By Harold H. Strayer and Irving L. London

The Pennsylvania Railroad Station was probably the busiest place in town. Here, relief and help arrived from east and west. The station served as a commissary immediately after the flood. Tents of the militia were pitched nearby, and General Hastings, Commander of the units had his headquarters here. In the background can be seen fires caused by burning of the debris.

The office of the Cambria Iron Company (now Bethlehem Steel's dispensary and employment office) was the lone survivor in this section. Directly behind it stood the Wood, Morrell & Company store (now Penn Traffic Co.) At right center stood the Cambria Library which was completely demolished. The church steeple visible is that of the Franklin St. Methodist Church.

Mrs. Hettie M. Ogle, telegraph operator for Western Union, had her office in her home on Washington St. beside the library. With the water rising around her she was forced to move her instruments to the second floor shortly after noon. By 3:00 P.M. the flood waters had pulled the telegraph poles into the river channels and no more messages could be sent. Her home was destroyed as shown in the photo at left, and Mrs. Ogle was washed away. Her body was never identified, although a corpse was found with a telegraph instrument on it.