men climbed
across the drift and ministered to their wants.
No one died during the night, but women and
children surrendered their lives on the sue
ceeding day SIS result Of terror and fatigue.
Miss Rose Young, one of the young ladies in
the hall, was frightfully cut and bruised.
Mrs. Young had a leg broken. All of Mr..
Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-06-14
KEY.

hEF.
A-Coaemaugh Lake and Reservoir fsev-
eToL miles long and 10 H{LAS d6ore Johns
tounl, UhoSc brokeR dow flooded the raIley.
B-TotUa of South Perks e, 900 inhdbitants).
C-Minerot Point 500 iaAabitdnts) E
Pennsylvania Railroad Bridge, reported to
be st0ept array. D-To%0n Of CoT,e1naHgh
e, 500 inhdb5taptso 10 miles beIou0 the Take.
T. WoO4rnIe, - O00 in h0biEnnfSl H-Tnr0e
Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-06-14
A GOLDEN STREAM.
Seventeen Cities in One Day Subscribe
$564 200 for the Flood Victims.

These are the totals of the sums raised in
seventeen cities on the first day that subscrip-
tions were opened for the sufferers at Johns
Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-06-14
right nor left for safety for himself, but rode
on TO death for his townSmen.
An Estimate of the Number of Dead

An Estimate of the Number OF Dead.
Acknowledgement Hastings, whose bureau
at Johnstown Is endeayoring 10 make some
thing like complete record NJ the number
OF bodies found, sent 10 Governor Beaver
on Monday his official estimate that at
least 5000 deaths would be absolutely proven.
This does not include the large number OF
deaths that viii never be known of positively,
and General Hastings's own estimate Of the
total is 5000.
The loss Of property will be far up into the
millions. but 10 one thinks Of that. The
tale of the dead Is bad, SAYS dispatch but
the tale of the living is bad, too, and 1t must
have attention There ara rs many Of
them as of the dead and they ara
hard pressed for food, clothing and all
the necessaries of life. Their necessity
will continue, not for n day, nor for
a week, but for months They are
as destitute of all that goes To support
life except the bare breath in their
bodies as are the very dead whose half nude
bodies line the banks Of the ConeInaugh for
miles. Their ordinary means Of earning live
hhood are gone, with the rest OF the town, but
there is abundant work for every one. But
there must be money 10 pay the worknen.
Food for the immediate necessity OF the
people in Johnstown itself is coming in from
every side, and there Is enough 10 relieve
their wants.
Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-06-14

Narrowing Story Of an Eye-Witress.
A correspondent telegraphs wQrd-picture
Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-06-14

her face showed that I was mistaken She
was the belle of the tOwn-the daughter of
wealthy JOhnstown banker-and this single
petticoat and shawl were not only all that
was left her, but all that was saved from the
magnificent residence of her father. She had
escaped to the hills not an instant too soon.
Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-06-14
Heartrending Scenesin Cone
maugh's Valley Of Death.
Horrors Witnessed During a Walk
Along the Torrents Path.
Thrilling Stories and Pathetic
Incidents of the InundatiOn

"A SWath of Death Thirteen Miles
LonS-Dead Bodies and Wrecked
Houses Everywhere-The Survivors
Sleeping on the GrOund-Roughs
Invade the Stricken Town-An Es-
innate of the Loss of Life.
Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-05
LOCAL RRIEFS.

Born, in Dublin Gulch, Saturday, June 1,
to the wife OF Peter jackson, a daughter.
Semi-monthly family sociabie OF the
Butte Turn Verein will take place at Cap.
lice hall this evening. -
Pay day with the city yesterday occa-
stoned an appreciable rising in the spirits OF
the various employees of the corporation.
Certificate issued to DIR. Joseph Legault
by the territorial medical board, was filed
for record withthe county recorder, yester-
day.
Transfer OF a lot in Walkerville by G. F.
Curtis, ct ux., to N. j. Scott, consideration
$500, was filed for record yesterday.
Notice OF location OF the Black Fox and
Grant lodes, Hail Columbia district, was
filed for. record yesterday by Auguste
Lord.
The Montana Central that it
will sell round trip tickets at one fare at all
stations ON it's line July 3 and 4, good to
return July 5.
At 2 O'Clock yesterday morning the Their
mometer at Cushing's drug store registered
40, and Sin the afternoon SO. In the sun
it was IS.
Orton's orchestra will furnish music for
dancing at Columbia gardens this after
noon and evening. The dancing pavilion ia
under the management of Messrs. Couture
q Leford.
About the usual number OF vags and
DRINKS were disposed OF by Judge Newkirk,
yesterday. Several paid their fines but the
most OF them were sent up.
Married-At the Mountain View NJ. e.
parsonage, May az, 1883, by Rev. il.
McAllister, William Medling and Miss Mary
Holman, all OF Centerville, Montana.
Died June i, at 2 q. m, at mo. 2 jackson
street, Joseph T. Voss, infant son OF Mr..
and Mrs. O. g. Voss. Funeral will take
place to-day from the residence ct o'clock.
Mrs. Benjamin Borlace desires to return
thanks to all the many friends who SO
kindly and tenderly ministered to the care
and comforts of her late husband during
his long illness, and also to those who as
sisted ct the funeral,
Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-05
4 JURY SECURED.
The Trial of Harry Roberts for Murder to
Begin Tomorrow Morning.

The Trial Of Harry Roberts for Murder to
Begin Tomorrow Morning.
What appeared at one time an almost
hopeless task has been finally accomplished.
Reference is had to the difficulty OF securing
a jury in the case OF the territory vs.. Harry
Roberts, indicted for murder.
Friday morning the case was called and
the regular panel for the term was soon ex-
hansted and several ~venires were issued,
the last Friday evening just before court
adjourned. This was for forty names and
was made returnable yesterday morning at
9 o'clock. At noon a jury had teen secured
and the case was continued until to-mor-
row morning, Saturday afternoon being set
aside by the court to hear motions.
The jury was sworn, and after receiving
the usual admonitions from the court, was
allowed to separate. Following are the
''twelve men good and true" who will weigh
the evidence and upon whose verdict the
outcome depends: Fred A. Wilson, Peter
McCabe, C. R. Burkett, Thomas Stees, A.
w. Beuse, JIM. Albiez, G. G. Cram, Dennis
Simpson, H. j. Rothbumlen, Hugh Harris,
]. J. Hammer and J.. Cradleba ugh.
Messrs. De Witt, Stapleton and Robinson
will conduct the prosecution, and Messrs.
O'Donnell and Duffy the defense.
The plea of insanity will probably be ad-
vanced for grounds of acquittal. A stub.
born contest will certainly be made, aud
some fine points OF law will arise.
Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-05
ON THE ZIG WATERS.

Disasters ON Lake Michigan-An Ocean
wreck Reported and Denied.
PoRr HURON, Mich, May 31.-The
steamer e. 8. Pease Of East Saginaw is
reported as having ioundered in Saginaw
bay, yesterday, during q gale. The crew,
consisting OF Jones Sterling, captain;
Samuel Jameson. chief engineer; Martin
Donahoe, mate; William Gaines, second
mate, and eight OF ten men, were lost.
PoRr HURON, Mich, May 31.-The pro-
pellor, e. 8. Pease, is ashore north oil
Port Hope. and is trying to work herself
OF. The life boat is lost. The rudder
capsized in going to the Pease, but all got
ashore safely.
MoErREAL, May 31.-There are rumors
here that q terrible rteamship occurred IN
the gull, yesterday. The story goes hat
the Beaver line steamship. Lake On
tario. Captain Campbell, which left
here, Wednesday, for Liverpool, with
a full list Of cabin passengers.
including many OF the leading citizens OF
this civ, has gone down with all hands.
From the last reports OF the vessel received
here she should have been in the neighbor-
hood OF Anticosti, and as it is known .
terrible storm has been raging in the gnif
for the last few days, the worst is antici-
pated. The steamship Lake Ontario a
a vessel OF 1888 tons.
MONTREAL, May 31.-There il no truth
in the report that the steamer Lake On
tario has been wrecked. Enquiries at var
points along the coast OF Anticosti
elicit the same answer that nothing had
been heard from the steamer since she
passed out to sea Wednesday.