The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-07-05
Johnst0Wn RediYiVuS.


not to be crushed by even extraordi-
nary disasters, Is clearly shown in
the history of Johnstown. Pa. A
year ago, on the last day of May,
1889. Jamestown was practically
swept out of existence by the flood
which tore down the dam Of the old
South Fork reservoir and carried
death and desolation through the
Conemaugh Valley. AS in the case
of f1re-swept Chicago, the wave of
destruction cleared site for the new
and better city and made room for
improvements of almost every sort.
The awful sacrifice of life by which
the new Johnstown was made posi-
BILE is almost forgotten in the present
prosperity of the place. except, in.
deed those who were bereaved by
the flood.
A little over year ago Youngstown
was a struggling city of unsightly
structures, whose streets zigzagged
in every direction and in which arch
itectural beauty was everywhere con-
spicu0us by its absence. To day it is
city in which imposing and pretty
buildings are the rule, and there is a
Uniformity in the course and angles
of its streets that could not have been
brought about except by the destruc-
ton of the old town.
The city is larger, too. for it now
includes within its limits what used
to be the boroughs Of Conemaugh.
Woodvale, JOhnstown, Moxham,
Prospect, MillvilIe and Cambria. OF
these sections of the new city. Mox-
ham has been created since the flood,
1t had name and perhaps score OF
houses last year. Now it has pop.
ulation of oyer thousand.
From the hill sides the valley
shows red and yellow with new
brick and new lumber. The bank
statements show abundance of mon
ey. Real estate is held land sold)
higher than before the flood. The
last vestige of the great RAFT of wreck
above the bridge is cleared away.
Johnstown has recovered from its
great blow and is now more prosper.
GUS than ever. The output of the
new Cambria Iron Works for the last
six months has been greater than
that Of the same period last year. and
the employment of labor has been
proportionate. The Gautier Steel
Works, operated by the same COM
pany, have been rebuilt and will be
enlarged. The contract is let for an
additional building. to be called the
New Gautier. 1000 by 400 feet, and
an addition Is being built 10 the COM
pany's store at cost of S35. 900. Pay
day has been as constant as it was be-
fore the food. The rebuilding of the
town has gone on rapidly. Over
100000 have been spent in the
building Of houses and bridges, and
there are now in course of erection
buildings costing upward of Sal. 900.
Long credit Is seldom asked. Peo-
pie who are building are mostly pay.
ing cash. Many of the men who
were In business before the flood
have recovered from their losses and
are again prospecting. The dwellings
that have taken the places of the
ones swept away are better in every
way.
The level of what Is known as the
fiat Is to be raised, beginning with a
lift of 10 feet at the point where the
streams come together above the IA
tai stone bridge. and running out to
leyel at Market street, five blocks
up. The filling is to be taken from
the bed of the river, thus giving a
double benefit of additional safety.
AS soon as the grading is completed
new and substantial buildings will
cover this fiat.
Altogether, Johnstown is better
city than it was. Instead of being
appalled, and discouraged by tho
wholesale destruction of their homes
and property. its inhabitants seem to
have acquired fresh energy from dis
aster. and the anniversary of the IA
tai 31st of May. 1889, found them
more hopeful and in better condition
every way than they were year
ago. That they did not fall into the
Iethargy of despair is largely due to
the promptness with which the peo-
pie of other cities responded to the
appeals for aid sent out In their be-
half, and the unparalleled generosity
sohwn to them in their hour of need
has not and never will be forgotten.