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

which
ORDKR OCT OF Cff.lOS.
J65
tion was issue(i tliat all men able to labor must report for work or lea\-e the
place. As the committee expressed it :
•
We have too nuich to do to support idlers, and will not abuse the generous help that is
beini; sent l>> doina so
'
At a public meeting on \\"ednesila\ . bv a unanimous \ote. Mr. J.
B. Scott,
of I'ittsbur-li, was chosen Dictator and \ ested \\ith absolute power to punish
offenders summarih'. On Thursday morning Mr. Scott anntumced the following
committees
;
Suppi.iKs. — John Thomas, fxev. Father Tehaney. Louis M Lunen. C B. Cover and C.
Skill, secretary
Finance —James McMillan, Thomas Swank. \V, C Lewis, John Roberts, Dwi^^ht Roberts
and (yru3 Elder
Te.\ms .^nd Messengers. — James McMillan, John Walters and K W, Welch, secretary.
iNhoKM.^TioN AND Tr.\nsport,\tmn — R, S, Murphv and C)rus Lrown
Company Committee. — Captain Kuhn, John Masterson, William Boyd and Charles
Griffith
Removal of Dead Animals —Charles Zimmerman
Morgue, — Rev, Dr, Bealc and Mr Chatburne,
Remover of Debris. —T L Johnson
TrME-KEEPiNG AND BooKS, — John S, Little.
Dangerous Buildings. — John Coffin and Richard Eyre.
Police Committee.—Captain Gagely and A. M Hart
Outside Search for Living; and Dead — John I'latt and William McHenry.
Fire Department. —William Ossenberger, chief.
Employment, — H C Evans
Sanitary Corps — Drs Lowman. Mathews and Lee.
Ever\thing was reduced to a thorough system and moved with the regularity
of clock-work. Captain A. J.
Logan, of the Americus Cluli. was given
charge of points west of Johnstown. Mr. Scott possessed the happy combination
of firmness and gentleness his trying position demanded. To the suflerers
he was ever courteous and considerate ; to evil-doers, a man of indomitable
resolution, whom they would do well to avoid. lie had the courage and discretion
to sav •Xo" when it shotdd be said. Hi:> administration was vigorous
and depredators had a whoie.-,ome respect for his authorit) ,
continued
until tlie State assumed the direction of allairs the second week in June.
The sheriff of Candiria Coimt\- deputized a large force of special officers.
known as the --tin-tag police," from wearing home-made stars, cut out of
tomato cans or anything that would furnish the requisite metal. A good man_\-
of the men employed in this manner were gross!}- incompetent. Puffed up
with a sense of self-importance ridiculousl\- disproportionate to their olrice.
the\- aimo\-ed people hv their t\rannical e.-vactions.
Citi/ens looking for friends
or property had to run the gaimtlet of a host of these overbearing specials at
ever\- turn. Able-bodied chaps, too lazy to w ork. \Youkl manufacture tin stars,
att.ich them to their coats and strut around with the airs of a despot. In this