The whole train affair is still a mystery. At least the passengers have
not so far been found and located. The body of a nicely-dressed lady
was found yesterday which was so decomposed as to be unrecognizable.
The effects of Miss Chism were sent to Altoona.
There was a small riot at the labor camp one morning on account of a
lack of food and of utensils for cooking. Mr. Flinn, who is at the head
of the labor bureau, told the men it was impossible to get things down
from the railroad, but that this would be remedied as soon as possible.
He also said that they did not want men who expected to live on the
fat of the land, and that this was principally a work of charity, even
though the men were paid for their work.
[Illustration: MINING FOR THE DEAD.]
A few minutes after this, as Mr. Flinn was drinking some black coffee
and eating some hard crackers and cheese, two workmen came up to him
and commenced to complain because they did not have soup and meat.
This enraged Mr. Flinn and after telling them that he thought he was
used to as good as they were, he ordered the guards to take the men out
of town and not permit them to come back again. This seemed to have the
desired effect and there was no more trouble.
It had been known for several days that the Rev. J. A. Ranney and the
parents of Mrs. Charles Harly, of Delhi, Ind., were on one of the
ill-fated trains overtaken by the flood in Conemaugh Valley, and no
tidings could be received from them.
[Illustration: THE ARREST OF THE HUNS FOR ROBBING THE DEAD.]
Word comes that Mr. Ranney has arrived home. He telegraphs: “Mrs.
Ranney and I were on the train at Conemaugh when the flood came. The
occupants of our car rushed for the door, where Mrs. Ranney and I
became separated. She was one of the first to jump, and I saw her run
and disappear behind the houses in sight. Before I could get out the
deluge was too high, and with a number I remained in the car. Our car
was lifted up and dashed against a car loaded with stone, and was badly
wrecked, but most of the occupants were saved. As far as I know all who
jumped from the car lost their lives. The rest of the train was swept
away. I searched for days for Mrs. Ranney and could find no trace of
her. I think she perished. The mind cannot conceive the awful sight
presented when we first saw the danger. The approaching wall of water
looked like Niagara, and huge engines were caught up and whirled away
as if they were mere wheelbarrows.”
[Illustration: SEEKING RELIEF AT HEADQUARTERS.]
Here is another telegram: “Mrs. Susan Stonebraker with her three
children, arrived at Camden Station, Baltimore, Md., from Johnstown
this afternoon, and was met by her brothers.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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