The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-06-05

ing Club said yesterday that the CLUB had
not filed an indemnity bond, as claImel by
citizen of Ebensburg, and that no COM
plants had ever been made about the safety
] of the dam by any Johnstown citizens. He
Is undoubtedly correct as to the bond, but
Is misleading as TO the second part of his
statement. There is not shadow of doubt
/ that the citizens of Cambria county
frequently complained, and that at the
| time the dam was constructed a very
vigorous effort was made to put a stop TO
the work. 1t is true that the leader in this
| movement was not citizen of Johnstown,
but he was and is a large NINE owner in
| Cambria county. His mine adioins the
reservoir property. He related TO me on
| Saturday the story of his labors in an effort
to protect tie lives and property of the
people of that valley. He was frequently
on the spot and his own engineer inspected
| the work
sHALE AND CLAY.
He says the embankment was principally
OF shale and clay, and that straw was used
to stop the leaking of the water. While
the work was going on he called on the
sheriff of Cambria county and told him it
| was his duty tc apply to the court for an
| injunction. The sheriff promised to give
| the matter his attention. But in
stead of going before the courts
he went to the Cambria company
| for consultation. An employe was
sent up to make an inspection, and his re-
port was favorable to the reservoir work.
The sheriff went no further, but the gentle
man referred to, said that he had not failed
to make public his protest at the time and
to renew it frequently. This recommenda-
tlonfor an injunction and protest, was spoken
| OF by the citizens of Altoona as a hack
neyed subject. Confirmation was certainly
had at South Fork, Conemaugh, Millvale
| and Johnstown on that fatal Friday.
THE CLASSIC CRY OF WOLF.
The rumor of an existing break was
prevalent at these places early in the day,
but the citizens remarked that the rumor
was q familiar incident of tho annual
freshets. 1t was the old classic story of
"Wolfp Wolfp They gave up the first
floor to the waters and retired upstairs
until the river should recede, as they had
done often before, scouting the oft-told
story Of the breaking of the reservoir. The
reader will note the remarkable con-
fiict between that shale and
clay story Of the mine-owner,
referred to above, ana the published state
ment Of Gen. Morehead, who had charge of
the construction, that the masonry was of
solid granite and limestone, and was be-
lieved to be as enduring as the pyramids of
Egypt. The awful disaster would seem to
confirm the allegation of the use Of unfit
materials In construction.
| CONDUCTORS UNDER A CLOUD.
The number of passengers on the day
| express known to have been lost is six.
Beside these there are two ladies missing
and unacoounted for, but who may be vet
alive. A conductor who was at Conemaugh
on that fateful day claims to have run
through the cars and told the passengers to
run to the mountains. The passeng-
| ers who survive are anxious
to make the acquaintance Of
that conductor. They certainly
neither saw him nor heard him on Friday.
His intention may have been good. but the
| good deed was omitted. When the passen-
gers reached the mountain side they found
there two conductors in beautiful white
caps. Their manner was calm and their
clothing unspotted. l asked one Of them
why he did not notify the passengers of the
breaking of tho dam. He replied in some
confusion that he had no time.
A REPORT SENT IN.
His companion made report to his supe-
rior, which report was carried over the
mountain by a passenger that night,
but there was nothing in it to indicate that
| the passengers were any of his concern
| He reported the loss of two trains. In
striking contrast to the neglect of duty of
these conductors, itsis pleasant to note the
manly conduct of others. Among them
! first mention should be made of the locomo-
tive engineers and firemen, whose bravery
and devotion were conspicuous. They
never neglected to give such warning as
| they could in the face of the danger.
and in some ses Of certain DEATH A brake.
man, riding dead-head, whose name can
not be recalled. rendered splendid service in
rescuing women and children at the risk of
his own life j. s. Aber, Pullman con-
ductor, was efficient and cool-headed. w.
| H. Woodyer, the cook Of the car Aragon,
and John p. Waugh, porter of the parlor
car, Chloris, stood manfully by g. f. Grif-
fifths Of the Norwich line, in the rescue Of
passengers. 1t was Woodyer who stood
upon top Of the car Aragon with ak In
hand ready to cut the roof to prevent the
smothering of those within. We think bet
ter of our race with such examples before
US. WILLIAM HENRY SMITH.