Johnstown weekly Democrat. (Johnstown, Cambria County, Pa.) 1889-1916, 1890-05-02

and lives at East Conemaugh; Lizzie is
the wife of Cyrus Strayer, of Lower Yoder
townships John lives in Blackhawk
county, Iowa. Jacob and Sadie lived at
home, but since coming east Jacob has
been fireman on the Pennsylvania Rail-
road, and Sadie has been staying with her
sister, Mrs. Strayer.
Interment will likely be made in Head
rick Graveyard, as he has several chill
dren buried there, but no time will be
fixed for the funeral until his sons from
distance are heard from.
COMMITTEES OF FIFTEEN.
The Condition of Our Rivers Considered
Engineer SchenS's Surveys and Maps Ex-
hibited by the Local Flood Finance Com
mfttee.
The Board of Trade Committee of Fif-
teen met on Tuesday afternoon persuant
to the call of Herman Baumer, ESQ.,,
Chairman.
The following members of the Commit
tee were present: Herman Banner, DR..
B. l.. Ycagley, G., W. Moses, John Han
nan, James McMillen, p. S. Fisher, L. d.
Woodruff, Geo. T. Swank, Thomas E.
Howe, Ii. w. Storey. Cyrus Elder, ESQ.,,
was also present, and with James McMil-
len and Geo. T. Swank represented the
Local Flood Relief Finance Committee,
Chairman Banner called the Committee
to order and stated the object of the meet
ing was to examine the drawings of the
rivers prepared by Engineer Schenk,
and to consider the plans and changes
he suggests should be made in their
course, in order to protect this valley from
future floods, and to take such action
in conjunction with the Finance Commit
tee, as will secure their desirable aid.
Mr.. Elder explained that the Financ
Committee had been authorized by citi-
zens' meeting to engage competent en-
gineer who should make surveys of the
rivers and collect all the data necessary
to enable him to give scientific opinion
of their condition, and the changes which
are absolutely eCessary to make, in order
to protect the lives and property of our
citizens. After careful inquiry Engineer
Carl Schenk was engaged for this work.
He was highly recommended by Gen.
Merritt as an expert in river work, and
one upon whose judgment all could rely
with absolute confidence. After his en-
gagement the engineer went to work with
great energy and has collected mass of
facts which alone is evidence OF his
thorough and careful work. Every line
ne has drawn and every plan he has pro-
posed is supported by an array of figures
and calculations which cannot be success
fully contradicted. He took nothing for
granted, but based his judgment on act
ual surveys and the observation of facts.
He has prepared elaborate maps of the
river courses and has indicated just what
changes must be made in them to insure
the safety of this community. If the
changes are not made the people have
nothing to expect in the future but a
repetition Of their past experiences with
flooded rivers.
The maps were then exhibited and
were carefully examined by the commit
tee,
Mr.. Storey offered the following reso-
ution, which was unanimously adopted;
Reso,red, That the draft and specifications
for the improvement OF the Stonycreek and Con-
emaugh Rivers, as prepared by Engineer Carl
Schenk, be reported favorably to the Board of
Trade for further consideration and action.
Upon motion the members of the com.
mittee united in a call for special meet
ing of the Board of Trade, on Wednes-
day evening, April 30, 1890, at 1880 P. NJ,
to consider the report of the committee
on the project to change the course of the
rivers and widen their banks.
Upon motion an invitation to attend
the special meeting Of the Board was ex-
tended to His Honor, Mayor Rose, and to
the members of the Flood FINANCE Com.
mittee.
The committee desire a full attendance
of members at the special meeting, as all
the maps and plans of the proposed
changes will be exhibited for eXamina-
tion. No more importent subject could
engage the attention of the citizens Of
Johnstown.