The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-06-13

CHASTITY finds 1t appears that there will be as
much mortality as the highest estimates have
yet made it. The work of clearing away the
wreck piled up against the Johnstown bridge
goes on slowly, and hundreds of bodies have
been found. Sickening sights are presented at
the moFgues, and scenes which would appall
the stoutest are constantly occurring. Many
of the bodies found have been identified, but
there is q frightfully long list of unknown"
and the hillsides of the Conemaugh are dotted ,.
with their graves, immediate interment being
necessary on account of the rapid decomposi-
ton. The work in the valley has been sys-
tematized but the vast army of workmeu make
but little progress upon the mountains of debris
which contain the remains of countless victims.
1t now seems that without doubt fire must be
used to remove the great masses Of material,
no matter how repugnant the idea may be to
people who have friends who are missing for
the hot weather and the length of time most
of the bodies have been in the water make it
almost certain that an epidemic will break out,
owing to the stencil from the purifying bodies.
a DICTATOR APPOINTED.
Col. James B. Scott has been chosen dictator
of the entire valley, and his word is absolute
law on everything. He is said to be the very
man for the position, and has gone about the
work with clearheadedness which will soon
become apparent. Col. Scott recommends that
all drafts for money be sent VIM. r. Thompson,
Treasurer of the Finance Committee, at Pitts
burg, instead of to himself as this will prevent
delay. Col. Scott also thinks pestilence is
threatened and has been using great quantities
OF disinfectants, trying in every way known
to science to prevent such catastrophe. The
morgues for the dead are becoming intolerable
places even for experienced undertakes to
work in, and people who have nothing but
curiosity to prompt them to visit these places
of the dead keep away, as the stencil is too
great even for their morbid curiosity.
WOUNDS OF THE DEAD.
1t is the impression of the medical corps and
military Surgeons who arrived here early in
the week that hundreds maybe thousands of
men, women and children were insensible to
all horror on that awful afternoon, a week ago.
before the waters of the valley closed over them
Their opinion is based on the fact that hun
dreds and hundreds of the bodies already
brought to light are terribly wounded some
where, generally on the head. In many in
stances the wounds are sufficient in themselves
to have caused death.
The crashing of the houses together in the
first mad rush of the food with force greater
than the collision of railroad trains making fast
time, and the hurting of timbers, poles, towers
powders through the air is believed to have
caused a legion of deaths in an instant before
the lost knew what was coming. Even the sur.
vivors bear testimony to this.
ESTIMATES OF LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY.
Nothing definite can yet be learned as to the
loss of life, and as bodies are being constantly
found, in some instances over 300 in one day,
it Is hard to even approximate the number of
victims. But the most conservative place the
loss between 5000 and 12,000 while many
others think this number will be exceeded. 1t
will be weeks, however, before anything def
mite can be given, for without doubt hundreds
of bodies have gone down the Conemaugh into
the Ohio and from thence into the Mississippi
md info E,,Ic NF
The best estimates place the loss of property
in Johnstown at $15,000,000, while the aggre-
gate loss in the valley, including Johnstown, is
put at $25,000,000. Thousands of heretofore
prosperous people have had everything they
possessed in the world washed away except the
land on which their houses stood. and even that
real estate has been washed or piled up with
debris to such an extent that it will cost great
deal of money to fix it so that building can
again be placed on il.
NOT A TEMPERANCE CITY.
Pittsburg has become beer drinking city.
Thousands of people who never INDUCED in the
favorite beverage of the Germans have taken
to- drinking beer, letting the water which is
furnished by the waterworks go by default.
They think very properly that while as big
stream as the Conemaugh is filled with putrid
bodies, the water must necessarily be contain
mated and that beer is the only means whereby
their thirst can be quenched, as the city has
very few wells or csterns. In consequence,
the beer breweries and saloons of the Smoky
City have been doing a thriving business for
the past week, and more beer has been con-
sumed during that period than during any
month in the previous history of the city.
GENEROUS RESPONSES BY THE PEOPLE.
All over the country Relief Committees have
been formed, and millions of dollars and train
loads of provisions and clothing have been
pouring into the stricken valley, so that suffer-
ing has been alleviated and the people made
comparatively comfortable. These donations
of money and other substantial things come
from all parts of this country, while numerous
drafts have been sent from England Ireland
and Scotland. Other European cities will be
heard from shortly, as steps have been taken TO
collect money in nearly every country in
Europe. As we go to press the suffering have
been fed, and those who were without clothing
have been supplied.
AN EPIDEMIC LIKELY To FOLLOW.
1t is quite likely that disease of an infectious
nature will follow the great overflow not only
because of the purifying bodies, but also on
account of the tearing up of the soil and the
enormous amount of debris and deeaying vege-
table matter which is piled all along the valley.
The authorities, however, are using all the
means known to science to prevent such a ca
wherever needed and thus far with the most
favorable results, although in some places
fevers have broken out but they are not of
very dangerous character Miss Clara Barton
is in the valley with number of physicians
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