Transcriber’s Note
The punctuation and spelling from the original text have been faithfully preserved. Only obvioustypographical errors have been corrected.
DEDICATION.
TO THE
SURVIVING SUFFERERS
OF THE
APPALLING CALAMITY AT JOHNSTOWN
AND
NEIGHBORING VILLAGES
THIS WORK
WHICH RELATES THE THRILLING STORY
OF THE GREAT DISASTER
IS DEDICATED.
OR
VALLEY OF DEATH,
BEING
A COMPLETE AND THRILLING ACCOUNT OF THE AWFUL
FLOODS AND THEIR APPALLING RUIN,
CONTAINING
Graphic Descriptions of the Terrible Rush of Waters; the
great Destruction of Houses, Factories, Churches, Towns,
and Thousands of Human Lives; Heartrending Scenes
of Agony, Separation of Loved Ones, Panic-stricken
Multitudes and their Frantic
Efforts to Escape a Horrible Fate.
COMPRISING
THRILLING TALES OF HEROIC DEEDS; NARROW ESCAPES
FROM THE JAWS OF DEATH; FRIGHTFUL HAVOC BY
FIRE; DREADFUL SUFFERINGS OF SURVIVORS;
PLUNDERING BODIES OF VICTIMS, ETC.
TOGETHER WITH
Magnificent Exhibitions of Popular Sympathy; Quick
Aid from every City and State; Millions of Dollars
Sent for the Relief of the Stricken Sufferers.
By JAMES HERBERT WALKER,
THE WELL KNOWN AUTHOR.
FULLY ILLUSTRATED WITH SCENES OF THE GREAT CALAMITY.
H.J. SMITH & CO.,
249 South Sixth St., Philadelphia
| CHICAGO, ILL.: Nos. 341-351 Dearborn St. | KANSAS CITY, MO.: No. 614 East Sixth St. | OAKLAND, CAL. No. 1605 Telegraph Ave. |
Copyrighted, 1889.
THE whole country has been profoundly startled at the Terrible Calamitywhich has swept thousands of human beings to instant death at Johnstownand neighboring villages. The news came with the suddenness of alightning bolt falling from the sky. A romantic valley, filled with busyfactories, flourishing places of business, multitudes of happy homes andfamilies, has been suddenly transformed into a scene of awfuldesolation. Frightful ravages of Flood and Fire have produced in oneshort hour a destruction which surpasses the records of all moderndisasters. No calamity in recent times has so appalled the civilizedworld. What was a peaceful, prosperous valley a little time ago isto-day a huge sepulchre, filled with the shattered ruins of houses,factories, banks, churches, and the ghastly corpses of the dead.
This book contains a thrilling description of this awful catastrophe,which has shocked both hemispheres. It depicts with graphic power theterrible scenes of the great disaster, and relates the fearful storywith masterly effect.
The work treats of the great storm which devastated the country,deluging large sections, sweeping away bridges, swelling rivulets torivers, prostrating forests, and producing incalculable damage to life