RECOVERY AND REBUILDING
Within hours of the flood happening,
elders of the town called town meetings, decided on leaders, organized a police
force, formed hospitals, and created a morgue.
They knew the best way to get the job started was to develop a plan, and
that is just what they decided to do. A team from the Army Corps of Engineers came
to Johnstown to help rebuild. It took all of five years to rebuild what people
once knew as the town of Johnstown. Using the rail lines, thousands of men from
all over the country and tons of machinery arrived to help rebuild. The men
worked around the clock and were determined to get the job done as soon as
possible (Charles Guggenheim, Video).
Clara Barton, the first President
American Association of the Red Cross, arrived to offer assistance to those who
were left homeless. Miss Barton stayed in Johnstown for four months and helped
direct over $200,000 in supplies and $39,000 in cash. This disaster was one of
their biggest efforts in early history for providing help and assistance needed
(Clara Barton Chronology 1870-1912). With all of the supplies and help from all
around the country, it took all of five years to rebuild what people once knew
as the town of Johnstown (Charles Guggenheim, Video).