The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1889-08-31
AFFAIRS IN IoHMsTowN.
Stories Of Dissatisfaction and Suffering
Denied-No One in Want.

Stories Of Dissatisfaction and Suffering
Denied-No One in Want.
James Mcmillan, one of the off
GERS of the Cambria Iron Company
and chairman of the Johnstown To-
cal finance committee has been in
terviewed by newspaper man and
he said:
"The people of Johnstown are find
ing their way back to the path of
prosperity as rapidly as possible and
feel no hesitancy IN stating that
our condition at the present time is
as favorable as can be expected when
the awful nature of our visitation
is taken into consideration.
81 don't believe that anywhere in
the world could be found another set
of people who could display so much
vim and courage. Never in a chris
TANNED country did such a catas-
trophe occur, and yet, while suffering
almost inconceivable inconvenience,
people who lost their all did not
become discouraged, but brayely
went to work to help one another.
BUILDING GOING ON RAPIDLY.
Lots of people are erecting new
houses on the sites swept bare by the
awful rush of water and business is
going along prosperously and meth
odically. There is no further need
of clothing, but two of the commits
sary stores are still open and its de-
mands of the needy are freely, sup
piled. The public square has been
donated by the authorities for the
erection of buildings and $500, 900
has already been distributed in cash.
Ofcourse, there is some complaint
about the distribution of the relief
fund, but it would simply be impos-
sible to please everybody. A com
mittee is now actively engaged in
endeavoring to determine upon
better system of distribution of the
balance of the fund and / honestly
believe that everything is being done
in the best possible manner and that
Governor Beaver, who is being harsh
ly criticised, is doing as well as
man possibly can do.
GENERAL HASTINGS CoMPLIMENTED
"rhe work done by General Hast
ings was Of the phenomenal order
and too much praise cannot be
awarded him. The Red Cross So.
ciety, Ladies' Aid Society, Odd Eel
lows, Knights of Pythias, Knights
of the Golden Eagle and all other
societies who were represented in the
district did nobly in providing for
sufferers and have distributed money
most generously.
"The contractor and workmen
have more work than they can at
tend to and stories about their un.
fair treatment are absolutely false.
When contracts for work were
awarded Immediately after the flood,
the local people were in no condi-
tien to accept work. Everything was
in confusion, mechanics had lost
their tools and materials and out
siders had to be called upon if pro-
gress was to be made Besides. the |
natives were nearly all Frustrated by
their losses and their minds would
not permit them to engage in active
business.
THE FRAME HOUSES COMFORTABLE.
Three hundred frame houses were
built by Hughes d Co, of Bellefonte,
at cost of $3.50 EACH AS fast as
they were completed they were ac-
cepted by the commissary depart
ment, furnished, and turned over to
the people on whose ground they |
were built, or to people who had no
homes at all. 1t is not true that
rent is charged for them. 1t was
distinctly understood that they were
to be occupied free of cost, and |, as
a citizen of YOUNGSTOWN, am emphati-
cally opposed to the idea of charg-
ingTent for them.
The houses now occupied by
many people are, of course, not to
be compared to their former houses
and are not intended to be perman-
ent, but they will answer for winter
and are as comfortable as houses of
their size can possibly be made.
Several brick houses are being erect
ed, but the real building is not ex-
pected to commence until next
summer, when we expect wonderful
rebuilding boom.
BUSINESS BEING RESUMED
"The Cambria Iron Company is
rapidly getting back to it's former
condition and is now nearly in full
operation. Guise, Foster & Quinn,
dry goods, and Guise q Fry, clothing
dealers, have put up large stores and
are doing business right along.
Several other small merchants have
resumed in temporary stores and
seem prosperous.
"The general population has been
treated with generosity that has
never been equal in the history of
the world, and if there is any suffer
ing now l have not been able to
learn of it. Everyone has enough to
eat and sufficient clothing to keep
them warm, and believe the stories
about the hardships suffered by
some of our people to be entirely
without foundation.
"About 500 men are still employ
ed in cleaning up the valley, but
the work is necessarily slow. Bodies
are still being recovered every day
and it will be some time before the
district is thoroughly cleaned. l