Evening star., 1936-03-18
.Johnstown
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few available boats and spent the
night taking refugees from buildings.
The current was so swift that maneu-
vering of boats was impossible in
some sections and the would-be res
cuers themselves often were in danger
Of their lives.
A group of SO State troopers came
into the city early today and more
were reported on the way. A special
train carrying National Guardsmen
was en- route from Pittsburgh and an
other with telephone company work.
ers and others was reported trying to
get through the waters which sur
rounded Johnstown.
Klink said the only deaths he knew
about were those of Russell Belisda,
swept from bridge, and Dannay
Jallacher, found dead near an over
turned canoe. A woman and a boy
were reported lost when a boat cap
sized during an attempted rescue and
woman was reported drowned at
nearby Hooversville.
The more fortunate dwellers on the
highlands could look down and see
muddy, debris-filled waters swirling
in fury around every one of the city's
big buildings.
Two Houses Hit Bridge.
Two houses perched crazily on the
Hayes Bridge, where they had been
swept from above. Floors Of two other
main-traveled bridges were gone.
State troopers said the Conemaugh
railroad bridge was weakening and
might soon be useless for trains.
Automobiles were strewn about the
area, most of them with their tops
just visible. Street cars were sub
merged.
Several houses in one section were
loose from their foundations.
AS dawn arrived, from most of the
downtown structures the marooned
and hungry citizens put out their
heads to watch rescuers going about
and shouting advice to them.
The thermometer was below freeZ-
ing. 1t was impossible to light fur
naces in any flooded section.
Klink and other officers rounded up
about 100 children and found refuge
In Lee Hospital. There was no heat
in the building, but the children were
wrapped in blankets.
Misery and Suffering.
Paul Ashcom, q newspaper man, who
surveyed the city on foot, described the
effect of the flood which suddenly
poured over a busy metropolis yester-
day afternoon:
There Is misery and suffering all
around, for we have no lights, heat OF
water service. The freezing weather
is going to make it hard on the people
but If the rise Is halted We feel the
worst is over.
"The Wilmore Dam up in the noun
tains Is safe, the same is true of the
big Quemahoning Dam. Reports they
broke during the food were exag-
gerated.
There are still many people down
in the city, where the buildings are
flooded. How many, no one knows yet.
The police, firemen and others have
been running boats all night and many
have been brought. The water is
pretty fast and has hampered the work
a great deal.
Most Of those rescued have found
refuge in houses and clubs on the
higher ground. We have one road
open out of here, Route 56 over to
Windber.
There are many who are sleeping
all night in their automobiles. unable
to get home.
There's no doubt it is the worst
since 1889, and we are all hoping ii
doesn't get too cold. There may be
some real misery if that happens"
Family Swept Away.
At the mining town of Rossiter, in
adjoining Indiana County, bursting
dam swept away Russell Saye. 35-
year-old miner, his wife and two chill
dren.
Throughout the flooded area there
were reports the Wilmore Dam, a small
reservoir back in the hills from Johns
town, had burst and the big Quema-
honing Dam was weakening, but tele-
phone operators in Johnstown said
both structures were safe.
Miss Luella Miller, one OF the op-
orators marooned at her post over
night as flood waters swirled below.
said:
THAT can't be true. The water
has quit rising"
Miss Miller also told of futile efforts
to get motor boats into some sections.
Thusands Of residents were safe on the
surrounding hills, but hundreds Of
others still waited for a chance to
reach safety.
Thrilling Rescues Reported.
Thrilling rescues by the hundred
were reported throughout the many
miles of flooded area.
Sixty-flve residents Of the village Of
Cokesville, across the rampaging
Conemaugh from Blairsville in Indiana
County, were brought over tottering
bridge, but Is remained behind.
Firemen and National Guardsmen
did not dare complete the rescue be-
na.,,o ft,ax, foorod ft,a trtdoo uor no
ing and asked residents of towns on
the other side of the Conemaugh to
60 to the aid Of the stranded ones.
The State police, with ropes. saved
fi4feA rnAn canrft In n tres In thA