Stars: 4
Review by: Mandy Apgar
The day in
question was May 31, 1889 - when the mud dam holding up the waters of
Conemaugh Lake in Western Pennsylvania split (after a deluge of rain)
and the resulting flood destroyed the town below,
leaving over three thousand dead. Efforts to repair the dam (which was
often plugged with sticks) were fruitless but constant and there wasn't a
resident in Johnstown that wasn't afraid of the monster. But many could
not afford to leave, and as the area's prices
were so low (kept that way as an incentive by the area mills) they
stayed. And who plugged the dam with sticks, refused to do anything when
he rains came and the dam spouted torrents? The wealthy members of the
fishing club with their lakefront houses of course.
They didn't have to look at the thing. They didn't get their houses
flooded, or swept away when the dam burst. Or incinerated when a fire
broke out amidst the ruins. They didn't have to worry about a bloody
thing but at least many were smart enough to pack
away and never return after the waters receded. Johnstown attracted its
share of ghouls after, as well as angels like Clara Barton, and today
the town has been rebuilt and stands somewhat as a memoriam to the
floods of 1889 and a later (but heralded, and much
less dangerous) one in 1937. Told via eyewitness accounts and very well
presented.
No comments:
Post a Comment