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The American Red Cross
The American Red Cross, organized in 1881 by Clara Barton, arrived in Johnstown on June 5. The flood was the Red Cross's first major disaster relief project and Clara Barton herself came to supervise the enormous task at hand. Her work in Johnstown established the Red Cross as the nation's primary relief agency.
1. Clara Barton was 67 years old when she came to Johnstown. Her extraordinary efforts, especially in finding temporary housing for the homeless, won her the city's lasting affection. One editorialist wrote, "Too much cannot be said in praise of this lady... To her timely and heroic work, more than to that of any other human being, are the people of the Conemaugh Valley indebted."
2. Clara Barton's headquarters. |