andrew carnegie and 50 other pennsylvania industrialists created the south fork fishing and hunting club near johnstown. they purchased property around a man-made reservoir, as well as the reservoir itself, and built and sold cottages. they were notified that the dam that created the reservoir was in poor shape and frequently sprang leaks, so they paid to have repairs made - with straw and mud - and raised the lake level. during a heavy rain, the dam collapsed. 20 million tons of water hit johnstown, pennsylvania, leaving more than 2,200 dead. the members of the south fork fishing and hunting club met following the flood and agreed not to mention it or the club in order to avoid lawsuits. it worked. carnegie later built the town a new library.