South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club
Encyclopedia
South Fork, Pennsylvania
South Fork is a borough in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area...
for more than fifty extremely wealthy men and their families. The club was the owner of the South Fork Dam
South Fork Dam
The South Fork Dam was located on Lake Conemaugh, an artificial body of water located near South Fork, Pennsylvania, United States. On May 31, 1889, the South Fork Dam failed catastrophically and 20 million tons of water from Lake Conemaugh burst through and raced 14 miles downstream, causing the...
, which failed during an unprecedented period of heavy rains, resulting in the disastrous Johnstown Flood
Johnstown Flood
The Johnstown Flood occurred on May 31, 1889. It was the result of the catastrophic failure of the South Fork Dam situated upstream of the town of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, USA, made worse by several days of extremely heavy rainfall...
on May 31, 1889.
The failure released an estimated 20 million tons of water from Lake Conemaugh, wreaking devastation along the valley of South Fork Creek and the Little Conemaugh River
Little Conemaugh River
The Little Conemaugh River is a tributary of the Conemaugh River, approximately 30 mi long, in western Pennsylvania in the United States....
as it flowed about a dozen miles downstream to Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Johnstown is a city in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States, west-southwest of Altoona, Pennsylvania and east of Pittsburgh. The population was 20,978 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Cambria County...
, where the confluence of the Little Conemaugh and Stonycreek River forms the Conemaugh River
Conemaugh River
The Conemaugh River is a long tributary of the Kiskiminetas River in Westmoreland, Indiana, and Cambria counties in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.- Course :...
, a tributary of the Allegheny River
Allegheny River
The Allegheny River is a principal tributary of the Ohio River; it is located in the Eastern United States. The Allegheny River joins with the Monongahela River to form the Ohio River at the "Point" of Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
.
It was the worst disaster event in U.S. history at the time, and relief efforts were among the first major actions of Clara Barton
Clara Barton
Clarissa Harlowe "Clara" Barton was a pioneer American teacher, patent clerk, nurse, and humanitarian. She is best remembered for organizing the American Red Cross.-Youth, education, and family nursing:...
and the newly-organized American Red Cross
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross , also known as the American National Red Cross, is a volunteer-led, humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States. It is the designated U.S...
which she led. The death toll from the 1889 flood was approximately 2,209, about 1/3 of whom were individuals who were never identified.
Despite some years of claims and litigation, the club and its members were never found to be liable for monetary damages. The corporation was disbanded and the real estate assets were sold by the local sheriff at public auction, largely to satisfy a pre-existing mortgage on the large clubhouse.
Dam and club history
The South Fork Dam was originally built between 1838-1853 by the Commonwealth of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
as part of the Pennsylvania Main Line
Main Line of Public Works
The Main Line of Public Works was a railroad and canal system built by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the 19th century. It ran from Philadelphia west through Harrisburg and across the state to Pittsburgh and connected with other divisions of the Pennsylvania Canal...
canal
Canal
Canals are man-made channels for water. There are two types of canal:#Waterways: navigable transportation canals used for carrying ships and boats shipping goods and conveying people, further subdivided into two kinds:...
system to be used as a reservoir for the canal basin in Johnstown. It was abandoned by the commonwealth, sold to the Pennsylvania Railroad
Pennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
, and then sold again to private interests.
In 1879, at the suggestion of entrepreneur Benjamin Franklin Ruff, the newly organized club purchased an old dam and abandoned reservoir from Ruff which he had purchased from Congressman John Reilly
John Reilly (Pennsylvania)
John Reilly was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.John Reilly was born in Abnerville, Pennsylvania. He received home instruction and attended the public schools. He entered the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad, on April 10, 1854. He was appointed...
. Ruff envisioned a summer retreat in the hills above Johnstown. He promoted this idea to Henry Clay Frick
Henry Clay Frick
Henry Clay Frick was an American industrialist, financier, and art patron. He founded the H. C. Frick & Company coke manufacturing company, was chairman of the Carnegie Steel Company, and played a major role in the formation of the giant U.S. Steel steel manufacturing concern...
, a friend of his, who was one of the wealthy elite group of powerful men who controlled Pittsburgh's steel, rail and other industries,
Lake Conemaugh, which was about two miles (3 km) long, approximately one mile (1.6 km) wide, and 60 feet (18 m) deep near the dam, was named by the new club. The lake had a perimeter of 7 miles (11 km) and could hold 20 million tons of water. When the water was "up" in the spring, the lake covered over 400 acres (1.6 km²). The South Fork Dam was 72 feet (22 m) high and 931 feet (284 m) long. It failed for the first time in 1862, and although well-designed and built when new, by a history of negligent maintenance and alterations which later were believed to have contributed to its failure on May 31, 1889. Between 1881 when the club was opened and 1889, this dam frequently sprang leaks and was patched, mostly with mud and straw.
Major flaws were created at dam
Prior to closing on Ruff's purchase, Congressman Reilly had crucial discharge pipes removed and sold for their value as scrap steel, so there was no practical way to lower the level of water behind the dam should repairs be indicated. Ruff, while he was not a civil engineer, had a background that included being a railroad tunnel contractor and supervised the repairs to the dam, which did not include a successful resolution of the inability to discharge the water and substantially lower the lake for repair purposes.The 3 cast iron discharge pipes had previously allowed a controlled release of water. When the initial renovation was completed under Ruff's oversight, it was now impossible to drain the lake to repair the dam properly. To compound the problem, the owners and managers had erected fish screens across the mouth of the spillway, and these became clogged with debris, restricting the outflow of water.
Passers-by sometimes commented about the likelihood of a failure, but no action was taken. However, over the years, despite dire predictions of some, the dam had not failed completely since 1862. Notwithstanding leaks and other warning signs, the flawed dam held the waters of Lake Conemaugh back more or less successfully until disaster struck in May 1889.
The many years of false alarm
False alarm
A false alarm, also called a nuisance alarm, is the fake report of an emergency, causing unnecessary panic and/or bringing resources to a place where they are not needed. Over time, repeated false alarms in a certain area may cause occupants to start to ignore all alarms, knowing that each time it...
s may have contributed to the failure of anyone in Johnstown to take any serious action despite repeated warnings of imminent failure telegraphed by club personnel on May 31, 1889, following days of an unprecedented rainfall in the entire region. The president at the time of the flood was Colonel Elias Unger. The founding entrepreneur, Benjamin F. Ruff, had died several years earlier, and Unger had been on the job only a short time.
Club members
The charter members of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club, assembled by Henry Clay FrickHenry Clay Frick
Henry Clay Frick was an American industrialist, financier, and art patron. He founded the H. C. Frick & Company coke manufacturing company, was chairman of the Carnegie Steel Company, and played a major role in the formation of the giant U.S. Steel steel manufacturing concern...
were: Benjamin Ruff; T. H. Sweat; Charles J. Clarke; Thomas Clark; Walter F. Fundenberg; Howard Hartley; Henry C. Yeager; J. B. White; E. A. Myers; C. C. Hussey; D. R. Ewer; C. A. Carpenter; W. L. Dunn; W. L. McClintock; A. V. Holmes.
Alphabetically, a complete listing of club membership included:
- Edward Jay Allen - helped to organize the Pacific and Atlantic Telegraph Company
- D.W.C Bidwell - owner of a mining industry explosivesExplosive materialAn explosive material, also called an explosive, is a reactive substance that contains a great amount of potential energy that can produce an explosion if released suddenly, usually accompanied by the production of light, heat, sound, and pressure...
supply company - James W. BrownJames W. BrownJames W. Brown was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.James W. Brown was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He worked in the iron and steel industry and served as vice president of the Crucible Steel Company...
- member of the 58th United States Congress58th United States Congress- House of Representatives :* Republican : 209 * Democratic : 176* Silver Republican : 1TOTAL members: 386-Senate:* President: Vacant* President pro tempore: William P. Frye -Members:...
, president of the Colonial Steel Company, and secretary and treasurer for Hussey, Howe and Company, Steel Works, Ltd. - Hilary B. Brunot - attorney in Pittsburgh
- John Caldwell, Jr. - treasurer of the Philadelphia Company
- Andrew CarnegieAndrew CarnegieAndrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American industrialist, businessman, and entrepreneur who led the enormous expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century...
- Scottish-American industrialist, businessman, entrepreneur and a major philanthropist - C.A. Carpenter - freight agent for the Pennsylvania RailroadPennsylvania RailroadThe Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
- John Weakley Chalfant - president of People's National bank, associated with steel tubing manufacturer Spang, Chalfant and Company
- George H. Christy - attorney in Pittsburgh
- Thomas Clark
- Charles John Clarke - founder of Pittsburgh based transportation company Clarke and Company, father of Louis Clarke
- Louis Semple ClarkeLouis Semple ClarkeLouis Semple Clarke, or Simpson Clarke or simply LS was born in 1866 to Charles John Clarke, the son of Thomas Shields Clarke .-Family:...
- co founder of the Autocar CompanyAutocar CompanyThe Autocar Company is a Hagerstown, Indiana specialist manufacturer of cabover vocational trucks, mainly for refuse applications. Started in 1899 in Ardmore, Pennsylvania as a manufacturer of Brass Era automobiles, and from 1907, trucks. The last cars were produced in 1912, but the company...
and developer of the first porcelain-insulated spark plugSpark plugA spark plug is an electrical device that fits into the cylinder head of some internal combustion engines and ignites compressed fuels such as aerosol, gasoline, ethanol, and liquefied petroleum gas by means of an electric spark.Spark plugs have an insulated central electrode which is connected by...
s - A.C. Crawford
- William T. Dunn - owner of the building supplyBuilding materialBuilding material is any material which is used for a construction purpose. Many naturally occurring substances, such as clay, sand, wood and rocks, even twigs and leaves have been used to construct buildings. Apart from naturally occurring materials, many man-made products are in use, some more...
company William T. Dunn and Company - Cyrus Elder - attorney and chief counsel for the Cambria Iron CompanyCambria Iron CompanyCambria Iron Company is a National Historic Landmark located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The company was founded in 1852 and made many important contributions to the iron and steel industry...
- Daniel R. Euwer - lumber dealer for Euwer and Brothers
- John King Ewing - involved with real estate through Ewing and Byers
- Aaron French - founder of A. French Spring Company, manufacturer of steel springs for railroad cars
- Henry Clay FrickHenry Clay FrickHenry Clay Frick was an American industrialist, financier, and art patron. He founded the H. C. Frick & Company coke manufacturing company, was chairman of the Carnegie Steel Company, and played a major role in the formation of the giant U.S. Steel steel manufacturing concern...
- successful American industrialist and art patron - Walter Franklin Fundenburg - dentist
- A. G. Harmes - manufacturer of machinery through his Harmes Machinery Depot
- John A. Harper - assistant cashier of the Bank of Pittsburgh, president of Western Pennsylvania Hospital
- Howard Hartley - manufacturer of leather products and rubber belts through Hartley Brothers
- Henry Holdship - co founder of the Art Society of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Symphony OrchestraPittsburgh Symphony OrchestraThe Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The orchestra's home is Heinz Hall, located in Pittsburgh's Cultural District.-History:...
- Americus Vespecius Holmes - vice-president of Dollar BankDollar BankDollar Bank is a full service, regional bank serving both individuals and business customers, operating more than 50 branch offices and loan centers throughout the southwestern Pennsylvania and northeastern Ohio metropolitan areas. The bank’s Pennsylvania headquarters is located in downtown...
- Durbin Horne - president of retail company Joseph Horne and Company
- George Franklin HuffGeorge Franklin HuffGeorge Franklin Huff was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.George F. Huff was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania. He attended the public schools in Middletown, Pennsylvania, and later in Altoona, Pennsylvania...
- member of the Pennsylvania State SenatePennsylvania State SenateThe Pennsylvania State Senate has been meeting since 1791. It is the upper house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania state legislature. The State Senate meets in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. Senators are elected for four year terms, staggered every two years such...
from 1884 to 1888, member of the 52nd United States Congress52nd United States CongressThe Fifty-second United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C...
, the 54th United States Congress54th United States Congress- House of Representatives :-Leadership:- Senate :* President: Adlai E. Stevenson * President pro tempore: William P. Frye - Majority leadership :* Republican Conference Chairman: John Sherman- Minority leadership :...
, and the 58th United States Congress58th United States Congress- House of Representatives :* Republican : 209 * Democratic : 176* Silver Republican : 1TOTAL members: 386-Senate:* President: Vacant* President pro tempore: William P. Frye -Members:...
and the three succeeding Congresses - Christopher Curtis Hussey - Hussey, Howe and Company, steel manufacturers
- Lewis Irwin
- Philander Chase KnoxPhilander C. KnoxPhilander Chase Knox was an American lawyer and politician who served as United States Attorney General , a Senator from Pennsylvania and Secretary of State ....
- American lawyer and politician who served as Attorney GeneralUnited States Attorney GeneralThe United States Attorney General is the head of the United States Department of Justice concerned with legal affairs and is the chief law enforcement officer of the United States government. The attorney general is considered to be the chief lawyer of the U.S. government...
and U.S. SenatorUnited States SenateThe United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
from Pennsylvania and was Secretary of StateUnited States Secretary of StateThe United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with foreign affairs. The Secretary is a member of the Cabinet and the highest-ranking cabinet secretary both in line of succession and order of precedence...
from 1909–1913 - Frank B. Laughlin - secretary of the Solar Carbon and Manufacturing Company
- John Jacob Lawrence - paint and color manufacturer, partner of Moses Suydam
- John George Alexander LeishmanJohn George Alexander LeishmanJohn George Alexander Leishman was an American businessman and diplomat. He worked in various executive positions at Carnegie Steel Company and later served as an ambassador for the United States.-Biography:...
- worked in various executive positions at Carnegie Steel CompanyCarnegie Steel CompanyCarnegie Steel Company was a steel producing company created by Andrew Carnegie to manage business at his steel mills in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area in the late 19th century.-Creation:...
, served as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister PlenipotentiaryUnited States Ambassador to TurkeyThe United States of America has maintained many high level contacts with Turkey since the nineteenth century.-Chargé d'Affaires:*George W. Erving *David Porter -Minister Resident:*David Porter *Dabney Smith Carr...
to Turkey from 1899–1901 - Jesse H. Lippincott - associated with the Banner Baking Powder firm
- Sylvester Stephen Marvin - established himself in the cracker business, founding S. S. Marvin Co., centerpiece to the organization of the National Biscuit CompanyNabiscoNabisco is an American brand of cookies and snacks. Headquartered in East Hanover, New Jersey, the company is a subsidiary of Illinois-based Kraft Foods. Nabisco's plant in Chicago, a production facility at 7300 S...
) - Frank T., Oliver, and Walter L. McClintock - associated with O. McClintock and Company, a mercantile house
- James S. McCord - owner of the wholesale hatters McCord and Company
- James McGregor
- W. A. McIntosh (president of the New York and Cleveland Gas Coal Company and father of Burr McIntoshBurr McIntoshWilliam Burr McIntosh had an eclectic career. He was known, at different points in his life, to be a lecturer, photographer, movie studio owner, silent film actor, author, publisher of Burr McIntosh Monthly, reporter and a pioneer in the early movie and radio business.-Life and career:He was born...
and Nancy McIntoshNancy McIntoshNancy McIntosh was an American-born singer and actress who performed mostly on the London stage. Her father was a member of the notorious South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club, which had been blamed in connection with the 1889 Johnstown Flood that resulted in the loss of over 2,200 lives in...
) - H. Sellers McKee - president of the First National Bank of Birmingham, founder of Jeannette, PennsylvaniaJeannette, PennsylvaniaJeannette is a city in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 10,788 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Jeannette is located at ....
- Andrew W. MellonAndrew W. MellonAndrew William Mellon was an American banker, industrialist, philanthropist, art collector and Secretary of the Treasury from March 4, 1921 until February 12, 1932.-Early life:...
- American banker, industrialist, philanthropist, art collector and Secretary of the TreasuryUnited States Secretary of the TreasuryThe Secretary of the Treasury of the United States is the head of the United States Department of the Treasury, which is concerned with financial and monetary matters, and, until 2003, also with some issues of national security and defense. This position in the Federal Government of the United...
from March 4, 1921 until February 12, 1932 - Reuben Miller - Miller, Metcalf and Perkin, Crescent Steel Works
- Maxwell K. Moorhead - son of James K. MoorheadJames K. MoorheadJames Kennedy Moorhead was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.-Biography:...
- Daniel Johnson MorrellDaniel Johnson MorrellDaniel Johnson Morrell was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.Daniel J.Morrell was born in North Berwick, Maine. He moved to Philadelphia in 1836 and entered a counting room as clerk and afterward engaged in mercantile pursuits...
- general manager of the Cambria Iron CompanyCambria Iron CompanyCambria Iron Company is a National Historic Landmark located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The company was founded in 1852 and made many important contributions to the iron and steel industry...
, member of the 40th United States Congress40th United States CongressThe Fortieth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1867 to March 4, 1869, during the third and fourth...
and 41st United States Congress41st United States Congress-House of Representatives:- Senate :* President : Schuyler Colfax* President pro tempore: Henry B. Anthony - House of Representatives :* Speaker: James G. Blaine -Members:This list is arranged by chamber, then by state...
es - William Mullens
- Edwin A. Meyers - Myers, Shinkle and Company
- H. P. Patton - associated with the window glass manufacturer A. and D. H. Chambers
- Duncan Clinch Phillips - window glass millionaire, father of Duncan PhillipsDuncan Phillips (art collector)Duncan Phillips was a Washington, DC, based art collector and critic who played a seminal role in introducing America to modern art. The grandson of James H. Laughlin, a banker and co-founder of the Jones and Laughlin Steel Company, Phillips was born in Pittsburgh and moved with his family to...
- Henry Phipps, Jr.Henry PhippsHenry Phipps, Jr. was an American entrepreneur and major philanthropist.-Biography:He was the son of an English shoemaker who emigrated in the early part of the 19th century to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania before settling in Pittsburgh. When a child, he was a friend and neighbor to Andrew Carnegie...
- chairman of Carnegie Brothers and Company, American entrepreneur and major philanthropist - Robert PitcairnRobert PitcairnRobert Pitcairn was a Scottish-American railroad executive who headed the Pittsburgh Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad in the late 19th century. He was the brother of the Pennsylvania Plate Glass Company founder, John Pitcairn, Jr.Pitcairn was born in Johnstone, Renfrewshire, Scotland...
- Scottish-American railroad executive who headed the Pittsburgh Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad in the late 19th century - D. W. Ranking - physicianPhysicianA physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
- Samuel ReaSamuel ReaSamuel Rea was an American engineer and the 9th president of the Pennsylvania Railroad . He was awarded the Franklin Medal in 1926.-Early life and career:...
- an American engineer and the 9th president of the Pennsylvania RailroadPennsylvania RailroadThe Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
from 1913–25 - James Hay ReedJames Hay ReedJames Hay Reed, Sr. was a United States federal judge.Born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Reed received an A.M. from the Western University of Pennsylvania in 1872 and read law to enter the bar in 1875...
- partner with Philander Knox in the law firm Knox and ReedReed SmithReed Smith LLP is a global law firm, with more than 1,600 lawyers in 23 offices throughout the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia....
, a federal judgeUnited States District Court for the Western District of PennsylvaniaThe United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania sits in Pittsburgh, Erie, and Johnstown, Pennsylvania. It is composed of ten judges as authorized by federal law. The Honorable Judge Gary L. Lancaster is currently Chief Judge of the Western Pennsylvania District...
nominated by President Benjamin HarrisonBenjamin HarrisonBenjamin Harrison was the 23rd President of the United States . Harrison, a grandson of President William Henry Harrison, was born in North Bend, Ohio, and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana at age 21, eventually becoming a prominent politician there... - Benjamin F. Ruff - first president of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club, tunnel contractor, coke salesman, real estate broker
- Marvin F. Scaife - producer of iron products through W. B. Scaife and Sons
- James M. Schoonmaker - J. M. Schoonmaker Coke Company
- James Ernest Schwartz - president of Pennsylvania Lead Company
- Frank Semple
- Christian Bernard Shea - member of Joseph Horne and Company
- Moses Bedell Suydam - M. B. Suydam and Company
- F. H. Sweet
- Benjamin Thaw - co founder of Heda Coke Company, brother of Harry Kendall Thaw
- Colonel Elias J. Unger - managed hotels along the Pennsylvania Railroad,second and last president of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club, did not have a military record
- Calvin Wells - president of Pittsburgh Forge and Iron Company
- James B. White - manufacturer of manganeseManganeseManganese is a chemical element, designated by the symbol Mn. It has the atomic number 25. It is found as a free element in nature , and in many minerals...
ore through James B. White and Company - John F. Wilcox - civil engineer
- James H. Willock - cashier of the Second National Bank
- Joseph R. Woodwell - served on the board of directors for Deposit Bank of Pittsburgh and the Carnegie Institution for ScienceCarnegie Institution for ScienceThe Carnegie Institution for Science is an organization in the United States established to support scientific research....
- William K. Woodwell - associated with Joseph R. Woodwell and company
- H. C. Yeager - dry goods and trimming wholesaler through C. Yeager and Company
The flood
After several days of unprecedented rainfall in the Alleghenies, the dam gave way on May 31, 1889. A torrent of water raced downstream, destroying several towns. When it reached Johnstown, just under 2,200 people were killed, and there was $17 million in damage. The disaster became widely known as the Johnstown Flood, and locally known as the "Great Flood".Rumors of the dam's potential for harm, and its likelihood of bursting had been circulating for years, and perhaps this contributed to why they were not taken seriously on that fateful day. For whatever reason, at least three warnings sent from South Fork to Johnstown by telegram the day of the disaster went virtually unheeded downstream.
When word of the dam's failure was telegraphed from South Fork by Joseph P. Wilson to Robert Pitcairn in Pittsburgh, Frick and other members of the Club gathered to form the Pittsburgh Relief Committee for tangible assistance to the flood victims as well as determining to never speak publicly about the Club or the Flood. This strategy was a success, and Knox and Reed were able to fend off all lawsuits that would have placed blame upon the Club’s members.
In the years following this tragic event, many people blamed the members of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club for the tragedy, as they had originally bought and repaired the dam to turn the area into a holiday retreat in the mountains. However, they failed to properly maintain the dam, and as a result, heavy rainfall on the eve of the disaster meant that the structure was not strong enough to hold the excess water. Despite the evidence to suggest that they were very much to blame, they were never held legally responsible for the disaster. In keeping with the times, the courts viewed the dam's failure as an Act of God
Act of God
Act of God is a legal term for events outside of human control, such as sudden floods or other natural disasters, for which no one can be held responsible.- Contract law :...
, and no legal compensation was paid to the survivors of the flood.
Individual members of the club did contribute substantially to the relief efforts. Along with about half of the club members, Henry Clay Frick donated thousands of dollars to the relief effort in Johnstown. After the flood, Andrew Carnegie, one of the club's better known members, built the town a new library. In modern times, this former library is owned by the Johnstown Area Heritage Association, and houses the Flood Museum.