Articles
The Johnstown Flood
May 31st is the 121st Anniversary of the Johnstown Flood.
On May 31, 1889, a flood devastated Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a city east of Pittsburgh, killing more than 2,000 people and destroying much of the town.
The Johnstown Flood
Streams were full, their waters roaring
Fast the torrents still kept pouring,
On that dark eventful morning,
Down to Johnstown came the warning;
Danger from the reservoir.
But the people thinking, surely,
That the dam was built securely,
Answered, when the warning given
Their salvation should have proven.
"We have heard such news before."
Down, the sweeping wave descended,
Buildings, tree and fences blended,
Making wreck and devastation,
Leaving waste and desolation,
Scenes of horror, wrapped in gloom,
Not a cry or prayer, heading,
Nor the voice of anguish pleading,
Like a fiend of death and plunder,
On with violence and thunder,
Sending mortals to their doom.
With a force that seemed tremendous,
Wrecks were made that were stupendous,
Bridges fell, strong works were riven,
Engines moved, cars tossed and driven
In the rushing stream revolved;
Then descended, torn and shattered
With their fragments widely scattered
By the waters, raging dashing,
As if all creation crashing,
Were about to be dissolved.
On the tossing fragments swinging,
Men and women were seen clinging,
Children too with piteous pleading,
Down upon the water speeding,
`Twas a sight to make one weep,
Those escaped, for loved ones fearing,
For themselves found nothing cheering;
Words of grief were sadly spoken,
Hearts and homes alike were broken
By that dreadful torrent's sweep.
Then were noble deed of daring
Done by those for others caring,
While from danger others hurried;
In her office once still tarried
Till her chance of life was past.
Ere the wave that rolled upon her
Bore her to her higher honor,
In that hour so dark and trying,
Down the wires the words came flying,
"Heed my message, this is my last."
Down the valley, speeding, flying,
Rode a horseman loudly crying,
Warning other of their danger,
While to fear he seemed a stranger,
Or had lost all thought of self.
On the torrent still is nearing,
Now at last `tis within hearing;
For the hills his steed he's urging,
But the waters, rushing surging,
Horse and rider, both engulf.
Noble souls! Such danger braving!
Facing death while others saving!
Can the warned forget them? Never.
They are gone, but will forever
In the hearts of others live.
`Tis a thought we gladly cherish,
That their souls can never perish;
May the lives so nobly given
Gain for them reward in heaven,
Better meed than earth can give.
Author unknown
A clipping from an old newspaper, 1900s era
