US_Ch4_webquest-1889_flood

=**Johnstown 1889 Flood**= __Objective__: To answer how citizens and private charities rebuilt the city of Johnstown and how Johnstown showed its self-reliance.

Johnstown, PA was a typical steel town with atypical rainfall in 1889. Faulty design of the South Fork dam 14 miles away caused it to collapse and unleash 20 million tons of water into the valley leading to the community. Over 2,200 people were killed and there was $17 million in damage. The flood destroyed the railroad and 1,600 homes as well as the city of Johnstown. Approximately 27,000 people needed care, shelter, and food. The dam burst after 3:00 on Friday May 31, 1889 and by noon the next day the waters receded and citizens had started to help their neighbors. Flood historian David McCullough said "People on the hillsides whose houses had escaped harm and farmers from miles out in the country began coming into town bringing food, water, and clothing. At the corner of Adams and Main, milk was passed out in big rinfuls. Unclaimed children were looked after. A rope bridge had been strung across the Little Conemaugh River (which meets with the Stonycreek where the Point Stadium is today) near the depot..."

All surviving able-bodied men reported to the Adams Street schoolhouse and voted to elect a "dictator" to give instructions. Arthur Moxham was chosen to be in charge. Despite fatigue, they went into action. In addition, 75 men were appointed as "deputies" with tin stars cut from tomato cans to secure all banks and recover and account for all cash lying around. Virtually everyone knew a flood victim, yet work continued. Moxham and the deputies commandeered (took for the good of the effort) every remaining structure and put up tents from blankets and bedspreads. The storm brought an unusual cold (in May), which required controlled fires for heating, cooking, and boiling water. Survivors couldn't process the dead fast enough and had to transport decomposing bodies to Prospect Hill for shallow graves.


 * 4. Why would Arthur Moxham be important for relief of the flood?**

Flooding had cut the Pennsylvania Railroad. Therefore, rescuers had to unload boxcars of food, blankets, clothes, and medicine by hand and move them up the river on their backs. Onlookers from Pittsburgh saw debris had filled the water flow into the Allegheny River. The Pittsburgh supply train had restored track and a train arrived Sunday June 2, 1889. Johnstown citizens and fellow Pennsylvanians 60 miles west unloaded the train. Furthermore, volunteers where coming steadily.

Pennsylvania's Adjutant General Daniel Hartman Hastings was the first semblance of government on the scene. He spoke with Moxham and other committeemen. The Johnstown citizens thought it was best for residents and volunteers to handle their own problems rather than help from the National Guard since it would keep their minds off of the disaster. The committeemen did accept help of the Guard to help keep order. There would be an outpouring of relief in physical goods as well as labor. Clara Barton came with the Red Cross. Captain Bill Jones, Carnegie's supervisor at the Edgar Thompson Steel Works, brought 300 steelmen from Pittsburgh to help. He and his crew worked in Johnstown for 4 straight days without rest, which led to Jones going back to Pittsburgh due to exhaustion.

By June 6 and 7, food and other supplies were being unloaded by the hour with 20,000 lbs. of ham from Cincinnati, one New York butcher sent 150 lbs. of bologna, and even PA inmates bagged 1,000 loaves of bread. Fears of food shortages disappeared. Money was sent as well: Pittsburgh raised $500,000; Philadelphia $600,000; NYC $160,000; Boston $150,000. Boxer Jake Kilrain fought an exhibition match to raise money. The New York Metropolitan Opera produced a relief performance of Othello. Buffalo Bill Cody was in Paris at the time but still donated earnings from a special show. John Philip Sousa did a special relief concert in D.C. President Harrison even donated money of his own. Furthermore, 14 foreign nations contributed. In all, $3.6 million would be donated. The important point is that private philanthropy and local citizens had dealt with relief efforts without intrusion of even state government let alone the federal government. Guardsman came to help protect life and property (part of the Constitution). The Red Cross would gain its reputation from Johnstown setting up hospitals and helping in the relief effort.


 * 5. How did citizens and private charities in Johnstown, PA show self-reliance and provide a model example for the future in terms of disaster relief?**

A similar situation but less disastrous flood took place in Dayton, Ohio in 1913. Click here to view other examples.