Chapter 8 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 9, "Our misery is the work of man," turns to the pointing of fingers of blame in the aftermath of the disaster. For two and a half weeks, Pittsburgh is the only channel for relief to Johnstown, with which it is linked through the steel business and family ties. Pittsburghers talk about nothing else and their papers delve most deeply into the facts. Thousands of refugees pour in, many orphans, and people drop everything to help. The railroad depots are busier than during the Civil War, schedules are cancelled, normal business stops, and traffic is nearly too great to handle, but Pitcairn is authorized by the main office in Philadelphia to expedite repairs and supply and works without let-up. The Pennsylvania Railroad donates $5,000 to the relief fund, but bearing the cost of emergency operations far outstrips this amount.

With military-style discipline...