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

We
314 Tf/E STORY I'F JOHXSTOUW.
quence as a speaker that auditors in listening; tu her pathetic recitals often
shed tears.
Apth" lias she been styled "the angel of the battle-liekl. the pestilence
and the flood."
The Pittshur:.;h Relief Committee co-operatetl with a Ladies' Relief Committee,
whose ihity it was to ricei\f' tlie sufferers upon their arrival from lohastown
ami see tliat thev were properh' cared for. This committee dul e.xcellent
service.
Mrs. Campbell. President of the ^^'o^lan's Christian Temperance L'nion.
journeyed from .\lleuheny the week after the tlood and or^'anized a temporary
home for distitute chikiren on Bedford street. Miss A\"alk proxided room for
twenty-live children at the Northern Home. Miss H. W. Hinckley and Mi^s
E. Hano\er. a^jents of the Children's .\id Societ\' of Philadelphia, came on the
first train through, and in twenty minutes had established a transfer agency.
Miss Plinckley said :
"There are hundreds of children here who are apparently without parents. We want all
of them given to us, and we will send them to the various homes and orphanages of the State,
where they shall be maintained for several months to await the possibility of the reappearance
of their parents, when they shall be returned to them. If, after the lapse of a month, they do
not reclain". their little ones, we shall do more than we ordinarily do in the way of providiui;
good homes for children in their cases. Think of it, in the house adjoining us are seven
orphans, all uf one family ! have tieen here only a half-hour, hut we have already found
scores \\'e shall stav ri^^ht here till everv child has been provided for."
The Young Mens Christian Association opened rooms in a brick building
on the corner of Main and Jackson streets, retaining them'until a new frame
structure was erected specially a fev,- doors below Alma Hall. Papers, books.
toilet requisites, stationerv. tables, desks ami chairs afforded conveniences for
washing, resting and corresponding of which thousands of poor fellows a\ ailed
themselves. Religious meetings \\ere held in the new building, \\hich contains
a lecture-hall and is visited dail}' b_\' scores of voung nten. The Episcopalians
had headquarters in tlie same residence on Main street, giving assistance to
all who applied. The Presbyterians occupied a building three doors above.
The Reformed Church furnished provisions and clothing without money and
without price. The Catholics aided multitudes, and other churches had a
gracious reception for adh.erents of their faith who needed help.
Contributions
for specific objects were not infrequent. The fireinen, who lost their enginehouses
and apparatus, were renieniliered bv their brethren. Musical org"nizations
assisted the bands, none of which saved an instrument. Sundayschools
collected funds for the children. Bovs and girls sent money to bu)'
books for the pupils and to repair the school hou>es. In short, no person or interest
was omitted in tlie corinirehensix'e scheme that aimed to shelter ev'ery
sufferer beneath its broad mantle of charit\'.