ALS, one lined page, 8.5 x 11, American National Red Cross letterhead, September 5, 1889. Letter of thanks for a donation of clothing sent after the Johnstown Flood of 1889. In part, “The pretty skirts are here…The larger one goes to Mary Wakefield, the daughter of a physician here - who lost heavily - of a beautiful home - twelve rooms - he has four left and in such a dismantled wrecked condition it seemed almost better if all had gone…he has absolutely nothing. With so much gone of the hard labor of years it takes great courage to begin again the struggle for existence - but that is a quality in which these Johnstown people seem to excel.” The Johnstown Flood disaster (or Great Flood of 1889 as it became known locally) occurred on May 31, 1889. It was the result of several days of extremely heavy rainfall, exacerbated by the failure of the South Fork Dam situated 14 miles upstream of the town of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, which unleashed a torrent of 20 million gallons of additional water. The flood killed over 2,200 people and produced $17 million of damage. It was the first major disaster relief effort handled by the new American Red Cross, led by Clara Barton. Barton arrived on June 5, 1889 to lead the group's first major disaster relief effort and didn’t leave for over five months. She and many other volunteers worked tirelessly. Donations for the relief effort came from all over the United States and overseas. $3,742,818.78 was collected for the Johnstown relief effort from within the U.S. and 18 foreign countries, including Russia, Turkey, France, Great Britain, Australia and Germany. In fine condition, with mild toning, a small separation along bisecting horizontal fold and several other mailing folds. R&R COA.
