The story of Johnstown : its early settlement, rise ... - JohnstownCafe

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264 THE STORY OF JoaxsTOWX.
Amonf; the worst features nf the wreck were the actions of fiendisli rehc
huntt rs and h.eartk'ss excursionists. The writer saw a monomaniac secure tlie
charreil bones of an iiifant from amonu the snic.>kim; lic'bris. wrap [hi>ni caretuUy
in a ne^\spaper. and carry them a\\a\- with a i(.)iik of triumph on liis f.ice. One
man stcilc an old bantkanna handkerchief from tlie head of a dead colored
woman. AnotluT rerno\ed a slu.ie from an old ^'ra\-diaired man. whose stiif
and mangled corpse was tonnd danyliuL; in a tree ; a third possessed
liimself of the sheet which was thrown over the remains of a child, leaving
the body at the mercy of a weepuiL; heaven. khe excursionists who thronged
the regions around about woidd ha\ e Leen more at home in a priscm than anywhere
else, if one ^vere to judL;e by their actions. Some of them went about
singing, wliisthng and crackin the coarsest of jokes, while others trampled
over the coffins strewn along the road with an utter disregard for tlieir
contents.
Mr. .\rthnr J.
Moxham. percei\-ing the inabilitv of the authorities to cope
with the rutlians and restcire ipiiet. on Saturday afternoon ordered two hnntlred
of his employes from ^b).\ham. These were sworn in as special otticers and
speedih' subdued the lioodhims. .\ conference of leadiuL; gentlemen resulted
enforcing the law aiu! re-
in the selection of a Cititzens' Committee to assist in
pressing the abettors of disorder, A dozen of the ringk'atlers were run out o'
town, with a liint that a change of climate was essential to their continuance
on this planet. .All the liquor that could be found was spilled, guartis were
posted at convenient points, and by dark something like a thorough organization
had been effected. These judicious measures worked to a charm. The
turbulent spirits wilted, crime sneaked into obscurity and chaos no longer held
undisturbed control.
Alexander M. Hart, a responsilile citizen, was put at the head of the
police system, and no perscm could enter Johnstown without his permission.
In this way improper characters, adventurers, thugs and pick-pockets, who
flocked to the scene on Sundaw were excluded. Permits were granted all having
legitimate business within the borough limits. They were printed on
rough paper and enabled the hold(.-r to pass the guards at pleasure. My own
was in this st\'le :
I
Pass J. J. McLatirin to every \
\ part of tlu- District. I
51
PERMANENT. S
^
Ale\- M. H.IRT,
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S Johnsto-an, June i. iSSq.
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Bv Monday the unrtily element had lieen put down to stay down and
the Citizens' Committee had matters well organized. Next daj' a proclama-