Female. Lace shoes. Gray dress. Plaid underskirt. Age sixteen to eighteen. Male. No valuables. Marden A. Dahlstedt wrote the young adult novel, Michael Stephan Oates wrote the historical fiction novel. Claimed by Sol. Small tooth-pick. Female. Open-faced silver watch. Sent to Prospect. Gray woolen shirt. Weight 130. The force of the flood swept several locomotives weighing 170,000 pounds as far as 4,800 feet, $3,742,818.78 was collected for the Johnstown relief effort from within the U.S. and 18 foreign countries, The American Red Cross, led by Clara Barton and organized in 1881, arrived in Johnstown on June 5, 1889 it was the first major peacetime disaster relief effort for the, Johnstown has suffered additional significant floods in its history, including in. Cambria borough, Broad street One pocket-book $1.95 in silver. Small ball drop earrings. Height 5 feet 6 inches. Height about 3 feet 6 inches. Female. Female. White and black striped skirt. Height 4 feet 6 inches. Weight 185. White dress with spots. Sandy hair Height 5 ft 5 in. Johnstown, PA had always been prone to flooding, but nothing could compare to the tumult that unfolded after a nearby decrepit dam gave out. Height 3 feet 8 inches. Boy. Pocket-knife. Height 3 feet 6 inches White. Female. Medium height. Weight 150. White handled knife Mixed woolen knee pants. Pair of overalls. Button shoes. Gray cotton socks. Button shoes. Light dress. Height 5 feet 10 inches. Short nose. Black cashmere dress. 1911 was the year the final body was found. Height 3 feet 8 inches. With a population of 30,000, it was a growing industrial community known for the quality of its steel.[7]. Two rings on right hand. Thin silver ring on third finger of left hand. Female. Blue waist, brass buttons. Fair complexion Long black hair. By dawn, the city was under water that reached as high as 8 feet (2.4m). High top button shoes. Height 3 feet. Black set pin. Pair blood stone cuff-buttons. Full face. Auburn hair. Age about six. Inside of locket a star with S. H, words trademark alone a star. Zimmerman. Light brown hair. $36.85 in cash. Hazel eyes. 424 Bedford street. Barefooted. Scapular. Age twenty-five or thirty. Gingham apron. Auburn hair. Male child. Female. Plyers. Received valuables. Stucke, of Sewickley. Barred dress. Female. Of firm of George G. Marshall & Co. Silver watch (open face), chain Pocket knife. Laced shoes. Markers on a corner of City Hall at 401 Main Street show the height of the crests of the 1889, 1936, and 1977 floods. Pen and pencil $13 in bills 87 cts. Black gray mixed pants. Height about 18 inches. 2-foot rule in pocket. 11 cents in pocket-book. History Of The Great Flood In Johnstown PA, Ogilvie, 1889, Sales agent's copy. Valuables given to him. Height 5 feet 4 inches. Striped shirt. Bracelets, seven strands and locket with initials, "E. M. Age five years. "D.E. Age about twenty-five. Aged. Boy. Scar on side of face. Brown eyes. First, the wealthy club owners had designed the club's financial structure to keep their personal assets separated from it and, secondly, it was difficult for any suit to prove that any particular owner had behaved negligently. Male. One small ear-drop. Natural dent above right eye half an inch deep, like as if broken. Girl Age about eight years old. Pocket-knife. Age forty. Male. Had valuables. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. Blue calico shirtwaist with light chain stripe. Set band ring on third finger of left hand. Female. A medal monogram, "J. H. G.". White skirt, Woolen underwear. Small purse. Overall, I'd rather have a flood hit a brewery and be filled with barrels than barbed wire. Supposed to be gray flannel shirt. Body in advanced stage of decomposition. Door key. Handkerchief in coffin. Bunch of keys. Age ten years. Unmarried. White shirt. Age about two years. Black and gray barred underskirt. Lead-pencil. The valley had large amounts of runoff from rain and snowfall. Heavy cotton socks. Gum boots and black stockings Had an "Agnus Dei" in her pocket. Keys. Brown hair. Female. Gray eyes. Black wool hose. No clothing whatever. Plaid wool dress trimmed with wool crotchet lace. Light hair. Black hair. Weight 130. Frank Shomo, the last known survivor of the 1889 flood, died March 20, 1997, at the age of 108. Female. Blue black ribbed stockings. Weight 150. No valuables. Light muslin dress. Height 2 feet 6 inches. Black and blue plaid dress. Wore a "switch." Age three months. Buttoned shoes. Package of Japanese headache cure. Black ribbed stockings. Coat with belt. Valuables, A male. 329 Railroad street, Johnstown, Pa. Black stocking with red tip. Height 4 feet. Hulbert house, Johnstown, Pa. Two plain gold rings, one marked "Sister" inside. Male. Common gingham apron. Boy. Weight 140. Fair complexion. Black silk stockings. One bunch of keys. Donations for the relief effort came from all over the U.S. and overseas. Girl. Papers, keys, etc. Here is the story of one of the worst disasters in American history, a tragedy in 1889 which claimed more than 2,200 lives, and wiped out 99 entire families. Dark brown hair. Brown hair. Black hair. Female. Sex unknown. Supposed to be Ernest Mayhew. Black hair. Front teeth good. Short full face. Workers lowered the dam, which had been 72 feet high, by 3 feet. One plain ring set out. Age about six. Male. Sacred heart. Light hair. Age twelve years. Barred underclothes. His family survived the flood. Male. 8. Female. Pocket-knife. $170 in paper and $75 in gold. Male. Age twenty-four. Age twenty to twenty-five Brown hair. Small finger on third finger of left hand. Son of J. L. Smith, marble cutter. Female. Female. Eleven years old. Female Age forty-five. Brown coat. [3] This fatal lowering of the dam greatly reduced the capacity of the main spillway and virtually eliminated the action of an emergency spillway on the western abutment. Gold charm. Blue check shirt. "[23], Nonetheless, individual members of the South Fork Club, millionaires in their day, contributed to the recovery in Johnstown. Age thirty-one. Key ring with keys 4 foot pocket-rule and one Harmonie badge. P.R.R. Worked with H. Martin, Wire Mills. The Youghiogheny River cuts through Laurel Ridge in Ohiopyle. Dark dress Black stockings. Black coat and vest with small bar cloth covered buttons. Gray woolen drawers. Wine color lining to collar and black silk facing. Bunch of keys with checks and name. Light hair. Height 5 feet 10 inches. Black hair. Sister of Capt. Female. Set and plain ring on right finger. Pocket-book containing $151.00. Light complexion. . According to nps.gov, "of the 2,209 people that died 900 bodies were never found." . Age forty Black pants. Age thirty. Woolen skirt. Blue calico dress, white flowers. Small earrings. Metal buttons. Electric wire keys Plug of tobacco. F. Miller, 4422 Leipert St, Frankford, Philadelphia, Pa., June 10th. in coin. Age thirty-five. Small, round, black ball. Lake Mead flooded a vast area of the desert when the Hoover Dam was built. Red flannel drawers. Found and coffined at Tunnellton, Pa. Age about six years High buttoned shoes with heel. Female. Derby hat and paint brush found with body. Button shoes. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Dam-Breach hydrology of the Johnstown flood of 1889challenging the findings of the 1891 investigation report", Sid Perkins, "Johnstown Flood matched volume of Mississippi River", "Johnstown Flood National Memorial (U.S. National Park Service)", "The South Fork Fishing & Hunting Club and the South Fork Dam", Johnstown Flood Museum, "Johnstown Flood Museum: Pennsylvania Railroad Interview Transcripts". Chain with small bucket charm. Plain ear-rings. Received the above valuables: Charles Brixner. Height 5 feet 6 inches. Blue dress with small stars. Mechanic's pin. Dark hair. Height 5 feet 4 inches. Age twelve. Female. Red flannel shirt. A list of the Johnstown Flood victims is listed below and is organized by last name. Light brown hair, cut very short. Though the Flood of 1889 bears the name of Johnstown, the reason for the flood started 14 miles up river at "Lake Conemaugh." The 3-mile long body of water was originally called the Western Reservoir and was built by the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal system in 1852. Bunch of keys. Ages cannot be estimated. Brown overalls. Hair long and brown. . Light hair slightly gray. Weight 160. Light brown hair. Supposed to be Dr George Waggoner. Identified by the father. [1] Barton arrived on June 5, 1889, to lead the group's first major disaster relief effort; she did not leave for more than five months. Height 5 feet 8 inches Black hair Gray eyes. Age about twenty-two. Female. Age six months. Height 4 feet 9 inches. Striped dress. Female. Brown hair Gray eyes Dark striped coat and pants. Age about fifty. White. No coat or vest. White. High-buttoned shoes. 56 cts. Female. Black skirt Red underwear. Two gold rings. One round small tin plate with the Elgin Butter Co eagle stamped on it in pocket. Earrings. Weight 120. Pleated underwaist. Green corded petticoat. Prospect, June 14th. Red and black striped skirt, stripes one inch wide. White undershirt. Home-knit socks. Lace shoes nearly new. Daughter of John I. Harris, Chief of Police, Johnstown, Pa. Three rings. Female. Black hair. engraved thereon. Black dress. Gum coat. Light hair. Supposed to be William F. Beck, husband of Mrs. Blanche Beck (337), years 29 Machinist, worked in Gautier. Head severed from body. Blue eyes. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Hair black. Deformed. Wore blue calico dress. height. THE JOHNSTOWN FLOOD. Eighteen months old. Beckley.". Shoes number 5 or 6. Male. Female. Pocket-book containing $10 bill and one silver dollar. Height 6 feet. Female. White and black barred flannel skirt. Female. One watch and chain. Auburn hair. White underclothing. Make sure youre always up-to-date by subscribing to our online newsletter. Height 4 feet 6 inches Brown hair. Weight 50. Light complexion. Age about ten. Plaid wool skirt. Beale, D.D. Found in drift above Company's store. Red dress, trimmed with lace. Male Weight 90. Gold ring with rhinestone set, rubbed with sand. 5 ft. 4 in. Female. Flood, 1889]: Carrying body out of the wreck Male. Height 5 feet. Black cotton hose Button shoes. Glove on left hand. Female Age twenty-five. Very long black hair, mixed with gray. Son of John W. Peydon, 179 Clinton street. Identified by his partner, Mr. Jas. (Age eighteen to twenty?). Black stockings. Charm with different metals set in. Height 5 feet 6 inches. Two gold rings on right hand. Name found on arm. Blue calico dress with white dots. T Swank, in payment of. Two rings on right hand. The AmeriServ Flood City Music Festival has announced its headliners, Los Lobos and Keller Williams Grateful Grass feat. Black hair. Sandy complexion. Identified by her mother. 3 1/2 to 4 buttoned shoes. Male. Large upper front teeth. Blue spotted calico dress. The Pittsburgh speculators built cottages and a clubhouse to create the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club, an exclusive and private mountain retreat. Face very much disfigured. Rather small face Striped black and white skirt, pleated front and pearl buttons. Age forty-seven to fifty. $4.00 in cash. Red flannel drawers. Female. [12] However the warnings were not passed to the authorities in Johnstown, as there had been many false alarms in the past of the dam not holding against flooding. Some patches of quilt on body. A presentation on the diaries will be given this coming week, marking the 118th anniversary of the flood, before the collection is made a part of the Johnstown Flood Museum's permanent exhibit by 2009. Female. Aged about thirteen months. Male. Badly burned. Top of head bald. Blue dress. Buckeye in pocket. Red or sandy hair. Badly burned. Button shoes. Sandy hair. Dark blue waist. Found in Charles Mesher's store above stone bridge. Over 1600 homes were destroyed. Black stockings, with red and gray stripes on the top. Two gold rings. Blue eyes. The biggest flood of the first half of the 20th century was the St. Patrick's Day flood of March 1936. Three gold rings placed on body. Plain gold ring. Black corkscrew coat and vest. Medium size. Age forty to forty-five. Height 4 feet 4 inches. Probably ten or twelve years of age. Height 5 feet 5 inches. Blue underskirt. Female. Girl baby. Clerk Penna. Leather boots. [2], According to records compiled by the Johnstown Area Heritage Association, bodies were found as far away as Cincinnati, Ohio, and as late as 1911; 99 entire families died in the flood, including 396 children; 124 women and 198 men were widowed; 98 children were orphaned; and one third of the dead, 777 people, were never identified; their remains were buried in the "Plot of the Unknown" at Johnstown's Grandview Cemetery.[18][1]. Height about 4 feet 6 inches. Boy of sixteen or seventeen years (Johnstown). Blue and white striped waist. About twenty. Locating the bodies was a challenge. The news release detailed the discovery and investigation of the bodies, which stemmed from a complaint from a family on Jan. 10. Red underskirt. Black dress Canton flannel drawers. Heavy brown hair, plat, and tied with black ribbon. Gray eyes. Fifty-seven minutes after the dam collapsed, the flood hit Johnstown. Found on river bank at Coopersdale. Weight 150. Supposed to be Mrs. Reese, wife of J.W. Two rubbers. [19] At ASCE's annual convention in June 1890, committee member Max Becker was quoted as saying, We will hardly [publish our investigation] report this session, unless pressed to do so, as we do not want to become involved in any litigation.[19] Although many ASCE members clamored for the report, it was not published in the society's transactions until two years after the disaster, in June 1891. Blue eyes. Little black waist Red undershirt. In Commodore Perry's expedition in Japan, that opened up the first treaty. Gold watch and chain. Cameo ring with man's head. In their final report,[20] the ASCE committee concluded the dam would have failed even if it had been maintained within the original design specifications, i.e., with a higher embankment crest and with five large discharge pipes at the dam's base. Very heavy build. McCullough, David (1968). Flannel skirt. Scapular. Mustache and beard. Light hair. Brown striped dress. Two gold rings, one plain and heavy, one light band ring with "L.S.H." Heavy sandy moustache Black hair. Height 5 feet 9 inches. Dark hair, turning gray. Coleman, Neil M., Wojno, Stephanie, and Kaktins, Uldis. St. John's, on lot of James Diamond. Dark complexion. Gray eyes. Male. Wore a sacque Blue stripe stockings. The Johnstown flood occurred when a Pennsylvania dam failed after days of heavy rain. Black ribbed hose. Found hear Sheridan station. Age sixteen. Two $5.00 gold pieces. Height 5 feet. Height 5 feet. Brown hair Gray eyes. Age about thirteen. Light eyes. Full face, large forehead. Very heavy. Mangled daughters, bleeding sons, Barred woolen pantalettes with waist. Boy baby. No teeth above. B.". Female. Pearl buttons. Earrings. Short knee pants. Hazel eyes. Male. Gold spectacles. Female. Left leg off three inches below the knee. After the flood, there were no structures, no topsoil, no subsoil only the bedrock was left. Calico dress with red and white spots. Height 4 feet. Red and black checkered skirt. Male. Light brown hair Gray eyes. Age about three years. Black hose. Letter from her mother addressed Miss Della Davis, 142 Grant street, Johnstown. Light barred knee pants. Fair complexion. B. Full face. Pencil Several letters. Female. Killed at Sheridan station, July 22d. The last victim of the flood was reportedly found in 1911, twenty-two years after the disaster. Male. Blue cloth knee pants. Dark dress. Dark pants, striped. Red dress. Female. Sandy beard and moustache. This page was last edited on 6 February 2023, at 16:00. Black hair. Large pocket-knife and five cents. Corsets. [21] The long-awaited report was presented at that meeting by James Francis. One tooth-brush. Age forty-five to fifty. (?) $2.56 money. Supposed to be Mrs. Conrad Snable, bar-tender in Kost saloon on Washington street. Brown eyes. Male. Blue waist. Rubber finger ring in pocket. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service, Membership, archives, facility rentals & more, Johnstown Flood Museum/Heritage Discovery Center/Cultural Programming, Johnstown Children's Museum/Children's Programming, Los Lobos to headline AmeriServ Flood City Music Festival 2023, 99 entire families died, including 396 children, More than 750 victims were never identified and rest in the Plot of the Unknown in Grandview Cemetery, Bodies were found as far away as Cincinnati, and as late as 1911, Four square miles of downtown Johnstown were completely destroyed, The pile of debris at the stone bridge covered 30 acres, Flood lines were found as high as 89 feet above river level. Ear-drop in left ear round gold ball. 99 entire families were wiped out, 396 of them, children. High forehead. 15956, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Body delivered to her brother. Age sixteen. Hosts of martyred little ones, Seersucker dress. Auburn hair. Supposed to be son of Andrew Baker, Johnstown, Pa. Woman and child. Red flannel barred red and black. Button shoes. Home knit wool stockings Brown and white spotted necktie. Height 5 feet 4 inches Auburn hair. Female. Black ribbed hose. Female. Female. Badly burned. Heavy set. Metal buttons, with square figures in centre. Black coat. Eighty cents in coin. Male Sandy beard and moustache, slightly gray. Plaid dress pleated in front. Red underwear. Plaid wool dress with metal buttons. Buried Prospect, June 9th. Black hair. Polka-dot necktie. Long hair. Fifty-seven years. Unrecognizable. Buttoned shoes White handled knife. Checkered knee pants. Revolver and knife. Pass book. Age thirteen. Daughter of Charles Prosser, of Cresson. Large. Weight 65. Male. Age about four years. Three pair hose, two pair black, one pair black and white stripe. New shoes. 61 cts. Age sixty-nine. Catholic. . Officials say the search at the . Bunch of keys. White stockings, No. Light complexion and light hair. Middle finger of left hand stiff from some former injury. Small plain gold ring on left hand. Age fifty-five. High buttoned shoes. Female. Chain with cross attached. Another 50,000 were rendered homeless as a result of this "100-year flood". Blue calico overskirt. Red dress. Gray woolen sack. Crooked legs. Flannel shirt. Weight about 128. Pocket-knife. Cotton undershirt. Weight 140. Old scar on left side of face. But at around 10:30 a.m. Thursday - 39 years and one day to the date of the flood - workers with Everett-based Cottle's Asphalt Maintenance found that Yamaha 200 buried in the ground while they . Brown bib. Supposed to be Mrs. White. Professor of music. Weight 160. Wife of J. W. Tross. Recognized by her mother. Age about twelve. Blue dress. Age two years. No valuables. Long gingham apron, buttoned in back, puffed at shoulders. Female child. Female. The ASCE committee completed their investigation report on January 15, 1890, but its final report was sealed and not shared with other ASCE members or the public. Dark hair. Blue and black barred flannel skirt. Two collar-buttons. Police and Johnstown firefighters were dispatched at 1:40 p.m. Saturday as the result of a welfare check call made by family members of the . Female. Light complexion. Silver ring left hand. Light hair. Blue calico dress with small crescent dots. Sandy mustache and goatee. Valuables given to George Millheizer. Heavy brown hair. Bar pin with red settings. Buttoned cloth shoes, with patent leather tips. 12, Grand View. Age sixty-five. Long black hair. Full suit of clothes of brown and red and black checkers. Portage street, Conemaugh Borough. Blue eyes. Knee breeches black barred, coat of same. Sleeve-buttons. 1936 Press Photo A Flood Of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Which Was Flooded T . White cotton vest. Black eardrops. Gold filled teeth. Age unknown. Light hair. List of dead and missing people in the Johnstown Pennsylvania Flood of 1889. Winter opening hours have begun for the Johnstown Flood Museum and Heritage Discovery Center/Johnstown Childrens Museum: we are CLOSED Tuesdays and Wednesdays; OPEN Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays from 10:00 am-5:00 pm; and OPEN Sundays from noon-5:00 pm. Supposed to be Paul Geddes. . Weight 115. Female. Sandy hair mixed with gray. Black hair, slightly gray. Development included lowering the dam to make its top wide enough to hold a road and putting a fish screen in the spillway. Height 5 feet 1 inch. Age about thirty-seven. Boy. Height about 3 feet 9 inches. According to records compiled by the Johnstown Area Heritage Association, bodies were found as far away as Cincinnati, Ohio, and as late as 1911; 99 entire families died in the flood, including 396 children; 124 women and 198 men were widowed; 98 children were orphaned; and one third of the dead, 777 people, were never Age thirty. Female. Long black tie or scarf. Dark hair. Age about ten. Blank book bought of Irwin Rutlege, Jr. Small amount of money. As the Johnstown Area Historical Association notes, the dead were found hundreds of miles away and continued to be found for decades after the flood. Blue and white striped skirt. Two-collar buttons, one a pearl, the other gold plated with set. Female. Breast-pin. Small earrings. Weight 40 Height 3 feet 9 inches. Head burned off Dark lace shoes. Blue calico dress, figured half moon and stars. Age ten or eleven. Blank book. Female. Pair of steel knuckles Key. Gold watch, No. Valuables. Black woolen socks. Height 4 feet. Hundreds of people were never found, and one out of every three bodies recovered would never be positively identified. Age eight. The flood was as wide as the Mississippi River and three times more powerful than Niagara Falls. Key ring. Weight about 160. . [7] The Conemaugh River, immediately downstream of Johnstown, is hemmed in by steep mountainsides for about 10 miles (16km). 15 cts. Rather slender. Shippensburg, Pa. Short nose. Part of a skirt of a petticoat, the band of which was made of ticking The shoulder strap holding up the skirt was of the same material. Body taken by Mr. Thos. Male. Weight 160 Sandy moustache. Visit the Johnstown Flood Museum, which is operated by the Johnstown Area Heritage Association, to find out more about this shocking episode in American history. Two knives. Taken by James Murphy, "K.". About five years of age. The flood caused 17 million dollars in damages. Black hair slightly gray. Male. Male. Female. Weight 75. Now the lake is draining due to drought and climate change. Gold ring with form of woman on set. Weight 100. Female. Female. Dark high button shoes. Go. Johnstown's first call for help requested coffins and undertakers. Male. Height 5 feet Fine buttoned gaiters, Male Age twelve. Found at Conemaugh furnace. Pair of scissors. Gold breast pin with brilliant setting. Age five or six. Dark hair. Buried at Sandy Vale in lot of John Tittle. Chin whiskers. Black wool hose. Chased band ring. Johnstown, Pa. Black cloth pants. Tobacco pipe. Certificate of deposit for $1000 00 at John Dibert & Co. bank. About ten years of age. Hulbert House porter. Onthe body was found regis- tered letters, a receipt bearing date of February 13, and the name of Mrs. Anna M. Dairny, Beaver Falls, Pa. Frengle has been in the habit of keep- ing considerable money in the house, and at the time of the attempted bur- glary had about $2,000 in his possession. Black stockings. Height 3 feet 6 inches. Taken back to Johnstown, Pa. Black hair plaited and put up in knot. Large. The John Schultz house at Johnstown, Pennsylvania after the flood. Blue calico waist. Calico dress cut in two at waist. Blue and white barred calico dress. Blue eyes. Reported as having committed suicide. Cash $2.19 Two collar-buttons. Bracelets and rings duplicates of Miss Well's. Buried at Prospect, June 9th. Height 5 feet 8 inches. Male. Gave valuables to R. Duncaster in presence of Corporal F.W. Age twenty-one to twenty-five. Gray and black striped knee pants. Possibly a Jew. Two keys. Black hair. Age seven years. Female. O'Connell, of Washington street. Light calico dress with black figures. Height 5 feet 7 inches. Blue waist. Found in front of Cambria Iron Co.'s office. Black stockings. Height 5 feet 6 inches Black and white striped skirt. Plain white underskirt. Coffin furnished his father from the Morgue. White cotton underskirt and red flannel skirt. When the flooding began, the area's telegraph lines were down, preventing anyone. Gingham apron. Height 5 feet 6 inches. The club was successfully defended in court by the firm of Knox and Reed (later Reed Smith LLP), whose partners Philander Knox and James Hay Reed were both club members. Height 5 feet 9 inches. Height 4 feet 2 inches. Dark hair. Female. Male. Gum rubbers, No. Pearl buttons. 4. The city of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, was founded in 1800 by Swiss immigrant Joseph Johns (anglicized from "Schantz") where the Stonycreek and Little Conemaugh rivers joined to form the Conemaugh River. Dark hair. Age eight or nine. Button shoe. About thirty-five years of age. High button shoes, spring heel. Hair black. $45.00 in cash. Mustache black. Female. Supposed to be John C. Clark's son. Eyes unknown. Black stockings. Johnstown was the eastern terminus of the Western Division Canal, supplied with water by Lake Conemaugh, the reservoir behind the dam. A jury convened by a county coroner to investigate the cause of the Johnstown Flood that swept more than 2,000 people to their death on May 31 found on Saturday evening .