The Great Galveston Disaster
Paul Lester
502 chapters
14 hour read
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502 chapters
PREFACE.
PREFACE.
Thousands of men, women and children swept to sudden death. Millions of dollars worth of property destroyed. Scenes of suffering and desolation that beggar description. Heroic efforts to save human life. The world shocked by the appalling news. Such is the thrilling story of the Galveston flood, and in this volume it is told with wonderful power and effect. There have been many disasters by storm and flood in modern times, but none to equal this. In the brief space of twelve hours more persons l
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Introduction
Introduction
[RICHARD SPILLANE, editor of the “Galveston Tribune,” was chosen by the Mayor and Citizens’ Committee to seize any vessel in the harbor and make his way as best he could to such point as he could reach, so as to get in touch with the outside world, tell the story of the tragedy and appeal to mankind for help. He crossed the bay during a squall, the little boat in which he sailed being in imminent danger of swamping, having been stove in during the hurricane. He reached Texas City after a perilou
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WORST HURRICANE EVER KNOWN.
WORST HURRICANE EVER KNOWN.
The water extended across the island. Mr. Timmins said it was three feet deep in the rotunda of the Tremont Hotel, and was six feet deep in Market street. Along the water front the damage was very great. The roofs had been blown from all the elevators, and the sheds along the wharves were either wrecked or had lost their sides and were of no protection to the contents. Most of the small sailing craft were wrecked, and were either piled up on the wharves or floating bottom side up in the bay. The
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BODIES FLOATING IN THE BAY.
BODIES FLOATING IN THE BAY.
There was no way of estimating the property damage. The east end portion of the city, which was the residence district was practically wiped out of existence. On the west end, which faces the gulf on another portion of the island, much havoc was done. The beach was swept clean, the bath-houses were destroyed, and many of the residences were total wrecks. Among the passengers who arrived at Houston on a relief train from Galveston was Ben Dew, an attache of the Southern Pacific. Dew had been at V
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LOST WIFE AND SIX CHILDREN.
LOST WIFE AND SIX CHILDREN.
One of the refugees who came in on the relief train and who had a sad experience was S. W. Clinton, an engineer at the fertilizing plant at the Galveston stock yards. Mr. Clinton’s family consisted of his wife and six children. When his house was washed away he managed to get two of his little boys safely to a raft, and with them he drifted helplessly about. His raft collided with wreckage of every description and was split in two, and he was forced to witness the drowning of his sons, being una
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MANY TOWNS DEMOLISHED.
MANY TOWNS DEMOLISHED.
“The residence portion of the town presents a dilapidated appearance, but the damage in this part of the city has not been so great as in some others. The streets are almost impassable because of the litter of shade trees, fences, telephone wires and poles. Much damage was done to window glass and furniture. Many narrow escapes are recorded. “Another train has left here for Galveston, making the third to-day. The two preceding ones have not been heard from, as all wires are prostrated. “Meagre r
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SANTA FE TRAIN BLOWN FROM THE TRACK.
SANTA FE TRAIN BLOWN FROM THE TRACK.
“The Santa Fe train which left here at 7.55 Saturday night, the 8th, was wrecked at a point about two miles north of Alvin. The train was running slowly when it encountered the heavy storm. It is reported that the train was literally lifted from the track.” A thrilling story was told by two men who floated across from Galveston to the mainland. It came in the form of a telegram received at Dallas from Houston: “Relief train just returned. They could not get closer than six miles of Virginia Poin
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WATER BLOWN COMPLETELY OVER THE CITY.
WATER BLOWN COMPLETELY OVER THE CITY.
Mr. Joyce, another refugee from Galveston, made the following statement: “The wind was blowing Saturday afternoon and night at about seventy-five miles an hour, blowing the water in the Gulf and completely covering the city. The people of Galveston did not think it was much at first and kept within their homes, consequently when the wind began blowing as it did and the water dashed against the houses, completely demolishing them, many lives were lost. I have no idea how many were killed, but thi
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A BRIDGE TWO MILES LONG.
A BRIDGE TWO MILES LONG.
The island from the north side is connected with the mainland by railroad bridges and the longest wagon bridge in the world, the latter nearly two miles in length. In 1872 the entire east end of the city was swept away by the tidal wave that followed a terrific storm that swept the Gulf coast for three days. Then the eastern land, on which buildings stood, was literally torn away. The work of replacing it has since been going on, and Fort Point, that guards the entrance to the harbor, has since
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VAST AMOUNT OF MONEY INVESTED.
VAST AMOUNT OF MONEY INVESTED.
Many millions of dollars are invested in the wholesale and retail business of the city. On Strand street alone there are ten blocks of business establishments that represent an invested capital of $127,000,000. Market street is the heavy retail street, and there, in the heart of the flooded district, the losses cannot but reach away into the millions. The fact, as indicated by the despatches, that water is standing six feet deep in the Tremont Hotel, furnishes startling evidence to me that Galve
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OMINOUS PROGRESS OF THE STORM.
OMINOUS PROGRESS OF THE STORM.
On the morning of the fifth, the storm centre had passed over Cuba and had become central between Havana and Key West. High winds occurred over Cuba during the night of the fourth. By the morning of the sixth the storm centre was a short distance northwest of Key West, Fla., and the high winds had commenced over Southern Florida, forty-eight miles an hour from the east being reported from Jupiter, and forty miles from the N. E. from Key West. At this time it became a question as to whether the s
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ALWAYS IN DANGER DURING A HURRICANE.
ALWAYS IN DANGER DURING A HURRICANE.
At this time the heavy sea from the southeast was constantly rising and already covered the streets of about half the city. Up to Sunday morning no reports were received from southern Texas, but the barometer at Fort Worth gave some indications that the storm was passing into the southern portion of the State. An observation taken at San Antonio at 11 o’clock, but not received until half-past five, indicated that the centre of the storm had passed a short distance east of the place, and had then
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THE FATEFUL WINDS GATHERING FORCE.
THE FATEFUL WINDS GATHERING FORCE.
Unfortunately for Galveston, the slow movement of the hurricane was an additional menace, since this meant the longer pounding of the vertical winds of high velocities. As most readers know, the hurricane is a storm which has two entirely distinct motions. It is a great cyclonic whirl in which the winds blow into and about the centre at great velocities, while its motion along its track may be comparatively slow. In the present case it took the hurricane four days to cross the Gulf from Key West
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WIND STORM OF GIANT FORCE.
WIND STORM OF GIANT FORCE.
“Less than half a dozen out of approximately half a hundred wires between Dallas and Houston have thus far been gotten into operation. This is because the wind storm extended inland with terrific force for a distance of 100 miles, and destroyed telegraphic, telephonic and railroad connections to such an extent as nearly to paralyze these channels of communication. With the best of weather conditions, it will require several weeks to restore these systems to anything like their normal state. “Not
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OVER SEVEN HUNDRED CORPSES FOUND.
OVER SEVEN HUNDRED CORPSES FOUND.
“In a radius of approximately twenty miles from Virginia Point, the centre of railroad relief operations, up to late this afternoon more than 700 corpses had been washed ashore or picked up from the main land. Hitchcock, Clear Creek, Texas City, Virginia Point, Seabrook, Alvin, Dickinson and half a dozen other points midway between Houston and Galveston compose one vast morgue. “Down along the coast toward Corpus Christi and Rockport all is silence. Not a word had come from there up to this even
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RELIEF WORK STARTED.
RELIEF WORK STARTED.
“Relief work for the Galveston sufferers started in Dallas vigorously on receipt of an appeal from Governor Sayers. The City Council appropriated $500. A mass meeting of citizens appointed soliciting committees, as did also the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. Fully $10,000 in cash had been subscribed by night. “A special train was started for Houston over the Houston and Texas Central Railroad carrying committees of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and citizens to render aid and distribute re
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THE CITY IN RUINS.
THE CITY IN RUINS.
Richard Spillane, a well-known Galveston newspaper man and day correspondent of the Associated Press in that city, who reached Houston September 10th, after a terrible experience, gives the following account of the disaster at Galveston: FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, GALVESTON, AFTER THE STORM WRECKAGE OF CARS OF GRAIN—GALVESTON AVENUE L AND TWENTY-SIXTH STREET, SHOWING THE URSULINE CONVENT, THE REFUGE OF HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE RUINS OF THE GAS WORKS AT THIRTY-THIRD AND MARKET STREETS BURYING BODIES WHERE T
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CITY TURNED INTO A RAGING SEA.
CITY TURNED INTO A RAGING SEA.
“The wreck of Galveston was brought about by a tempest so terrible that no words can adequately describe its intensity, and by a flood which turned the city into a raging sea. The Weather Bureau records show that the wind attained a velocity of eighty-four miles an hour when the measuring instrument blew away, so it is impossible to tell what was the maximum. “The storm began at 2 o’clock Saturday morning. Previous to that a great storm had been raging in the Gulf, and the tide was very high. Th
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VERY FEW BUILDINGS ESCAPED.
VERY FEW BUILDINGS ESCAPED.
“Very few if any buildings escaped injury. There is hardly a habitable dry house in the city. When the people who had escaped death went out at daylight to view the work of the tempest and floods they saw the most horrible sights imaginable. In the three blocks from Avenue N to Avenue P, in Tremont street, I saw eight bodies. Four corpses were in one yard. “The whole of the business front for three blocks in from the Gulf was stripped of every vestige of habitation, the dwellings, the great bath
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WRECKAGE SWEPT ACROSS THE BAY.
WRECKAGE SWEPT ACROSS THE BAY.
“The shore at Texas City contains enough wreckage to rebuild a city. Eight persons who were swept across the bay during the storm were picked up there alive. Five corpses were also picked up. There were three fatalities in Texas City. In addition to the living and the dead which the storm cast up at Texas City, caskets and coffins from one of the cemeteries at Galveston were being fished out of the water there yesterday. In the business portion of the city two large brick buildings, one occupied
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EIGHT OCEAN STEAMERS STRANDED.
EIGHT OCEAN STEAMERS STRANDED.
“Eight ocean steamers were torn from their moorings and stranded in the bay. The Kendall Castle was carried over the flats at Thirty-third street wharf to Texas City, and lies in the wreckage of the Inman pier. The Norwegian steamer Gyller is stranded between Texas City and Virginia Point. An ocean liner was swirled around through the west bay, crashed through the bay bridges, and is now lying in a few feet of water near the wreckage of the railroad bridges. “The steamship Taunton was carried ac
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MULTITUDES SWEPT OUT TO SEA.
MULTITUDES SWEPT OUT TO SEA.
“From Virginia Point north and south along the bay front, at such places as Texas City, Dickinson, Hitchcock, Seabrook, Alvin and a dozen small intermediate points, the number of dead bodies gathered up by rescue trains and sailing craft had reached at noon more than 700. This is only a small scope of the country devastated, and it is feared the death list from the storm will ultimately show not less than 5000 victims. Hundreds have been swept out to sea who will never be accounted for. Two mass
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ARMY TENTS AND RATIONS FOR THE SUFFERERS.
ARMY TENTS AND RATIONS FOR THE SUFFERERS.
The officers of the National Government took steps at once to render all possible aid and assistance to the flood-sufferers of Texas. The President sent telegrams of sympathy to the Governor of the State and the Mayor of Galveston, and promised to render all possible relief. Adjutant-General Corbin also telegraphed instructions to General McKibbin, commanding the Department of Texas at San Antonio, to proceed to Galveston and investigate the character and extent of the damage caused by the hurri
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AN APPEAL FROM HOUSTON.
AN APPEAL FROM HOUSTON.
The following telegrams passed between the White House and Texas: “Houston, Texas, September 10.—William McKinley, President of the United States, Washington, D. C.: I have been deputized by the Mayor and Citizens’ Committee of Galveston to inform you that the city of Galveston is in ruins, and certainly many hundreds, if not a thousand, are dead. The tragedy is one of the most frightful in recent times. Help must be given by the State and Nation or the suffering will be appalling. Food, clothin
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CLARA BARTON READY FOR RELIEF WORK.
CLARA BARTON READY FOR RELIEF WORK.
Miss Clara Barton issued the following appeal in behalf of the Texas sufferers: “The American National Red Cross, at Washington, D. C., is appealed to on all sides for help and for the privilege to help in the terrible disaster which has befallen Southern and Central Texas. It remembers the floods of the Ohio and Mississippi, of Johnstown, and of Port Royal, with their thousands of dead and months of suffering and needed relief, and turns confidently to the people of the United States, whose sym
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THE DESTRUCTION INLAND.
THE DESTRUCTION INLAND.
Later details show that from Red River on the north to the Gulf on the south and throughout the central part of the State, Texas was storm-swept by a hurricane which laid waste property, caused large loss of life, and effectually blocked all telegraphic and telephonic communication south, while the operation of trains was seriously handicapped. Starting with the hurricane which visited Galveston and the Gulf coast Saturday noon, and which was still prevailing there to such an extent that no comm
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BODIES BEING BURIED IN TRENCHES.
BODIES BEING BURIED IN TRENCHES.
It was found to be impossible to send bodies to sea for burial. The water receded so far, however, that it was possible to dig trenches, and bodies were being buried where found. Debris covering bodies was being burned where it could be done safely. Work on the water works was rushed, and it was hoped to be able to turn a supply on in the afternoon. Outside of Galveston smaller towns were beginning to send in reports as telegraphic communication improved, and many additions to the list of the de
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MILITARY FORCES AND SPECIAL POLICE.
MILITARY FORCES AND SPECIAL POLICE.
“They issued a commission to Major L. R. D. Fayling, which made him commander-in-chief of all military forces and special deputies of police, and only subject to the orders of the Mayor and the Chief of Police. Major Fayling was authorized to requisition any men or property he may require for his force, and his receipt will be honored by the city of Galveston and any such property paid for by the city. “As soon as Major Fayling received his authority he collected a handful of half-naked, barefoo
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THE STENCH UNBEARABLE.
THE STENCH UNBEARABLE.
“The stench from the dead by Monday morning was unbearable. The triumvirate ruling the city pressed citizens into service to take the dead out in barges and bury them in the Gulf. The soldiers impressed into service, at the point of the bayonet, every wagon that came along and every negro to assist in throwing the dead into the sea. It was impossible to give other burial. “From the stench which pervades the city it is apparent that hundreds of bodies yet lie under the ruins. The sun is hotter th
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WORK OF HEARTLESS CRIMINALS.
WORK OF HEARTLESS CRIMINALS.
“It was a godsend, the placing of the city under martial law. The criminal element began looting the dead, and the cold blooded commercial element began looting the living. The criminals were stealing anything they could with safety lay hands on, and the mercenary commercial pirates began a harvest of extortion. The price of bacon was pushed up to 50 cents a pound, bread 60 cents a loaf, and owners of small schooners and other sailing craft formed a trust, and charged $8 a passenger for transpor
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THE FINANCIAL OUTCOME.
THE FINANCIAL OUTCOME.
The effect that Galveston’s disaster may have upon the financial obligations of that city was an interesting topic among local financiers. Whether the bonds will be paid when due or whether interest default will result when coupons are presented is a mooted question in certain circles. J. B. Adone, banker, of Dallas, and former member of the old banking firm of Flippin, Adone & Lobit, of Galveston, said concerning these points: “Galveston’s bond and interest obligations will be promptly
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TENTS AND RATIONS SENT.
TENTS AND RATIONS SENT.
Orders were issued by the War Department at Washington, for the immediate shipment to Galveston of 855 tents and 50,000 rations. These stores and supplies were divided between St. Louis and San Antonio. This represented about all such supplies as the Government had on hand at the places named, but it was stated at the Department that the order could be duplicated in a day. Mayor Van Wyck, of New York, issued an appeal to the citizens of New York, on the 11th, for help for the sufferers of Galves
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CONDITIONS THAT BEGGAR DESCRIPTION.
CONDITIONS THAT BEGGAR DESCRIPTION.
A telegram from Adjutant General Scurry, who was at Galveston, to the Governor, was as follows: “Have just returned from Texas City with several Galveston parties, who assure me that conditions there beggar description. Accounts have not been exaggerated. While a portion of the provisions has been destroyed by water sufficient on hand to relieve immediate necessities. The citizens seem to have the situation well in hand. United States troops and Company C., volunteer guard, with citizens, patrol
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MONEY BEGINNING TO POUR IN.
MONEY BEGINNING TO POUR IN.
“Governor Sayres received upward of 1000 telegrams during the day from parties in the East and West offering assistance to the flood sufferers at Galveston, and from various portions of the State reporting the collection of money and supplies. During the day Governor Sayres estimated that the receipts in money from collections in Texas would amount to $15,000, though from reports a great deal of money has been sent direct to Galveston instead of coming through the Governor, and the amount may be
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A VOICE FROM JOHNSTOWN.
A VOICE FROM JOHNSTOWN.
Mayor Woodruff, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, issued the following proclamation: “Later and more definite information of the fearful destruction of life and property at Galveston and other places in Texas recalls to our attention the awful calamity in Johnstown and vicinity eleven years ago. Whole squares of homes have been swept away, hundreds of dead are lying unburied and thousands of people destitute. This would be a fitting time to show our gratitude for what the world did for us in the hour
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BUILDINGS DESTROYED BY THE FLOOD.
BUILDINGS DESTROYED BY THE FLOOD.
The Opera House, City Hall, Masonic Temple, Moody’s Bank Building, Knapp’s publishing house, and Ritter’s saloon and restaurant, on the strand, are wrecked. From the latter seven dead bodies were removed from beneath the debris. Parties are engaged in removing the debris of the Knapp Building. Beneath they expect to find the body of Oscar Knapp, senior member of the firm. Richard D. Swann, cashier of John D. Rogers & Co., was drowned during the height of the storm while heroically attemp
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TWO GIGANTIC FORCES AT WORK.
TWO GIGANTIC FORCES AT WORK.
Two gigantic forces were at work. The Gulf force drove the waves with irresistible force high upon the beach, and the gale from the northeast pitched the waters against and over the wharves, choking the sewers and flooding the city from that quarter. The streets rapidly began to fill with water, communication became difficult and the helpless people were caught between two powerful elements, while the winds howled and rapidly increased in velocity. Railroad communication was cut off shortly afte
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ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
The city is filled with destitute, bereft and homeless people, while in the improvised morgues are the rigid forms of hundreds. Whole families are side by side. The city beach in the southwestern part of the city was under ten feet of water, and the barracks there are destroyed, the soldiers having a marvelous escape from drowning. Many substantial residences in the western and southwestern part of the city were destroyed, and the death list from there will be large. A heavy mortality list is ex
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COMMUNICATIONS ALL CUT.
COMMUNICATIONS ALL CUT.
In the north part of the west end the damage was great also, almost every building being damaged to some extent, and many completely wrecked. The cotton and lumber yards in that section of the city were completely razed, and much valuable machinery is ruined. However, the loss of life was not nearly so great in that district as it was out towards the beach. A special to the “News” from Galveston brought to Houston by the tug “Brunswick” gave the following additional particulars of the storm: “Th
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IN THE BUSINESS DISTRICT.
IN THE BUSINESS DISTRICT.
“In the business district not a building escaped injury. The Grand Opera House is caved in, and the fourth story of the Hotel Grand, a part of the same building, was blown off. The third story of the City Hall was blown away. The three story building of the Ritter Cafe was demolished, and crashed into the rear of the News Building. The fourth story was torn from the Moody Building, at Twenty-second street and the strand. The Masonic Temple was partially unroofed and the tower torn away. The uppe
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CARING FOR THE DEAD.
CARING FOR THE DEAD.
“Many of those who escaped tell of thrilling experiences. Mr. and Mrs. James Irwin got out on the roof of their dwelling. They were seated on the side of the comb, and when the building blew over they floated off separately on sections of the roof. Mrs. Irwin was on the raft alone all night. Mr. Irwin, who had found refuge at the Ursuline Convent, and who despaired of seeing his wife again, heard a cry for help. Hoping to rescue a human being, he pulled off through the water, and was surprised a
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RESISTLESS POWER OF THE HURRICANE.
RESISTLESS POWER OF THE HURRICANE.
It is a misnomer to call the violent revolving storm which devastated the city of Galveston and the adjacent coast of Texas a cyclone. It was in reality a hurricane, and more specifically what is known to meteorologists as a West Indian hurricane. A hurricane has a much smaller centre or diameter than a cyclone, travels with far greater rapidity, and its blasts often reach a velocity of 100 miles an hour. The hurricane of the West Indies, which is really born in the heated waters of the South At
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STIRRING APPEALS FOR HELP.
STIRRING APPEALS FOR HELP.
One of our leading journals made the following timely comments upon the Galveston calamity and the urgent necessity for quick help: “The cry for help which comes from the stricken city of Galveston and the surrounding country is a moving appeal which should receive the readiest and most generous response. The extent of the disaster which has overtaken the city and the coast country of Texas has not been over-drawn, it seems, in the reports from the scene, and it would be impossible to exaggerate
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TERRIBLE SUFFERING AND MISERY.
TERRIBLE SUFFERING AND MISERY.
“However generous or lavish may be the aid proffered, it will not be enough to repair the mischief of that storm, and however prompt the aid may be, it will not be quick enough to prevent terrible suffering and misery. Delay in providing for the impoverished and homeless means peril to more lives, deprivation and sickness, and, under the most favorable circumstances in getting aid to the district, thousands are fated to undergo the severest suffering. “Fortunately, the Government has stepped in
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POCKET FULL OF HUMAN FINGERS.
POCKET FULL OF HUMAN FINGERS.
One of these had in his pocket twenty-three human fingers with costly rings on them. The fingers had been cut from the victims of the storm found on the beach or floating in the waters of Galveston Bay. W. McGrath, Manager of the Dallas Electric Company, and representing large Boston interests in Texas, returned from Galveston direct. He says: “The only way to prevent an epidemic that will practically depopulate the island is to burn the bodies of the dead. The Governor of Texas should call an e
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THE STORY INCREASES IN HORROR.
THE STORY INCREASES IN HORROR.
A despatch from Houston summed up the situation as follows: Houston is now being rapidly filled with refugees from Galveston. Stragglers have been arriving every few hours, and this afternoon a trainload of some eight hundred reached the city thoroughly worn out and disheartened, each with a tale of woe and harrowing experiences. Contrary to the usual thing in chronicling catastrophes of the present character the story of Galveston grows worse as the time progresses and the facts become known. E
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ACTUAL LOSS WILL NEVER BE KNOWN.
ACTUAL LOSS WILL NEVER BE KNOWN.
The actual loss will never be made known. The storm overwhelmed entire families, who were swept into the Gulf with the wreckage of their homes. The bodies may gradually be thrown on the sands, but identification will be impossible. The committees are endeavoring to compile lists of both dead and living, but they will not be accurate, as many mistakes have already been made and the living reported dead. Registers have been made and posted in the city in order to facilitate this feature of the rel
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DISPOSING OF THE DEAD.
DISPOSING OF THE DEAD.
So far the efforts of the searchers have necessarily been confined to the open places, and it will be some time before the dead swept into the fields, the alleys and the gullies are gathered and laid away for good. The city is one awful stench of decaying animal matter. Nearly every animal on the island was killed, and the thousands of human remains still scattered beneath the vast piles of debris add to the danger of the situation. Too much time was lost in consigning the dead to the sea, and t
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PEOPLE DELAYED FLIGHT TOO LONG.
PEOPLE DELAYED FLIGHT TOO LONG.
Oswald Wilson, editor of the Texan , who arrived with the refugees, says that the situation cannot be painted any blacker than it really is. Fully one-third of the city has been destroyed absolutely and every building damaged. He says that one reason that the loss of life was so excessive was due to the fact that they delayed leaving their homes until too late. The water rose rapidly for several hours until the centre of the city was six feet deep and the outlying section covered to a depth of o
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REALIZED THEIR PERIL TOO LATE.
REALIZED THEIR PERIL TOO LATE.
Men waded about the city laughing at the rise of the water for hours, for the sea gradually encroached during the morning, and it was only when they realized the bay was forcing its contents to meet the tide from the Gulf that they lost their confidence that the present was but another attempt of the elements to create a disturbance, and seriously endeavored to reach a point of safety. Then it was too late, for the tide swirled in the streets and the wind had begun rapidly to increase in violenc
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MORE HORRORS DETAILED.
MORE HORRORS DETAILED.
J. C. Roberts, of the firm of Behring Brothers, Houston, was sent to Galveston to learn of the family of his employers. His journey was arduous, for he was one of the first. Arriving in the city worn out, he entered a little drug store and asked for whisky. He was refused. A doctor was present and gave him a prescription for the stimulant. The druggist charged $2.50 for the whisky, and the doctor $5 for his services. He landed at Galveston at Twentieth street, and walked through dead bodies. His
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NINETY NEGROES EXECUTED.
NINETY NEGROES EXECUTED.
It is said that ninety negroes have been executed for robbery, and it is unsafe for any one to stir at night unless provided with a passport from the officer in charge. A description of the burning of the dead and the burial at sea is beyond reproduction. All sentiment is at an end. It has become a matter of self-protection and in order to avoid pestilence rapid disposal of the corpses is necessary. Several loads of lime have been sent from here, with other disinfectants. The people of Galveston
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THE CITY OFFICIALS IN A LIVELY QUARREL.
THE CITY OFFICIALS IN A LIVELY QUARREL.
The situation has gotten beyond the control of the authorities. The powers in control have been quarreling. Last night at 7 o’clock every citizen soldier under command of Major Fayling was called in, disarmed and mustered out of service. Chief of Police Ketchum then took charge, and the Major was relieved of his command. During an hour and a half the city was unguarded. Negro looters held high carnival. As the Major’s work was unusually brilliant, the citizens are furious. This morning the situa
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WORK OF THE RELIEF COMMITTEE.
WORK OF THE RELIEF COMMITTEE.
At a meeting of the Relief Committee held this morning reports were received from the various wards. The chairman called for armed men to assist in getting labor to bury the dead and clear the wreckage, and arrangements were made to supply this demand. The situation in the city to-day is that there are plenty of volunteers for this service, but an insufficiency of arms. There have been two or three small riots, but the officers have managed to quell them. The committee rejected the proposition o
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WORK AT THE WATER WORKS.
WORK AT THE WATER WORKS.
Work on the water works had not progressed so satisfactorily as had been hoped for. The men did not work last night. Chief Engineer Reynolds has not been at the works since yesterday morning. Alderman McMaster took charge of the work to-day. The machinery has been cleared of the debris and the pipes found to be badly damaged, and plumbers, steam fitters and boiler makers are at work on them. Mr. McMaster says he thinks it will be possible to turn water into the mains to-morrow. All saloons were
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STRICT POLICE RULES.
STRICT POLICE RULES.
No liquor is permitted to be sold under any circumstances, unless ordered by the chairman of one of the committees or by a physician, who must state that it is to be used for medicinal purposes. All persons not having business on the streets after dark must be identified before they will be allowed to pass. Unless identification is forthcoming they are arrested. No person is allowed to work in or about any building unless he has a written permit signed by the Chief of Police or Deputy Chief. No
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NURSES FROM A DISTANCE.
NURSES FROM A DISTANCE.
The very presence of nurses was a sign that the calamity had attracted the attention of the world at large, and the city would not be left to succumb to the dire and terrible disaster that has overtaken it. One of the local journals said: “Merchants are cleaning up their stores and repairing their injured buildings; property owners are seeking everywhere to obtain men and materials with which to restore their shattered habitations. Hope has by no means departed. In a brief time the sound of the
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GOVERNOR SAYRES ON THE SITUATION.
GOVERNOR SAYRES ON THE SITUATION.
Governor Sayres made the following statement to the Associated Press on the flood situation: “Conditions at Galveston are fully as bad as reported. Communication, however, has been re-established between the island and the mainland, and hereafter transportation of supplies will be less difficult. The work of clearing the city is progressing fairly well, and Adjutant General Scurry, under direction of the Mayor, is patrolling the city for the purpose of preventing depredations. The most conservat
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THE TRANSPORTATION PROBLEM.
THE TRANSPORTATION PROBLEM.
This afternoon Governor Sayres received the following official report from General Manager Trice, of the International and Great Northern Railroad, who is conducting the operations of the relief corps at Galveston: “To Governor Sayres, Austin, Tex.—Your message of yesterday received. The cars containing the tents and rations were turned over to the barge line this morning and forwarded to Galveston, arrangements having been made for all freight to be handled by barges hauled by tugs from Clinton
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ADJUTANT GENERAL SCURRY’S ESTIMATE.
ADJUTANT GENERAL SCURRY’S ESTIMATE.
The following report was also received from Adjutant General Scurry: “Governor Sayres, Austin.—Mayor of Houston ordered Houston military companies here, sixty-five men and officers came. Thirty more come to-morrow. Mayor of Galveston directed me to take command. Streets patrolled for purpose of preventing thieving. Work of clearing the city progressing fairly well....
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LOSS OF LIFE AND DAMAGE AT OTHER POINTS.
LOSS OF LIFE AND DAMAGE AT OTHER POINTS.
Governor Sayres began receiving reports from various points along the Gulf coast, which would indicate that there has been great property damage done for several hundred miles, and that the list of Galveston fatalities and suffering will be largely augmented. Down the coast from Galveston, the town of Dickinson was laid waste and five people killed. The towns of Alvin, Alta Loma, Texas City and Brookshire, are wrecked and hundreds are destitute. Richmond is so badly demolished that it will requi
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BOATS FOR TRANSPORTATION.
BOATS FOR TRANSPORTATION.
The Governor was informed that quite a number of tugs from New Orleans and other available points had either arrived or were on the way to Galveston, and the transportation problem would soon be solved so far as the getting people from the island to the mainland was concerned. Hundreds applied to Governor Sayres for permits to go to Galveston, but he refused all, saying that there were already too many people there....
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THE DEVASTATION APPALLING.
THE DEVASTATION APPALLING.
The Quartermaster’s Department at Washington, received the following from Galveston: “Quartermaster General, Washington: Referring to my telegrams of 9th and 10th, I have, subject to approval, suspended the Crockett construction contracts, and again urgently recommend that contractors be paid for labor and material in place and on the ground. All swept away and lost beyond recovery. Fortifications at Crockett, Jacinto and Travis all destroyed and cannot be rebuilt on present sites. Recommend con
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VESSEL ORDERED TO GALVESTON.
VESSEL ORDERED TO GALVESTON.
President McKinley received a telegram from Governor Sayres, of Texas, asking that a light draft vessel be sent to Galveston to assist in the communication between the island and the mainland. The message was referred to the Treasury Department, and an order was issued to the revenue cutter Winona, at Mobile, to proceed to Galveston without a moment’s unnecessary delay. The Lighthouse Board also ordered the lighthouse tender Arbutus, then at New Orleans, to clear at once for Galveston. Captain S
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ATTEMPT TO SUM UP THE LOSSES.
ATTEMPT TO SUM UP THE LOSSES.
News has gradually been reaching here of the immense losses along the coast beyond Galveston. Damage difficult to estimate in dollars and cents has been done in a wide stretch of territory, and many human lives have been lost besides those which were wiped out in Galveston and its immediate vicinity. Based on reports believed to be accurate, the following statement is probably as near correct as can be arrived at at this time: Damage to cotton crop, estimated on average crop of counties affected
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RELIEF PUSHED FORWARD NIGHT AND DAY.
RELIEF PUSHED FORWARD NIGHT AND DAY.
Relief for those stricken in the awful calamity is now beginning to pour in from all over the country. Relief committees are being organized, and food, clothing and money raised to be sent here as rapidly as the special trains can carry the supplies to the people so sorely in need of them. The Relief Committee here announces that the subscriptions in cash are in excess of $15,000, and that in addition to the provisions which have been forwarded from here the Federal Government has ordered 50,000
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AN APPEAL TO THE FREE MASONS.
AN APPEAL TO THE FREE MASONS.
Houston, Tex., Sept. 12.—An appeal has been sent out by the Masonic Grand Master to the Masonic lodges and members in Texas, urging them to remit or contribute to the assistance of the destitute. Grand Commander W. F. Randolph, of North Carolina Knights Templar, to-day telegraphed the following to subordinate commanders of North Carolina: “Our fraters in Texas in dire distress because of recent storm. Immediate relief imperative. Grand Master appeals for funds. Wire or send quickly to Henry B. S
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SUBSCRIPTIONS UNDER WAY.
SUBSCRIPTIONS UNDER WAY.
Wilmington, Del., Sept. 12.—H. L. Evans & Co., bankers of Wilmington, to-day started a fund to help the storm sufferers at Galveston. Bishop Monaghan, of the Roman Catholic Church, in response to a telegram from Bishop Gallagher, of Galveston, has also started a relief movement. The money which was collected by the city during the Porto Rico famine is still in the possession of Mayor Fahey, and it is likely that it will be turned over for the relief of the people of Galveston. Atlanta, G
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PROTECTION OF GALVESTON A COSTLY PROBLEM.
PROTECTION OF GALVESTON A COSTLY PROBLEM.
To protect the city of Galveston from the ravages of future cyclones would be almost as costly as to re-establish the city on a new site. This is the opinion of eminent engineers in Washington. To insure the maintenance of the channel it has been necessary to erect jetties, which have cost more than $6,000,000, but these jetties do not furnish any obstacle of value to the invasion of the sea when behind it is a force such as a West Indian cyclone exerts. Because of the effect of storms upon the
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STORM TRAVELED OVER THREE THOUSAND MILES.
STORM TRAVELED OVER THREE THOUSAND MILES.
Under date of September 13th a prominent journal commented as follows on the great storm: “Fast disappearing into the Atlantic by way of Cape Breton Island the great West Indian hurricane is passing into history so far as the United States is concerned. “For twelve days this storm has been under the surveillance of the Weather Bureau. During this time it has traveled more than 3,000 miles, and has described in its course a perfect parabola. When the storm began its “swing around the circle” at G
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NOT MEN ENOUGH TO HANDLE THE DEAD.
NOT MEN ENOUGH TO HANDLE THE DEAD.
Further details of the great disaster were as follows: The citizens of Galveston are straining every nerve to clear the ground and secure from beneath the debris the bodies of human beings and animals and to get rid of them. It is a task of great magnitude and is attended with untold difficulties. There is a shortage of horses to haul the dead and there is a shortage of willing hands to perform the gruesome work. It became apparent that it would be impossible to bury the dead, even in trenches,
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RELIEF TRAIN FROM HOUSTON.
RELIEF TRAIN FROM HOUSTON.
A relief train from Houston, with 250 men on board, and two carloads of provisions, came down over the Galveston, Houston & Northern Railroad yesterday to a point about five miles from Virginia Point. It was impossible for them to get the provisions or any considerable number of the men to Galveston, so they turned their attention to burying the dead lying around the mainland country. There is no fresh water famine here, as the pipes from the supply works are running at the receiving tan
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ROBBERY AND MUTILATION OF THE DEAD.
ROBBERY AND MUTILATION OF THE DEAD.
A reporter has telegraphed from La Porte the story of the robbery and mutilation of the dead in Galveston and death of the offenders. Ghouls were holding an orgie over the dead. The majority of these men were negroes, but there were also whites who took part in the desecration. Some of them were natives and some had been allowed to go over from the mainland, under the guise of “relief” work. Not only did they rob the dead, but they mutilated bodies in order to secure their ghoulish booty. A part
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A REFUGEE’S STATEMENT.
A REFUGEE’S STATEMENT.
J. W. B. Smith, who went to Galveston from Denver, was in Saturday night’s storm, and reached Houston, after having an experience which he will remember the remainder of his life. He started from the city on Monday afternoon, and in walking from the foot of Broadway to the Santa Fe bridge, counted two hundred dead bodies hung up on wire fences, to say nothing of those floating in the water. He constructed a raft out of planks, and in company with Clegg Stewart, made for the mainland, which they
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MONEY BADLY NEEDED.
MONEY BADLY NEEDED.
The Galveston local relief committee sent out the following: “We are receiving numerous telegrams of condolence and offers of assistance. As the telegraph wires are burdened, we beg the Associated Press to communicate this response to all. Nearby cities are supplying and will supply sufficient food, clothing, etc., for immediate needs. Cities farther away can serve us best by sending money. Checks should be made payable to John Sealy, Chairman of the Finance Committee. “All supplies should come
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CARNEGIE’S PRINCELY GIFT.
CARNEGIE’S PRINCELY GIFT.
The Carnegie Company, of Pittsburg, was foremost in the contributions to the relief of the sufferers at Galveston. At the meeting of the Chamber of Commerce a motion to contribute $5000 was under discussion, when a representative of the Carnegie Company entered and said that he had been authorized by Mr. Carnegie through a cablegram to give $10,000 for the distressed. The announcement was greeted with applause....
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GREAT TIDAL WAVES IN THE WORLD’S HISTORY.
GREAT TIDAL WAVES IN THE WORLD’S HISTORY.
The tidal wave along the Texan coast will rank among the most disastrous in history. History is deficient in the record of such tragedies in human life, but the records are written in physical geography, and are found in the conformation of shore lines, here and there, around all the continents. It is impossible to estimate the number of lives lost through inundations since mankind began, for purposes of commercial intercourse, the development of seaports. Doubtless the total would run into the
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OLD AND CHARMING TRADITION.
OLD AND CHARMING TRADITION.
One of the oldest and prettiest traditions in the world is that which tells of a submerged city somewhere on the Scandinavian coast, the minarets and towers of which poets can see reflected in the waters at sunset, and the bells of which musicians, with ears divinely attuned to concordant sounds, can hear at vespers. Without either the poet’s eye or the musician’s ear it is still possible to conclude that traditions which have survived so many centuries, and which contradict nothing of the exact
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STORY OF THE LOST ATLANTIS.
STORY OF THE LOST ATLANTIS.
The world, with the lapse of centuries, has not even been able to outgrow the tradition of the lost Atlantis. Perhaps this is the oldest of all traditions of cataclysms which have blotted out cities and continents. It may be that it is because this one comes handed down to us from the illustrous hand of Plato that we yield to it a veneration which prolongs its life. Certainly it can never be more than tradition, without a return to the ages of miracles. Our lately found expertness in deep sea so
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BELIEVED THE SEA HAD CONCEALED A LAND.
BELIEVED THE SEA HAD CONCEALED A LAND.
The Greek philosopher located it off the shores of North Africa, a little to the southwest of Gibraltar. The Platonian description of the interior of the Atlantis of ancient times is surpassingly beautiful, but not more so than the rare imaginative power with which Plato writes of the country and its people, a most fabulous and engaging history. All this, of course, is the work of pure fancy, and only important, beyond the fact that it is the work of Plato, as showing how deeply the conviction h
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TIDAL WAVES ON ENGLISH COASTS.
TIDAL WAVES ON ENGLISH COASTS.
That the coasts of England have been visited by many and disastrous tidal waves there is abundant evidence. In fact, the ocean bar, which surrounds nearly the whole of England and Scotland, is evidence enough that the entire shore line, as it exists to-day, is itself the result of a great submersion, or series of submersions, which ages ago overflowed the old coast, rushed in shore, made new land lines, and, hollowing out between the new line and the old, a new ocean bed, leaving what had been c
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GREAT INUNDATION OF 1571.
GREAT INUNDATION OF 1571.
There are ancient town records in nearly all the seacoast towns of Lincolnshire which tell of the inundation of 1571. There was then as there is now, a chime of bells in the tower of St. Botolph, Boston, and when the tide was seen to be sweeping away the barriers the Mayor of Boston himself mounted the belfry stairs and had played the old love song called “The Brides of Enderby” as an alarm to the country side. But the tide came so unheralded, there having been no premonition of it in storm or t
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A REAL TRAGEDY AT GALVESTON.
A REAL TRAGEDY AT GALVESTON.
Perhaps it is a safe conclusion that the tragedy poetry as set for us on the Lincolnshire stage had found expression in real life along the Texas coasts. The old Lincolnshire woman’s plaintive narrative has never seemed unreal, because it is filled with the spirit of a homely life, but just now it seems like a voice from out the past telling us of the tragedy now at our doors. The poem is a very long one, but a few selections from its narration of the widespread desolation of the country will pi
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TIDES AND EARTHQUAKES.
TIDES AND EARTHQUAKES.
Many of the most fatal tidal waves of which we have any history, have been accompanied by earthquakes, adding to their horrors, but making it impossible to say whether the earthquake or the inundation has been the more fatal and destructive. The great earthquake at Lisbon in 1755 was accompanied by a tidal wave which, rolling up the Tagus river from the ocean, submerged all the lower parts of the city and destroyed thousands of lives which might possibly have escaped the earthquake shocks. When
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TERRIBLE SUFFERINGS OF THE SURVIVORS.
TERRIBLE SUFFERINGS OF THE SURVIVORS.
The people were undergoing a period of the sharpest deprivation, sickness prevailed, and intense suffering was in store for them. The plight of the city and its inhabitants was such that it would be impossible to exaggerate the picture, and demanded from the prosperous and humane everywhere the promptest and most abundant outpouring of gifts. Food, clothing, household goods, provisions of every kind, household utensils, medicines and money were needed by the stricken city and its impoverished me
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BODIES PILED IN THE STREETS.
BODIES PILED IN THE STREETS.
“Great piles of human bodies, dead animals, rotting vegetation, household furniture and fragments of the houses themselves are piled in confused heaps right in the main streets of the city. Along the Gulf front human bodies are floating around like cordwood. Intermingled with them are to be found the carcasses of horses, chickens, dogs and rotting vegetable matter. “Along the Strand, adjacent to the Gulf front, where are located all the big wholesale warehouses and stores, the situation almost d
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ALL SUFFERED INJURY.
ALL SUFFERED INJURY.
“I believe that with the very best exertions of the men it will require weeks to obtain some semblance of physical order in the city, and it is doubtful if even then all the debris will be disposed of. “There is hardly a family on the island whose household has not lost a member or more, and in some instances entire families have been washed away or killed. “Hundreds who escaped from the waves did so only to become the victims of a worse death, being crushed by falling buildings. “Down in the bu
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BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE.
BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE.
“But all the reserves of human energy are summoned forth by the very worst disasters, and courage should be written on the heart of Galveston. It is the time to lift up the hands of her strong men, to give them a word of cheer, for they are bound to the spot and must make the best of their fate. A chorus of evil predictions simply multiplies their difficulties and is a cruelty to them, whether it is intended to be so or not. “Let the dismal prophets reflect a moment. Though buildings have been d
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BODIES CONSTANTLY COMING TO LIGHT.
BODIES CONSTANTLY COMING TO LIGHT.
“The further the ruins are dug into the greater becomes the increase in the list of those who perished as their houses tumbled about their heads. On the lower beach a searching party found a score of corpses within a small area, going to show that the bulwark of debris that lies straight across the island conceals more bodies than have been accounted for. “Volunteer gangs continue their work of hurried burial of the corpses they find on the shores of Galveston Island, at the many neighboring poi
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LOOKING TO THE FUTURE.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE.
“Here and there business men have already put men to work to repair the damage done, but in the main the commercial interests seem to be uncertain about following the lead of those, who, apparently, show faith in the rapid rehabilitation of the island city. The appearance of the newspapers to-day, after a suspension of several days, is having a good effect, and both the News and Tribune are urging prompt succoring of the suffering, and then equal promptness in reconstruction. It is difficult to
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THE CITY STILL IN DARKNESS.
THE CITY STILL IN DARKNESS.
“One of the most serious results of the storm has been the ripping of the electric light and street car plants. The city has been in absolute darkness for several nights, and only a few concerns who operate their own illuminating service are enabled to do business. Nearly every residence has gone back to the primitive candle. The absence of street lights drives all those who have no imperative business on the streets to their homes at nightfall, but the work of the patrol system is made more dif
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ALARMING RUMORS FROM GALVESTON.
ALARMING RUMORS FROM GALVESTON.
The authorities at Galveston on the 13th prohibited the entry into the city of any one but men willing to work. Six hundred women and children fled from Galveston and came to Houston. The smell of the dead attained to the stifling point. Five hundred more bodies recovered from the debris were cremated in one pile. Several of the women who arrived at Houston from Galveston were fever patients. They were removed to ambulances from the train in stretchers. It was evident that the city was on the ve
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AUTHORITIES AT ODDS.
AUTHORITIES AT ODDS.
Galveston, Texas, September 13.—(By Western Union despatch boat to Houston.)—General McKibben, commanding the Department of Texas, his aide, and Adjutant-General, Lieutenant-Colonel Roberts, arrived here last night. General Scurry, Adjutant-General of Texas, also came in from Austin. Two companies of regulars from Fort Sam Houston also arrived. Galveston is now under martial law, by whose orders has not been proclaimed, and friction has already arisen between the civil authorities and the milita
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NO LIMIT TO HOUSTON’S HOSPITALITY.
NO LIMIT TO HOUSTON’S HOSPITALITY.
A mass meeting of the General Relief Committee was held on the 13th to discuss the best method of handling the crowds of people who were expected to come in from Galveston within the next two or three days. It was decided to pitch the Government tents in Emancipation Park in Houston, as there is no suitable place in Galveston where they can be put up. Mayor Brashear sent a communication to Mayor Jones, of Galveston, urging that all persons be sent to Houston from that place as quickly as possibl
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THRILLING EXPERIENCE OF TWO HOUSTON WOMEN.
THRILLING EXPERIENCE OF TWO HOUSTON WOMEN.
Mrs. Bergman, wife of Manager Bergman, of the Houston Opera House, gave a thrilling account of her escape during the Galveston storm. She was summering in a cottage on Rosenberg avenue, two blocks back from the beach, at 10 o’clock on Saturday. The water was up about three feet, and she donned a bathing suit and proceeded to the Olympia to talk over the long distance phone to her husband at Houston. At the Olympia she was waist deep in water. At 2 o’clock the water about her house was so deep sh
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TRANSPORT TO CARRY PROVISIONS.
TRANSPORT TO CARRY PROVISIONS.
Acting Secretary of War Meiklejohn issued orders placing the transport McPherson at the services of the Citizens’ Committee of the Merchants’ Association of New York for the immediate transportation of provisions donated for the relief of the storm sufferers at Galveston. The people who had been raising contributions and supplies in New York asked President McKinley for a transport, and the War Department acted immediately on the request. It was expected that the McPherson would leave within sev
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MONEY AND SUPPLIES FOR THE SUFFERERS.
MONEY AND SUPPLIES FOR THE SUFFERERS.
The subscriptions in New York up to Thursday, the 13th, for the relief of the Galveston sufferers were: Merchants’ Association, $52,099; Mayors’ Fund, $7000; New York Mercantile Exchange Fund, $2000; New York Cotton Exchange Fund, $5300; New York Stock Exchange Fund, $11,100; New York Produce Exchange Fund, $10,500; Chamber of Commerce Fund, $25,000; miscellaneous subscriptions, $30,000. Total, $142,994. The transport McPherson left at noon Monday, the 7th, for Galveston, carrying supplies which
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CLARA BARTON GOES TO TEXAS.
CLARA BARTON GOES TO TEXAS.
Miss Clara Barton, President of the National Red Cross, and her staff, left for Galveston, accompanied by Mary Agnes Coombs, the Secretary of the Executive Committee in New York during the Spanish war. It was the intention of the Salvation Army to equip a hospital car for Galveston. There were to be physicians and nurses on board and a large supply of hospital necessities. This car will be kept at Galveston as long as needed. A meeting of Americans, resident and transient, in Paris was held at t
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SYMPATHY FROM FRANCE.
SYMPATHY FROM FRANCE.
The following telegrams passed between the Presidents of France and the United States: “Rambouillet, President, September 12, 1900.—To His Excellency the President of the United States of America: The news of the disaster which has just devastated the State of Texas, has deeply moved me. The sentiments of traditional friendship which unite the two Republics can leave no doubt in your mind concerning the very sincere share that the President, the Government of the Republic and the whole nation ta
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STORY OF DEATH AND RUIN.
STORY OF DEATH AND RUIN.
Reviewing the situation it may be said that again were heard the cries of those in the wilderness of devastation asking for succor, for again, as a score of times before, Galveston and surrounding coast towns are the scenes of death and desolation. Homes razed and washed away by the waters that have claimed their occupants as victims of death and horror, has more than once been the story from the shores of the Gulf. History is now repeating itself, and the repetition has become frequent since 18
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STORMS THAT BROUGHT DESOLATION.
STORMS THAT BROUGHT DESOLATION.
There have been many such storms before whose fury has been felt by the coast people. One of the worst storms was in September, 1860, which caused ruin and death from Rio Grande to Mobile, and when the waters had subsided the loss could be figured at $3,000,000. Then in October of the same year, one month later, another storm swept down upon Galveston and Houston, and $5,000,000 had been wiped out. There were other storms of less violence, as, for instance, in June, 1891, when a southeast wind b
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ATLANTIC COAST ALSO SWEPT.
ATLANTIC COAST ALSO SWEPT.
Savannah, Ga., has not escaped the fury of the southern gale. The city suffered severely in 1881, the waters rushing into the streets and causing the death of four hundred persons by drowning. Four million dollars, it was said, was the amount of the damage to property. In 1893 Savannah was visited by another cyclone and forty persons were killed. This time the property damage was $7,000.000. Havana, Cuba, and the West Indies were visited by a destructive hurricane in September, 1888. One thousan
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HARDEST STORM FOR MANY YEARS.
HARDEST STORM FOR MANY YEARS.
One of the worst cyclonic storms of recent years was that on August 29, 1893, which carried havoc and destruction even into our own city, although this city escaped its utmost fury, although there came tales of shipwrecks at sea. It was a West Indian hurricane that originated in the West Indies on August 25, and reached our shores at Savannah, Ga., two days later. The storm passed through North and South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia and into the southwestern part of Pennsylvania. All the
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TIMELY WARNINGS WERE GIVEN.
TIMELY WARNINGS WERE GIVEN.
“Moving into the Gulf of Mexico, just west of Florida, on Thursday, September 6, in its week’s circuit of the United States, the hurricane has at least caused a loss of 5000 lives and probably many more, and has destroyed and damaged property to the extent of $15,000,000. And yet, after its probable direction and the curve of its track were ascertained on Friday, September 7, no great cyclonic disturbance has been more carefully watched or the menace of its forward movement more decisively point
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TERRIBLE VELOCITY OF WIND.
TERRIBLE VELOCITY OF WIND.
“The rate at which it made this jump, taking in the lakes in passing, was at the speed of fifty miles an hour, while the cyclonic winds kept blowing into the centre at a velocity of seventy miles an hour. That these two motions have nothing in common is shown by the fact that on Saturday, when the vertical velocities were at their height, ninety-six miles from the northeast and 100 from the southeast at Galveston, the cyclone was moving on its track from the Gulf to the interior of Texas at the
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THE STORM GROWS WORSE.
THE STORM GROWS WORSE.
“When the storm kept growing steadily worse we got a rope ready, so that if the worst came we could all be tied together. One family whom I knew did this. They tied loop knots around their wrists. All were drowned together and all were buried in the same hole. All night long we could hear cries for help. To every one who came we gave shelter. Once some one knocked at the door; when we opened it a woman fell headlong across the doorstep. She had fainted from exhaustion. We found a little girl in
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HOUSES IN FRIGHTFUL COLLISION.
HOUSES IN FRIGHTFUL COLLISION.
“A house was washed against ours. In it the wreckers found eight bodies, three of these and a night sergeant of police were buried in one yard. Our house rocked dreadfully. It and the two houses on either side of it, are old houses built over. No one thought they could stand the fury of the gale; but they were the only three left standing in that part of the city. Mr. Frank Groome and Mr. Hall had to swim home. The house in which Mr. Hall spent the night was split in two, but the side he was in
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TRYING TO SAVE THE CHILD’S LIFE.
TRYING TO SAVE THE CHILD’S LIFE.
“She blew her own breath into the baby’s body. After working for a long time, during the most terrible part of the storm, the baby was revived and is still living. She kept her invalid aunt alive by pinching her cheeks. The next day she reached a place of safety in the city. She said she could hardly walk along the beach for the bodies of children. There was a Catholic orphanage about five miles down the beach, in which were a hundred children and ten nuns. All of these but three boys were kille
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THREATENED WITH PESTILENCE.
THREATENED WITH PESTILENCE.
A visitor to the stricken city made the following report: “Galveston’s stress and desolation grows with each recurring hour. Pestilence, famine, fire, thirst and rapine menace the stricken city. Each refugee from the storm-lashed island brings tidings which add to the tale of the city’s woe. “Of the dead that lie in piles in the desolated streets and dot the waters that girdle the city, the true number will never be known. All estimates of the total of the victims of Saturday’s night’s tempest m
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FIERCE HEAT ADDS TO THE HORROR.
FIERCE HEAT ADDS TO THE HORROR.
“There is need of laborers in the city. The remnants of the fire department and police force, both of which organizations contributed many victims to the storm, are doing heroic work. Their efforts are supplemented by the citizens. Hordes of negroes, kin, many of them, to the unspeakable creatures who preyed upon the dead in their hunger for loot, have been commandeered and forced to lend their strength in delving in the ruins for corpses. Stern-faced men with shot guns and rifles stand over the
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ROBBERS DRIVEN FROM THEIR WORK.
ROBBERS DRIVEN FROM THEIR WORK.
Since Adjutant-General Scurry has assumed police direction of affairs, looting and plundering have ceased. No one has been shot, and order prevails throughout the city. The lawless know that they will be shot down on the spot when caught depredating, and this has had a very wholesome effect. The large force of men employed in burying and cremating the exposed dead scattered throughout the city have completed that portion of their work and are now engaged in searching for the bodies of unfortunat
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THE LOSSES OUTSIDE OF GALVESTON.
THE LOSSES OUTSIDE OF GALVESTON.
While the loss of life in this city will not fall below 5000 and may be many more, every little town within a radius of seventy-five miles of Galveston was wrecked and people killed and wounded, while the damage to property will aggregate over $2,000,000. The damage to property in and around Alvin, a thriving town of 2000 people, where eleven people were killed and quite a number wounded, is estimated at $300,000, and they send out an urgent appeal for aid and relief supplies. Fifty-four houses
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MILITARY RULE NEEDED.
MILITARY RULE NEEDED.
Major Lloyd P. Fayling, who was so prominent in the organization of the first relief effort, was asked what solution of the present disorganization of the policing powers he would suggest. The Major dictated the following: “The situation demands Federal aid. It demanded it from the very first. An experienced United States army officer of high rank should be put in command here, preferably one who has seen years of active service. A regiment of regular soldiers would absolutely control the situat
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EXODUS FROM THE CITY.
EXODUS FROM THE CITY.
The exodus from the city was heavy, and hundreds more were eager to go who were unable to secure transportation. Along the bay front there were scores of families with dejected faces, pleading to be taken from the stricken city, where, in spite of every effort to restore confidence, there is a universal feeling of depression. Shipping men say that the damage to the wharves is by no means as serious as at first supposed. The chief damage has been in the tearing open of sheds and ripping of planki
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BUSINESS BEING RESUMED.
BUSINESS BEING RESUMED.
A larger number of business houses than on yesterday are open, and advertising their wares at no advance in the prices. Carts with disinfectants are going through the streets. The gutters are being covered with lime. Carpenters are having all the work they can do. The storm tore hundreds of roofs off, and the people who are living in topless houses are eager to obtain coverings so as to prevent the destruction of what they have saved if a rain storm comes along. Thus far, however, the weather ha
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SURGEON GENERAL WYMAN MAKES A STATEMENT.
SURGEON GENERAL WYMAN MAKES A STATEMENT.
The following statement from Surgeon-General Wyman is dated Washington, D. C., Friday, Sept. 14: “In response to the request concerning the situation in Galveston, I have a report from Passed Assistant Surgeon Wertenbaker, who was directed to go from his station in New Orleans to Galveston, practically confirming the press reports as to the effect of the storm and conditions existing. He says: “‘City is wrecked. Press reports not exaggerated. Deaths estimated at 5,000. Bodies being cremated as f
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APPEAL TO DRUGGISTS IN HOUSTON.
APPEAL TO DRUGGISTS IN HOUSTON.
To all druggists: The storm stricken district is very much in need of the following drugs: Iodoform, chloride of lime, gum camphor, assafetida, crude carbolic acid, phenol sodique, gauze bandages, quinine and iodoform gauze. Contributions should be sent to the Houston Relief Committee. “Chicago’s first offering of food and clothing for the Texas sufferers left here last night (Thursday, the 13th), over the Rock Island Road on a special train of six cars that has the right of way over all trains
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PLANS FOR A NEW BRIDGE.
PLANS FOR A NEW BRIDGE.
W. Boscheke, assistant engineer of the Southern Pacific Railroad at Galveston, has received orders by wire from New York to prepare plans at once for a double-track steel bridge across Galveston Bay, ten feet higher than the old one, and to proceed with all the force possible. Engineers are at work making a survey and running lines preparatory to the resumption of work. J. W. Maywell, General Superintendent, and J. W. Allen, General Freight agent of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas, have arrived h
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A CONFLICT OF AUTHORITY.
A CONFLICT OF AUTHORITY.
A conflict of authority due to a misunderstanding precipitated a temporary disorganization of the policing of the city yesterday. It seemed that when General Scurry, Adjutant-General of the Texas Volunteer Guard, arrived in the city with about 200 militia from Houston, he conferred with the Chief of Police as to the plans for preserving law and order. An order was issued by the Chief of Police to the effect that the soldiers should arrest all persons carrying arms unless they showed a written or
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A CAMP AT HOUSTON.
A CAMP AT HOUSTON.
At a conference held at the office of City Health Officer Wilkinson, it was decided to accept the offer of the United States Marine Hospital Service, and establish a camp at Houston, where the destitute and sick can be sent and be properly cared for. The physicians agreed that there were many indigent sick in the city who could be removed from Galveston, and Houston was selected, because that city had very thoughtfully suggested the idea and tendered a site for the camp. Acting upon the suggesti
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OFFICIAL REPORTS TO THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
OFFICIAL REPORTS TO THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
Washington, Sept. 14.—The War Department has received several telegrams relating to the conditions at Galveston. The following is from Governor Sayres: “Austin, Tex., Sept. 13.—Will wire you if any further aid be necessary. Please express to the Department my most grateful acknowledgment for its prompt and generous assistance. General McKibbin, September 12th, reports generally upon the condition at Galveston as follows: “General conditions are improving every hour. Repairs to water works will b
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CAPTAIN RICHE’S REPORT.
CAPTAIN RICHE’S REPORT.
General John M. Wilson, Chief of Engineers, received the following comprehensive report from Captain Riche as to the condition of Government property at Galveston: “Jetties sunk nearly to mean low tide level, but not seriously breached. Channel at least as good as before, perhaps better. Twenty-five feet certainly. Forts as follows: Fort Crocket—Two fifteen-pounder emplacement, concrete all right, standing on piling, water underneath. Battery for eight mortars about like preceding, mortars and c
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BATTERIES UNDERMINED.
BATTERIES UNDERMINED.
“Fort Travis—Battery for three fifteen-pounder guns, concrete intact, standing on piling. Water underneath. Battery for two eight-inch guns, concrete intact, except eastern emplacement, which has cracked off; eastern gun down and twenty feet from battery; western one all right; concrete standing on piling; water underneath middle of battery. These batteries were inspected from the channel. Shore line has moved back about 1,000 feet, about on the line of the rear of these batteries. All buildings
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URGED TO HURRY A TRAIN.
URGED TO HURRY A TRAIN.
The boats could neither go on to Texas City nor return to Galveston. None of them had more than a meagre supply of water and no food, as the trip ordinarily does not require above an hour. Great suffering resulted. All afternoon they were becalmed, and, a slight breeze arising in the evening, at 9 o’clock at night the sailing craft which had left Galveston at noon began to dump their passengers upon the beach at Texas City. This place is now among the things that once were. There are no houses,
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NO RED TAPE TO STAND IN THE WAY.
NO RED TAPE TO STAND IN THE WAY.
Washington, Sept. 14—General Spaulding, Acting Secretary of the Treasury, took further measures to-day for the relief of the distressed citizens of Galveston by arranging for their transportation by foreign vessels to New Orleans or other gulf ports. The law provides that American vessels only can carry passengers between American ports, but during the present conditions the Treasury Department will remit the penalties to which foreign vessels would be liable, for the relief of Galveston. The Re
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RELIEF FOR TEXAS SUFFERERS.
RELIEF FOR TEXAS SUFFERERS.
“In the first steps of relief for those who have been stricken our northern cities made a generous response to the call for aid. The hearts of our citizens have been profoundly stirred, and they have given out of hand without questioning or hesitancy. Everything that would contribute to the care of the suffering and the succor of the needy has been offered without stint. All alike have come forward with their donations, rich and poor, according to their means. “From Philadelphia was dispatched a
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SLOWLY RECOVERING FROM THE STUNNING BLOW.
SLOWLY RECOVERING FROM THE STUNNING BLOW.
Galveston is now beginning slowly to recover from the stunning blow of last week, and though the city appears to-night to be pitilessly desolated, the authorities and the commercial and industrial interests are setting their forces to work and a start has at least been made toward the resumption of business on a moderate scale. Plans for rebuilding the city are also discussed. The presence of the troops has had a beneficial effect upon the criminal classes, and the apprehension of a brief but de
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MANGLED CORPSES WASHED ASHORE.
MANGLED CORPSES WASHED ASHORE.
Along the beach they are constantly being washed up. Whether these are those who were swept out into the Gulf and drowned or are simply the return of some of those cast into the sea to guard against terrible pestilence, there is no means of knowing. In any event, the correspondent, in a trip across the bay yesterday, counted seven bodies tossing in the waves with a score of horses and cattle. The city still presents the appearance of widespread wreck and ruin. Little has been done to clear the s
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WONDERFUL COURAGE AND HOPE.
WONDERFUL COURAGE AND HOPE.
The bulk of the population, however, is only temporarily panic stricken, and there are hosts of those who helped to make Galveston great who look upon the catastrophe as involving only a temporary halt in the advancement of the city. The decision of the transportation lines will do more than anything else to restore confidence. Big ships, new arrivals, rode at anchor to-day in front of the city. They had just reached the port and found the docks and pier damage so widespread that no accommodatio
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BUSINESS HOUSES SUFFER GREAT LOSS.
BUSINESS HOUSES SUFFER GREAT LOSS.
One of the most notable buildings of the city was that of the Improvement Loan and Trust Company, at Post Office and Tremont street. The damage sustained was not serious. The E. S. Levy office building, on Market and Tremont streets, cost $135,000. It contained 150 offices, and was considered a marvel of the town. This building withstood the storm and the occupants escaped by staying in their offices. The Marx and Blum Buildings, Twenty-fourth and Mechanic streets, was one of the large commercia
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LARGEST ELEVATOR BADLY DAMAGED.
LARGEST ELEVATOR BADLY DAMAGED.
Galveston had a gigantic elevator interest which had developed with the port’s growing grain trade. Elevator “A” at Fourteenth street, on the Bay side, was one of the largest in the world. Its capacity was in excess of 1,500,000 bushels of wheat. All the upper works of the elevator are gone. One of the remarkable things about the force of the storm was that it tore from their moorings several large steamships and carried them in diverse directions. For example, the Kendall Castle an English ship
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CARING FOR HOMELESS REFUGEES.
CARING FOR HOMELESS REFUGEES.
Houston now is the haven of the unfortunate people of Galveston. Trains have already brought in between 500 and 1000 of the survivors, and a motley crowd they are. Men bareheaded, barefooted, hatless and coatless, with swollen feet and bruised and blackened bodies and heads were numerous. Women of wealth and refinement, frequently hatless, shoeless, with gowns in shreds, were among the refugees. Nearly all of those who came in have suffered the loss of one or more of their family. It is remarkab
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WASHED ACROSS THE BAY FROM GALVESTON.
WASHED ACROSS THE BAY FROM GALVESTON.
B. F. Cameron, a lumber dealer of Stowell, Chambers County, says that the relief party which went from Stowell to Bolivar, reported to him that there was over 1000 dead bodies on the beach at Bolivar, Yeast Bay, and in sight of the salt marshes which line the bay. The party succeeded in burying only forty of the corpses. The others are lying in the water and on land, decomposing in the heat. Many of these bodies were evidently swept across the bay from Galveston. In view of the completeness with
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CAPITAL WILL BE SHY HEREAFTER.
CAPITAL WILL BE SHY HEREAFTER.
Capitalists will scarcely venture again in the near future to invest their money in a place where it is likely to be wiped out at a ratio of from $5,000,000 to $10,000,000 to one equinoctial storm. And when the Federal Government contemplates costly brand new coast defence fortifications, such as Fort Sam Houston, shattered by wind and waves, and ninety per cent. of the garrison killed, it will not consider the place where these ventures were made a safe one for their duplication. A harbor to be
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AUSTIN PREDICTS NO DESERTION OF THE CITY.
AUSTIN PREDICTS NO DESERTION OF THE CITY.
Austin, Texas, Wednesday.—In the first shadow of the awful calamity which has befallen Galveston the thought of many is that Galveston City will have to be removed to the mainland or deserted. Nevertheless, calmer opinion is that the city will not be moved. There are too many interests concerned, too much money invested and too many possibilities to think of moving the city. Property losses, while great, are not beyond repair. The city may not for many years regain the popularity it enjoyed up t
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GREAT NEED OF A SAFE HARBOR.
GREAT NEED OF A SAFE HARBOR.
The need of a safe deep-water harbor on the Gulf of Mexico has long been appreciated, and in 1899 Congress passed an act directing the Secretary of War to appoint a Board of three engineer officers of the army to make a careful and critical examination of the American coast of the Gulf of Mexico west of 93 degrees and 30 minutes west longitude, and to “report as to the most eligible points for a deep harbor, to be of ample depth, width and capacity to accommodate the largest ocean-going vessels
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BELIEVES CITY WILL BE REBUILT.
BELIEVES CITY WILL BE REBUILT.
Vice-President Tweed, of the Southern Pacific Railroad, said this morning that he felt sure that his road would repair the damage done to its properties at Galveston, and go on with further improvements planned. “I take it for granted,” Mr. Tweed declared, “that the directors of the Southern Pacific will keep up the work they started there. I do not think that this disaster, though certainly serious, will kill Galveston as a shipping port. No definite reports have been received as to the extent
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A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER.
A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER.
A correspondent, under date of September the 14th, wrote: “So far as the actual presence of death is concerned, nobody would know, from a glance at the streets to-day, that a terrible tragedy had been enacted here. Human corpses are out of sight. They have either been buried, taken out to sea or burned. “But the horrors have not been obliterated by any means. The danger of pestilence still remains. While the human corpses have been disposed of, those of animals—horses, cows, dogs, etc.—have been
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PEOPLE HURRYING TO ESCAPE.
PEOPLE HURRYING TO ESCAPE.
“The exodus from the city was heavy to-day, and hundreds more were eager to go who were unable to secure transportation. Along the bay front there were scores of families with dejected faces, pleading to be taken from the stricken city, where, in spite of every effort to restore confidence, there is a universal feeling of depression. “Shipping men say to-day that the damage to the wharves is by no means as serious as at first supposed. More hopeful reports were received to-day touching the water
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FREE USE OF DEADLY WEAPONS.
FREE USE OF DEADLY WEAPONS.
“The soldiers had no way of knowing by what authority the men were acting with these badges, and would listen to no excuses. After a hurried conference between General Scurry and Sheriff Thomas it was decided that all deputy sheriffs and special officers shall be permitted to carry arms and pass in and out of the guard lines. The deputy sheriffs and special and regular police now police the city during the daytime, and the militia take charge of the city at night. “More than 2000 dead bodies hav
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NEW SURVEY WILL BE MADE.
NEW SURVEY WILL BE MADE.
“A telegram from New York says that Colonel H. M. Roberts, of the Engineering Corps, United States Engineers for the southwest district, said to-day that a survey will be made of the wrecked Galveston forts and works. Captain Richie has submitted a report, in which he says the foundations which were built on piling withstood the ravages of the storm much better than the foundations without piling. In the future it is proposed to use piling exclusively. “Congressman R. B. Hawley, who was in Washi
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MORTALITY LIST IS ENORMOUS.
MORTALITY LIST IS ENORMOUS.
In fact, while the mortality list of the city grows larger every hour, the prospects of Galveston grow brighter. An investigation shows that industries that were supposed to be wrecked forever are only slightly damaged, and business in them may be resumed any day. “J. C. Stewart, the grain elevator builder, after careful inspection of the grain elevators and their contents, said the damage to the grain elevators was not over two per cent. The wheat will be loaded into vessels just as rapidly as
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DANGER OF AN EPIDEMIC.
DANGER OF AN EPIDEMIC.
“The danger of an epidemic now threatens the survivors. Many of the people are giving way to physical exhaustion. They have been compelled to subsist upon unwholesome food, drink polluted water and breathe the foul air of their unsanitary surroundings. In spite of all that has been done for the relief of the stricken Texans, the death roll is still growing. As many as possible must be removed from the scene of destruction to more healthful conditions. “What Philadelphia has done should go far to
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MONEY CLINCHED IN DEATH GRIP.
MONEY CLINCHED IN DEATH GRIP.
“Where the bodies are beyond identification and effects and jewelry are found, these are removed, and a memoranda taken for possible identification at some time by any one who is seeking a lost relative or friend. “A party that was picking up bodies for burial found the corpse of a nephew of Alderman John Wagner, eighteen years old, lodged in the forks of a tall cedar tree, two miles from his wrecked home. Tightly clinched in his right hand was $200, which his father had given him, with two twen
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SOLID TRAINLOADS OF SUPPLIES.
SOLID TRAINLOADS OF SUPPLIES.
“Supplies for the relief of Galveston’s sufferers are coming in from every quarter as rapidly as the limited means of transportation here will admit. Solid trainloads from the North and East are speeding towards Galveston as fast as steam will bring them, while cities, chambers of commerce and other commercial bodies in this country, England and Continental Europe are subscribing thousands of dollars for the sufferers from one of the greatest calamities of the century. “The distribution of suppl
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EXODUS SERIOUSLY HAMPERED.
EXODUS SERIOUSLY HAMPERED.
“The Transportation Committee is handicapped in its efforts to get out of the city the persons who are destitute by the lack of sufficient boats and rail communication. The latter want will not be supplied for many days. Present communication is by boat to Texas City, and then by the Galveston, Houston and Henderson Railway to Houston. Those who are able to pay are charged half fare; those who are not are given free transportation. Guards are stationed at Texas City to prevent the curious from i
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ANOTHER REPORT FROM GENERAL McKIBBEN.
ANOTHER REPORT FROM GENERAL McKIBBEN.
Washington, D. C., Friday.—General McKibben on September 12, reported to the War Department upon the conditions in Galveston as follows:— “General conditions are improving every hour. Repairs to water works will by to-morrow insure water supply for fire protection. Provisions of all kinds are being received in large quantities. Enough are now en route and at Houston to feed all destitute for thirty days. “There is now no danger of suffering from lack of food or shelter. City under perfect contro
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CAPTAIN RICHE’S REPORT.
CAPTAIN RICHE’S REPORT.
“ Chief of Engineers , Army , Washington, D. C.: “Jetties sunk nearly to mean low tide level, but not seriously breached. Channel at least as good as before; perhaps better. Twenty-five feet certainly. Forts as follows: Fort Crockett—Two 15–pounder emplacements, concrete all right, standing on piling water underneath. Battery for eight mortars about like preceding. Mortars and carriages on hand unmounted. “Battery for two 10–inch guns about like preceding, both guns mounted and in good shape. Sh
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ESTIMATES OF THE DEAD ARE TOO LOW.
ESTIMATES OF THE DEAD ARE TOO LOW.
Austin, Tex., Sept. 14—“I am thoroughly satisfied, after spending two days in Galveston, that the estimate of 6000 dead is too conservative. It will exceed that number. Nobody can even estimate or will ever know within 1000 of how many lives were lost.” This was the opinion of Assistant State Health Officer I. J. Jones, who arrived at Austin directly from Galveston, where he was sent by Governor Sayres to investigate the condition of the State quarantine station. Dr. Jones made an inspection of
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AN OFFICER’S BRAVERY.
AN OFFICER’S BRAVERY.
“Quarantine Officer Mayfield showed the greatest bravery and self-sacrifice when the storm came on. He sent all of his employees and his family, except two sons, who refused to leave him, to places of safety. He remained in the quarantine house with his two devoted sons throughout the terrible night. All of one wing of the house was taken away and the floor of the remaining part was forced up and carried away by the waters. Dr. Mayfield and his two sons spent the night on a stairway leading from
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WELL ORGANIZED.
WELL ORGANIZED.
“The relief work is fairly well organized. Nothing has been accomplished, except the distribution of food among the needy, and some attempt at clothing them. I found no one who was hungry or thirsty. About one-half of the city is totally wrecked, and many people are living in houses that are badly wrecked. The houses that are only slightly injured are full of people who are being well cared for. The destitute are being removed from the city as rapidly as possible. It will take three or four days
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THE GULF FULL OF BODIES.
THE GULF FULL OF BODIES.
“The waters of the Gulf and bay are still full of bodies, and they are being constantly cast upon the beach. On my trip to and from the quarantine station I passed a procession of bodies going seaward. I counted fourteen of them on my trip from the station, and this procession is kept up day and night. The captain of a ship who had just reached quarantine informed me that he began to meet floating bodies fifty miles from the port. “As an illustration of how high the water got in the Gulf, a vess
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A REFUGEE’S TALE OF HORROR.
A REFUGEE’S TALE OF HORROR.
F. B. Campbell, who was in Galveston when the floods swept upon it, was one of the first refugees to reach the North. He passed through Pittsburg, six days after the disaster, on his way to Springfield, Mass., which is his home. Mr. Campbell had his right arm fractured. William E. Frear, a Philadelphia commercial traveller, who was with Campbell in Galveston, accompanied him as far north as Cincinnati, and went home on the express. Frear’s right ankle was sprained. Campbell was a cotton broker a
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SOME WONDERFUL ESCAPES.
SOME WONDERFUL ESCAPES.
There were many wonderful incidents of the great storm. In the infirmary at Houston was a boy whose name is Rutter. He was found on Monday morning lying beside a truck on the land near the town of Hitchcock, which is twenty miles to the northward of Galveston. This boy is only 12 years old. His story is that his father, mother and two children remained in the house. There was a crash and the house went to pieces. The boy says that he caught hold of a trunk when he found himself in the water and
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INTENSE SUFFERING ON THE WATER.
INTENSE SUFFERING ON THE WATER.
The wind died away utterly and the boats could neither go on to Texas City nor return to Galveston. None of them had more than a meager supply of water, which was soon exhausted; the sun beat down with a merciless severity. In a short time babies and young children became ill and in many instances their mothers were also prostrated. There was absolutely no relief to be had, as the tugs of Galveston Bay, which might have given the sloops tow, are all made for deep sea work and draw too much water
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GALVESTON REFUGEES AT HOUSTON.
GALVESTON REFUGEES AT HOUSTON.
The “Post” of Houston prints a list of 2701 names of Galveston dead, compiled from various sources, but believed to be authentic. There are many bodies still in the ruins of Galveston and scattered along the beach of the mainland and in the marshes. About 1300 people arrived here from Galveston on the 13th. Four buildings have been set apart for the benefit of refugees, but of the 3500 who have reached here so far not more than 800 remain in the public charge, the remainder of them going to the
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MESSAGES FOR THE DEAD.
MESSAGES FOR THE DEAD.
The following statement was made on Friday, the 14th; it was dated at Dallas: “Galveston is no longer shut off from wire communication with the outside world. At 1.15 o’clock this afternoon the Postal Telegraph and Cable Company received a bulletin from the storm-stricken city stating that wire connection had been made across the bay by cable, and that direct communication with the island city was resumed with two wires working and that two more would be ready by to-morrow. A rush of messages fo
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WHOLE FAMILY KILLED BY STORM.
WHOLE FAMILY KILLED BY STORM.
Among those who were caught in the storm that devastated Galveston on Sunday night were six persons who comprised the family of Peter E. McKenna, a former resident of Philadelphia. According to news received by their relatives in that city, all perished. When word of the Texas disaster first came it was reported that the entire family had been lost, but it later developed that a married daughter, who lives in Omaha, Neb., was not visiting her parents, as was first supposed, and therefore escaped
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CLEARING THE WATER FRONT.
CLEARING THE WATER FRONT.
At a conference held at the office of the City Health Officer on Friday, the 14th, it was decided to accept the offer of the Marine Hospital Service, and establish a camp at Houston, where the destitute and invalids can be sent. The physicians agreed that there were many indigent persons in the city who should be removed. A message was sent to the Surgeon General asking that the department furnish one thousand tents, of four-berth capacity each; also seven hundred barrels of disinfecting fluid.
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STRANGE BURIAL PLACES AND GRAVES.
STRANGE BURIAL PLACES AND GRAVES.
Although the work of disposing of the dead is being pushed, several hundred bodies are still buried beneath the wreckage. Thirty-two sand mounds marked with small boards, attract attention on the beach, near Twenty-sixth street, and tell the story of where about seventy-five bodies have been buried. One of the greatest needs of the city now is disinfectants. The local Committee on Correspondence drafted this general message to the country: “Our most urgent present needs now are disinfectants, li
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SEEKING FORMER RESIDENCES.
SEEKING FORMER RESIDENCES.
A correspondent walked along the beach for some distance to-day and the stench was sickening. Everywhere little groups of men, women and children, some poorly clad, were digging in the ruins of their homes for what little household property they could save. In many cases, those seeking their former residences were unable to find a single remnant of them. The exodus from the city was heavy to-day, and hundreds more were eager to leave, but were unable to secure transportation. Along the bay front
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SOUTHERN PACIFIC WILL REBUILD.
SOUTHERN PACIFIC WILL REBUILD.
To a journal in New York the “Galveston News” sent the following important statement: “You ask the ‘News’ what is our estimate of Galveston’s future and what the prospects are for building up the city. Briefly stated, the ‘News’ believes that inside of two years there will exist upon the island of Galveston a city three times greater than the one that has just been partially destroyed. The devastation has been great and the loss of life terrible, but there is a hopefulness at the very time this
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AN EXCELLENT PORT.
AN EXCELLENT PORT.
“Our wharves will be rebuilt, the sanitary condition of the city will be perfected; streets will be laid with material superior to that destroyed, new vigor and life will enter the community with the work of construction, and the products of the twenty-one States and Territories contiguous will pour through the port of Galveston. “We have now, through the action of this storm, with all its devastation, thirty feet of water on the bar, making this port the equal, if not the superior, of all other
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PLAN TO PROTECT GALVESTON.
PLAN TO PROTECT GALVESTON.
Can the city of Galveston, almost obliterated by the recent storm, be protected from all future assaults by the Gulf? Colonel Henry M. Robert, United States Corps of Engineers, and divisional engineer of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, who is stationed here at present, says that Galveston can be absolutely protected from every storm by a sea wall built along the Gulf front. Colonel Robert, during the late spring, while on a visit to Galveston, suggested a comprehensive plan for the improvement, of
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THE PROJECT WAS APPROVED.
THE PROJECT WAS APPROVED.
The plan also involved the extension of the jetty channel through Galveston Bay and up Buffalo Bayou as far as Houston, more than sixty miles distant, making the latter city an open seaport. Railways would have, by means of the filled-in land, ready access to the city, and, in addition, the port facilities of Galveston would be many times increased, and a continuous sea channel be constructed from the Gulf to Houston. This project, as outlined by Colonel Robert, received the unqualified approval
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COST OF THE SEA WALL.
COST OF THE SEA WALL.
As to the expense of such a structure, it is thought by engineers that a liberal estimate would be about $1,500,000 per mile. This wall, as projected by Colonel Robert, would extend from a point on the south jetty, where the latter crosses the Gulf front of the city, and would follow the line of the beach, two or three feet above the water level, until it reached the southwestern limit of the island, in the shallow water of West Bay. At the latter point the danger from storms is not serious. At
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EXTENSIVE HARBOR IMPROVEMENT.
EXTENSIVE HARBOR IMPROVEMENT.
The magnitude of the plan for the improvement of the harbor of Galveston may be imagined when it is observed that the inner basin, or harbor, is to be about five miles long by three broad, that it may be approached by a deep water channel accommodating ocean going vessels of the deepest draught. The outlet into West Bay will not be so deep, as the bay itself is navigable by light draught vessels only. The new land, formed on the basis of Pelican Island and flats will be about four miles square.
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A VERY GRAVE PROBLEM.
A VERY GRAVE PROBLEM.
Then a problem in mortality such as no other American community ever faced was presented. Pestilence, which stalked forth by Monday, seemed about to take possession of what the storm had left. Immediate disposition of those bodies was absolutely necessary to save the living. Then it was that Lowe and McVittie and Sealy and the others, who by common impulse had come together to deal with the problem, found Hughes. The longshoreman took up the most gruesome task ever seen, except on a battlefield.
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STRIPPED OF ALL THEIR POSSESSIONS.
STRIPPED OF ALL THEIR POSSESSIONS.
At the military headquarters one of the principal officials doing temporary service for this city said: “Before the storm I had a good home and good income. I felt rich. My house is gone and my business. The fact is I don’t even own the clothes I stand before you in. I borrowed them.” Now these are not exceptional cases. They are fairly typical. They must be fed and clothed, these 25,000 people, until they can work out their temporal salvation. And then something ought to be done to help the wor
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PICTURES IN SHARP CONTRAST.
PICTURES IN SHARP CONTRAST.
Of Galveston’s population of 38,000 it is estimated that 8000 were killed. The area of total destruction was about 1300 acres. There were 5000 dwellings, hotels, churches and convents utterly destroyed. More than 2000 bodies have been burned. The property loss is not less than $15,000,000. One hundred and twenty-five men, most of them negroes, were shot to death for robbing the dead. “Decimation” is the word often employed to emphasize destruction of life. Galveston was “decimated” twice over by
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SIGNS OF RESTORATION EVERYWHERE.
SIGNS OF RESTORATION EVERYWHERE.
The women of Galveston are working as never before. Wherever one goes carpets and clothing and mattresses and rugs are hung on fences and galleries. The scrubbing-brushes are going. A smell of carbolic acid is in the air. The housekeepers are bustling in and out. Every residence that can be called habitable is undergoing renovation most thoroughly. The sound of the hammer is heard everywhere. Amateur carpenters are patching and strengthening homes which, in the better spirit that prevails, they
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SAVING VAST GRAIN STORES.
SAVING VAST GRAIN STORES.
If any one had predicted on Sunday or Monday that on Friday and Saturday Galveston would be doing business at the old stand, he would have been laughed to scorn. What the grain men are planning very fairly tells the story. It applies to all lines of business. The storm caught 2,500,000 bushels of wheat in cars and elevators. Superstructures of the elevators were carried away, and in other ways the immense buildings were somewhat damaged. These indefatigable people six days later are perfecting t
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TERRIBLE EXPERIENCES OF A YOUNG GIRL.
TERRIBLE EXPERIENCES OF A YOUNG GIRL.
Miss Maud Hall, who was spending her school vacation in Galveston, and who passed through the storm, has written of her experience to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Emory Hall, of Dallas. Miss Hall was in the house where she was boarding at the time the storm came. She says: “The wind and rain rose to a furious whirlwind, and all the time the water crept higher and higher. We all crowded into the hall, and the house, a big two-story one, rocked like a cradle. About 6 o’clock the roof was gone, all th
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HOPING FOR THE BEST.
HOPING FOR THE BEST.
Says an eye-witness of the terrible scene: “What a contrast! Last Sunday, gloom, desolation and black despair prevailed. This storm-tossed city was filled with desolation. The sorrow of the survivors for the dead was unspeakable, the destruction of property indescribable, the people were palsied, and in the gloom of devastation and death there was no silver lining to the pall that darkly overshadowed them. To-day hope and determination buoy up the people. “They realize that the task before them
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EXTORTION A RARE EXCEPTION.
EXTORTION A RARE EXCEPTION.
“Extortion is a rare exception, although the supply of food at hotels and restaurants is limited. This will be overcome in a few days, since all the railways terminating here have united upon one bridge and are pushing the work night and day with a large force reconstructing it, while their tracks are being restored on the island and mainland by large forces, which it is confidently asserted will give this stricken city rail communication by Wednesday next. “If this is done it will relieve the e
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SOUTHERN PACIFIC AT GALVESTON TO STAY.
SOUTHERN PACIFIC AT GALVESTON TO STAY.
“Galveston, September 16.—The news which was printed here this morning in the shape of a personal telegram from Vice-President Huntington, of the Southern Pacific, that that road is not to abandon Galveston, has created intense satisfaction, and has materially accelerated the movement for the speedy reconstruction of the city. “Mr. Huntington’s telegram was to Mr. A. H. Belo, of the Galveston and Dallas News, and read: ‘I see it reported that we are to abandon our work at Galveston. Nothing is f
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ENCROACHMENTS OF THE SEA.
ENCROACHMENTS OF THE SEA.
“The residents of Galveston are plucky in the extreme in their determination to rebuild and make Galveston a greater and better city than it has ever been before, but in one direction, at least, they have suffered a loss that is beyond repair, and that lies in the extent of the territory wrested from them by the storm. The waters of the Gulf now cover about 5,300,000 square feet of ground that was formerly a part of Galveston. This loss has been suffered entirely on the south side of the city, w
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A MORE HOPEFUL FEELING.
A MORE HOPEFUL FEELING.
“A more hopeful feeling is observable everywhere here, and the situation is brightening rapidly. The State Health Officer, Dr. Blunt, believes that there is now no danger of an epidemic. The city Board of Health held a meeting yesterday and adopted a resolution voicing the same views. Emergency hospitals have been established in every ward for the treatment of the sick and wounded. “The Ursuline Convent has been converted into a great general hospital for the reception and care of patients who a
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RAILROAD CAPITAL TO BE EMPLOYED.
RAILROAD CAPITAL TO BE EMPLOYED.
“Dispatches quoting Eastern financiers on the future of Galveston are read with much interest. The idea, however, that the status of the city will be changed finds no local adherents. The various railroads entering here have determined to assist the citizens of Galveston to the full extent of their ability in rebuilding the city. Colonel L. J. Polk of the Santa Fe has received a very enthusiastic and encouraging message from the headquarters of the road, declaring confidence in Galveston, urging
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MEDICAL COLLEGE SHATTERED.
MEDICAL COLLEGE SHATTERED.
“Colonel Prather, President of the Board of Regents of the Medical College here, and Colonel Breckinridge, a member of the Board, were among the late arrivals yesterday. They met General McKibben, and were driven to the institution. They found the building in a badly shattered condition, but on their return it was announced that the college would be immediately reconstructed by private beneficence if the State was unable to bear the cost. “Large gangs have been at work in the business district,
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GALVESTON’S DISTRESSING APPEAL RENEWED.
GALVESTON’S DISTRESSING APPEAL RENEWED.
Austin, Tex., September 15.—Governor Sayers last night received the following official report from Mayor Jones, of Galveston, as to conditions there: “Hon. Joseph D. Sayers, Governor: After the fullest possible investigation here we feel justified in saying to you, and through you to the American people, that no such disaster has overtaken any community or section in the history of our country. The loss of life is appalling, and can never be accurately determined. It is estimated at 5000 to 8000
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GREAT ANXIETY FOR FRIENDS.
GREAT ANXIETY FOR FRIENDS.
Memphis, Tenn., September 15.—The following telegram from Mayor Jones, of Galveston, was received here to-day: “To the Associated Press, Memphis, Tenn.: I am in receipt of thousands of telegrams offering assistance and inquiring about absent friends and relatives. All of these have been promptly answered, but restricted communication has probably served to cause delay in transmission and delivery. The telegraphic companies are doing all in their power to restore prompt communication with the out
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DISTRESS AT ALVIN.
DISTRESS AT ALVIN.
Houston, Texas, September 15.—The following statement and appeal came from R. W. King, of Alvin, Texas: “I arrived in Alvin from Dallas, and was astonished and bewildered by the sight of devastation on every side. Ninety-five per cent. of the houses in this vicinity are in ruins, leaving 6,000 people absolutely destitute. Everything in the way of crops is destroyed, and unless there is speedy relief there will be exceedingly great suffering. “The people need and must have assistance. Need money
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OLD AND YOUNG CRUSHED TOGETHER.
OLD AND YOUNG CRUSHED TOGETHER.
“Old and young crushed by the falling timbers, were one by one dragged from debris six to twenty feet deep. Aged fathers were clinging to more robust forms; children clutching to mother’s skirts, young girls with their arms around brothers, mothers clasping babes to their bosoms. These were the melancholy sights seen by those digging among the ruins. In dozens and scores the bodies were turned up by pick and shovel, rake and axe. Away to the left the wreckage stretched two miles to Seventh stree
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GREAT EXODUS OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
GREAT EXODUS OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
“Women and children are leaving in large numbers. They include all classes and conditions. In groups and sometimes in long lines they pass down Tremont street on the way to the boat bound for Texas City. Many are going never to return, poorly and scantily clad, with handkerchiefs for hats, and all their worldly goods stuffed into pillow-cases. “The man who has no property or relatives in Galveston is leaving for good. The future of Galveston depends upon whether or not the town can retain its sh
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BRIDGE AND TRAIN IN SIX DAYS.
BRIDGE AND TRAIN IN SIX DAYS.
“The various railroads entering the city are determined to assist to the full extent of their ability in rebuilding the city. Colonel L. J. Polk, of the Santa Fe, has received a very encouraging message from the headquarters of his road, declaring confidence in Galveston, and urging the business community to push forward the work of reconstruction. Colonel Polk said in an interview: “The railroad interests have decided to combine their forces in order to rebuild as quickly as possible a bridge f
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BANKS ASK MILLION DOLLAR LOAN.
BANKS ASK MILLION DOLLAR LOAN.
“The cashier of the Island City Bank left the city last night for Houston. He carried with him a petition from the Associated Galveston Banks begging the Houston bankers to advance them $1,000,000. By an agreement made among the Galveston banks, no check for more than $25 is now honored. It is impossible for nine out of ten Galveston merchants to meet any promissory notes that are about to fall due, and if assistance is not obtained the merchants, as well as the banks, must go down. “Every time
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FACING THE FIERCE BLASTS OF THE STORM.
FACING THE FIERCE BLASTS OF THE STORM.
“Then it was all that the crew of one officer and seven men could do to pull the boat against the fierce blasts of the cyclone. By working all Saturday afternoon and evening and up to one o’clock Sunday morning the brave boys succeeded in rescuing thirty-four men, women and children, whom they put in a place of safety and provided with enough provisions for their immediate needs. Finally, on account of the darkness, the increasing violence of the storm and the vast amount of wreckage in the stre
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RESTORATION OF PUBLIC WORKS.
RESTORATION OF PUBLIC WORKS.
The Board is instructed to make a careful examination of the jetties and fortifications of Galveston and to report to the Chief of Engineers what action is necessary for the repair and restoration of the fortifications and harbor works. Acting Secretary of War Meiklejohn has received a telegram from Mayor Jones, of Galveston, saying: “The people of the city of Galveston desire to return to you their heartfelt thanks for your assistance in their hour of trouble and affliction.” A despatch also wa
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WHOLE FAMILIES LOST.
WHOLE FAMILIES LOST.
“Austin, Texas, Saturday.—Imagine, if you can, fifty thousand persons, many of them without clothing, all of them in immediate need of food and drink; motherless and fatherless children, men who have lost their families,—men, women and children all dazed from one of the greatest calamities of the time, and you can have some slight idea of the conditions existing at Galveston and all over the country along the Gulf contiguous to the storm centre of last Saturday and Sunday. “The most harrowing re
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VAST AMOUNT OF WORK TO BE DONE.
VAST AMOUNT OF WORK TO BE DONE.
“The Relief Committee reported to the Governor that the city authorities would prefer that the city remain under the command of State Adjutant-General Scurry for the time being at least; that he not only be allowed to superintend the patrolling of the city, but that he be placed in charge of the sanitary work as well, and that he be allowed to hire 2000 laborers from other portions of the State, as the laborers in Galveston had their own homes to look after. “Governor Sayers will not only secure
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FRANTIC PEOPLE HUNTING RELATIVES.
FRANTIC PEOPLE HUNTING RELATIVES.
All along the beach for about four blocks back scarcely a residence was left. The beach district was shorn of habitations. Back of that houses and timbers piled up, crushing other buildings which lay in their path. Men and women walked through the slimy mud that overspread the streets, homeless. Men and women rushed around frantic, hunting their relatives. Dead and wounded men, women and children lay around waiting the coming of the volunteer corps organized to remove the bodies to improvised mo
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THE HOTEL FLOODED.
THE HOTEL FLOODED.
“After arriving at Galveston I immediately went to the Tremont Hotel, where I remained the balance of the day and during the night. At 5.30 the water had begun to creep into the rotunda of the hotel, and by 8 o’clock it was twenty-six inches above the floor of the hotel, or about six and one-half feet above the street level. The front windows of the hotel were blown in between the hours of 5 and 8. The roof was blown off and the skylights over the rotunda fell in and fell through, crashing on th
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STREET SIGHTS WERE APPALLING.
STREET SIGHTS WERE APPALLING.
“I arose early Sunday morning. The sights in the streets were simply appalling. The water on Tremont street had lowered some eight feet from the high water mark, leaving the pavement clear from two blocks north and six or seven blocks south of the Tremont Hotel. The streets were full of debris, the wires were all down and the buildings were in a very much damaged condition. Every building in the business district was damaged to some extent but with one or two exceptions, and those, the Levy Buil
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FRIGHTFUL CONFUSION EVERYWHERE.
FRIGHTFUL CONFUSION EVERYWHERE.
“I tried to get out of the town as quick as I could, and succeeded in securing passage on the first sloop which sailed, which happened to be the ‘Annie Jane,’ Captain Thomas Willoughby, who afterward proved to be an excellent sailor. We sailed from the Twenty-second street slip at 11 o’clock, with seven souls aboard. When we got outside the harbor we found it was blowing a terrific gale and the sea running very high. Under three reefs and the peak down we set our course for North Galveston. As w
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LIVES SAVED BY FLIGHT.
LIVES SAVED BY FLIGHT.
Barometer readings of this tropical terror had not been taken since it left Havana and Key West, for the reason that it was travelling across the gulf and after barometer readings could have been taken nearer Galveston and reported here communication was shut off. But the weather bureau knew the worst was not over, and so perhaps thousands along the beach had warning and sought safety in the center of the island before the storm broke here in its fury. This partly accounts for so many people who
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FOUND IT WAS THE FOOT OF HIS BABY.
FOUND IT WAS THE FOOT OF HIS BABY.
Dr. Cline, holding to his wife, prepared for death, but throwing his left hand above his head, felt something strike his hand. He grabbed the object and it proved to be one foot of his baby that had been knocked from his grasp when the roof fell in. The water had driven her little body to the surface through an opening, which, although in an almost dying condition, he realized. By some means—he doesn’t know how—he was released from the timbers that held him down, and he, too, was sent up by the
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ONE LONE HOUSE STANDING.
ONE LONE HOUSE STANDING.
“We were caught in Houston in the storm, and Sunday morning as soon as the storm abated we resolved to get to our families and friends in Galveston, if such a thing was possible. A party of twelve of us left Houston on a Southern Pacific train. We got as far as Seabrook and there we found everything washed away, and dead bodies here and there. One lone house was standing. Clear Creek bridge had been washed away and the railroad track was turned over. We went back to Houston and waited there till
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GATHERING UP THE DEAD.
GATHERING UP THE DEAD.
“Monday, as soon as it was light enough to see, we started out looking for skiffs—something to take us to Galveston. We did not find a skiff, all had been stove in. At last we found a negro who had a boat. He had been crippled. Three of us, Miss Beach among the number, took passage on his boat, and I took charge of it. The remainder of our party stayed at Virginia Point until the arrival of a sailboat and brought a relief party to Galveston from Houston. A relief train had arrived, from Houston,
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CLUNG TO THEIR PROPERTY.
CLUNG TO THEIR PROPERTY.
“Several places they extended rescue and the people declined to go expressing the belief that their peril was not so great, and preferring to remain with their property. Sometimes they would make the second trip to such places and sometimes the occupants would be saved and in other instances they had tarried too long. Their plan was to carry people into places where they could wade out and leave them, going back to bring others to shallow water and on the return again carrying them further in. “
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TREETOPS INTERRUPTED PROGRESS OF TRAINS.
TREETOPS INTERRUPTED PROGRESS OF TRAINS.
“At Thompson,” said Prof. Mally, “the train crew stopped to water and cool off a hot box, and by the time we started again the wind was blowing a gale. There is no wagon road along the windward side of the right of way from Thompson to Duke or Clear Lake. The result was that as we passed along we were kept in constant suspense of disaster by the treetops, which were being bent over so as to rasp the windows as the train passed on. “At several places we had to stop and cut off the tops of all tre
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A TOWN IN RUINS.
A TOWN IN RUINS.
“At Manvel, the next station, the ruin seemed even worse. The depot had been completely demolished and was laying across the track. Not a house standing in good condition. We came down farther within three miles of Alvin and found the track washed out. The agent from Alvin and the section boss met us and stated that Alvin was in ruins and some killed. Not being able to get through, we backed up the road, hoping to reach Eichenberg. “The sight of seeing men, women and children wading waist deep i
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WHOLE FAMILY SAVED BY TRAINMEN.
WHOLE FAMILY SAVED BY TRAINMEN.
“Soon after a third house, 200 feet away, was blown to pieces and a man, wife and three children saved from the wreckage by those on the train. We reached the timbered section and were soon blocked by the wreckage of fallen trees across the track. Everyone who could wield an axe got one, set to work diligently to cut our way through. At the same time a large crew was working from Rosenberg down toward us. From Thompson to Duke large pecan, elm, oak and pine trees were encountered on an average e
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TERRIBLE TALES OF VANDALISM.
TERRIBLE TALES OF VANDALISM.
Passengers who arrived at Dallas told terrible tales of the work of the vandals in that city. According to them, men inflamed with liquor were roaming among the wreckage over the city rifling the hundreds of bodies of even the clothing and leaving them to fester in the semi-tropical sun. Much of this horrible depredating, it is claimed, is being done by negroes, who will not work and cannot be made to leave town. This was before the saloons were closed. Among those who arrived from Galveston was
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FLOATING BODIES IN THE BAY.
FLOATING BODIES IN THE BAY.
“As to the loss of life in Galveston, I can’t figure it. We counted ninety-three floating bodies on our way from the wharf to Texas City. The prairies across the bay this side of Galveston are covered with piles of cotton and wreckage of all descriptions—dead bodies and the like. “I got to Galveston at 10 o’clock Saturday morning. My wife and I took a car and started to the beach. The water was rather high and we thought we would have a jolly good time splashing around. When we got within five b
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MAKING A HURRIED ESCAPE.
MAKING A HURRIED ESCAPE.
“Monday at noon we left the wharf on the sailboat ‘Lake Austin’ in company with five others. We paid $100 for passage to Texas City. The names of those in the party were, J. A. Kemp, of Wichita Falls; Henry Sayles, of Abilene; A. W. Boyd, of Houston; W. A. Frazer, of Dallas, and myself and my wife. Mrs. Griswold was the first woman to leave the island after the disaster. We landed at Texas City at 2.30, caught the Texas Terminal Railway to a junction with the Galveston, Houston and Henderson. Fr
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ENTIRE FAMILIES LOST.
ENTIRE FAMILIES LOST.
“The brother of John Paul Jones, the general agent of our road, lost his entire family. Will Labatt, assistant ticket agent of the Santa Fe, lost his entire family, with the exception of his wife, who is visiting in the North. He turned up Sunday morning at 6 o’clock more dead than alive and covered with bruises and cuts. “John Paul Jones, the general agent of the Santa Fe, succeeded in saving his family. His wife was very sick, but he saved her by swimming across the street with his child on hi
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THE CRIES OF THE DYING.
THE CRIES OF THE DYING.
“The depot was badly damaged, but no lives were lost there, although bodies were floating in every direction and the cries from the dying could be heard almost constantly. When daybreak came Sunday morning the sights presented were something terrible. It was hardly possible to walk along the streets without tumbling over dead bodies, and the only thing, in my estimation, that saved the city from being completely wiped out was the fact that the wind blew from the bay during the first part of the
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WHITE MEN AND NEGROES PLUNDER TOGETHER.
WHITE MEN AND NEGROES PLUNDER TOGETHER.
“They are not alone in this, but I am sorry to say that white men are side by side with them in their damnable work. Women could be seen on the first morning after the flood with baskets over their arms taking everything they could possibly pick up, without regard to whom it belonged to or what its value might be. What the city needs most, in my estimation, is pure water, food and able-bodied men who are willing to work, so the bodies can be removed from the wreckage and carried from the island
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NAMES OF DEAD WILL NEVER BE KNOWN.
NAMES OF DEAD WILL NEVER BE KNOWN.
“The outline of the terrible disaster is now known over the United States, and even farther. The details are wanting; no list of names approaching completeness can be had for weeks, and it is almost sure that a complete list will never be found. As time wears along the names of different persons will be recalled by those who were neighbors, and they will be set down on the death roll that will be made up; but where neighbors do not know neighbors, the names will never be called, and the identity
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MISSING ONES SWELL DEATH LIST.
MISSING ONES SWELL DEATH LIST.
A newspaper writer who got through from Galveston, made the following statement: “The condition at Galveston is heartrending in the extreme for the injured, and it grows worse momentarily. The list of the dead will not be fully known for weeks; the list of the missing will swell rapidly as soon as the people have begun to report their losses to the authorities, and gradually this list of missing will change into the list of dead as the bodies are recovered from the ruins in the city or are picke
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WATERS CREPT HIGHER AND HIGHER.
WATERS CREPT HIGHER AND HIGHER.
As the hours rolled on the wind gained in velocity and the waters crept higher and higher. The wind changed from the north to the northeast and the water came in from the bay, filling the streets and running like a millrace. Still the great danger was not realized. Men attempted to reach home in carriages, wagons, boats, or any way possible. Others went out in the storm for a lark. As the time wore on the water increased in depth and the wind tore more madly over the island. Men who had delayed
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TREMENDOUS FURY OF THE GALE.
TREMENDOUS FURY OF THE GALE.
The maximum velocity of the wind will never be known. The gauge at the Weather Bureau registered 100 miles an hour and blew away at 5.10 o’clock, but the storm at that hour was as nothing when compared with what followed, and the maximum velocity must have been as great as 120 miles an hour. The most intense and anxious time was between 8.30 and 9 o’clock, with raging seas rolling around them, with a wind so terrific that none could hope to escape its fury, with roofs beginning to roll away and
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TOO MANY ON THE COMMITTEE.
TOO MANY ON THE COMMITTEE.
Relief committees from the interior of the State have commenced to arrive, and, as usual, they are much too large in numbers, and to a certain extent are in the way of the people of Galveston, and an impediment to the prompt relief which they themselves are so desirous of offering. Several of the relief expeditions have had committees large enough to consume 10 per cent. of the provisions which they brought. The relief sent here from Beaumont, Tex., arrived this morning and was distributed as fa
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SOLDIERS HAVE MIRACULOUS ESCAPE.
SOLDIERS HAVE MIRACULOUS ESCAPE.
The loss of life among the soldiers of the regular army stationed in the barracks on the beach proves to have been largely overestimated. The original report was that but fifteen out of the total number in the barracks on the beach had been saved. Last night and to-day they turned up singly and in squads, and at present there are but twenty-seven missing, whereas the first estimate of casualties in this direction alone was nearly two hundred. It is probable that some of the twenty-seven will ans
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SIGHT-SEERS BARRED OUT.
SIGHT-SEERS BARRED OUT.
Every effort is being made to induce people to leave Galveston, and it is extremely difficult for anyone, no matter what his business, unless he is in direct charge of a relief train, to gain admittance to the place. Hundreds of people left Houston to-day for Galveston, but could get no further than Texas City, which is on the north side of Galveston Bay, and there they were compelled to remain until the train brought them back to Houston. No persuasion, no sum of money, would induce the guard t
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BOYS RESCUE FORTY PEOPLE.
BOYS RESCUE FORTY PEOPLE.
During the storm Saturday night, the Boddinker boys, with the aid of a hunting skiff, rescued over forty people and took them to the University building, where they found shelter from the wind and waves. The little skiff was pushed by hand, the boys not being able to use oars or sticks in propelling it, and is to be set aside in the University as a relic of the flood. Many stories of heroism are coming out. People tell of getting out of their houses just before the roof fell in on them. They tel
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TWISTED INTO ALL SORTS OF SHAPES.
TWISTED INTO ALL SORTS OF SHAPES.
They were carried around and twisted into such shapes that they can not be occupied again although they can be entered and the sodden furniture and bedclothing removed. This applies to buildings that are still standing. As stated, there is a vast territory of blocks in width on which there is not a vestige of a house standing, these having been blown down and carried away with the other debris. Dr. J. T. Fry, who has been an observer of the weather for years, has a theory that the storm which vi
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AWFUL NIGHT IN THE LIGHTHOUSE.
AWFUL NIGHT IN THE LIGHTHOUSE.
In the Bolivar lighthouse, which stands 130 feet high on Bolivar Point, across the bay from Galveston, some one hundred and twenty-five people sought refuge from the storm on Saturday evening. Many of the unfortunates had deserted their homes, which were swept by the hurricane, and other residents of Galveston, who had come to the bay shore in their frantic endeavors to reach Galveston and their families. Among the latter was County Road and Bridge Superintendent Kelso. Mr. Kelso stated to a “Ne
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GENEROUS OFFER OF HELP.
GENEROUS OFFER OF HELP.
Prof. Buckner, of the Buckner Orphans’ Home of Dallas, arrived in the city and made his way at once to the gentlemen in charge of the relief work. He offered to throw the doors of his establishment wide open for the orphans of Galveston, who have been deprived of their shelter at the various asylums, and announced that he was ready to care for about 100 to 150 of the children. His offer was taken under consideration for advisement at a meeting to be held of the managers of the homes. The officia
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VIVID DESCRIPTION OF THE CALAMITY.
VIVID DESCRIPTION OF THE CALAMITY.
Hon. Jeff McLemore, of Austin, a well known journalist and ex-member of the Legislature, returned from Galveston and gave the following vivid description of the horrors: “We were five hours making the trip from the mainland, and it was not until 7 o’clock Monday evening that we reached the wharf. When within two miles of the city we discovered a number of human bodies floating in the bay, and as the boat passed each it caused a shudder of horror among the living. Soon after the sun went down the
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GHOSTLY SCENES OF NIGHT.
GHOSTLY SCENES OF NIGHT.
“As we made our way to the hotel, a thing we did with difficulty, because of the wreckage that covered the streets, we saw only desolation and ruin on every hand. The pale of the moon added weirdness to the chaos and look where we might there was nothing to gladden the searching eye. We passed several small groups of men who spoke in whispers and those we addressed looked at us strangely and wondered what we came for. “At last the hotel was reached and here most of us found friends and acquainta
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HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE CARRIED OUT TO SEA.
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE CARRIED OUT TO SEA.
“The loss of life at Galveston will never be known. The storm came first from the northwest and hundreds, perhaps thousands, were carried far out to sea never more to return. At 10 o’clock at night the wind suddenly veered to the southeast and hundreds more were swept into the bay and caught by the current and also carried out to the sea before daylight Sunday morning. That is the opinion of old seamen with whom I conversed, and if they do not know the actions of the ocean, then no one does. “Mo
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HUMAN VULTURES PILFERING AND LOOTING.
HUMAN VULTURES PILFERING AND LOOTING.
“Tuesday morning I passed a partially wrecked home, in the door of which stood a young face and snow-white hair. “‘Saturday morning,’ said the man who accompanied me, ‘that woman’s hair was dark brown; Sunday morning it had turned to snow.’ I did not doubt him, for he told me of the woman’s experience and how she had been saved as if by a miracle. “But the woeful part of the terrible disaster has not yet been told. Hundreds of human vultures, almost before the storm had abated, began the work of
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BURYING THE VICTIMS IN TRENCHES.
BURYING THE VICTIMS IN TRENCHES.
Four days after the disaster the following account was an accurate picture of the condition of Galveston: This evening the committees in charge of clearing up the city, caring for the destitute and arranging for transportation feel much encouraged. Something like order has been brought out of chaos. There is organized effort and the day’s work has been big. It was impossible to handle the dead bodies of human beings or the carcasses of animals to get them to sea, because of putrefaction. Hundred
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VISITORS DO NOBLE WORK.
VISITORS DO NOBLE WORK.
In addition to the arrangements made for handling people from here to Texas City and thence via the Galveston, Houston and Henderson Railroad to Houston, the prospect is that the Southern Pacific will be ready for passengers within the next few days. Mr. W. S. Keenan, general passenger agent of the Santa Fe, said this evening that he expected that their track would be completed to both ends of the bridges by to-morrow evening. The company has chartered three boats and will take passengers by tra
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DEAD ANIMALS CARRIED ACROSS THE BAY.
DEAD ANIMALS CARRIED ACROSS THE BAY.
The fish were given away by the thousands to all who came for them. Animals are being dumped into the bay, which go out with the tide and coming ashore by the hundreds at Bolivar peninsula. Parties started to bury them, but the few people on the peninsula found it impossible. They came to the city to implore the authorities to send men there to bury these animals and to quit throwing them into the bay. The dumping into the bay had already been stopped, as there was little wind and the carcasses
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SCHOOL BUILDING CARRIED A BLOCK AWAY.
SCHOOL BUILDING CARRIED A BLOCK AWAY.
The tower of the Rosenberg school fell in and killed about eleven people during the height of the storm. It was a place of refuge for all the people driven from their homes by the high water and terrific winds. The parochial school situated on the corner of Eleventh and Sealy avenue, was taken from its foundations and carried by wind and water a full block to Twelfth street and Sealy avenue, landing on the north side of the street, whereas it was located on the south side previously. This stands
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GREAT WRECK OF ST. MARY’S INFIRMARY.
GREAT WRECK OF ST. MARY’S INFIRMARY.
The next greatest wreck is the St. Mary’s Infirmary on Market and Eighth streets. Practically everything there is gone but the new part, which was completed about two years ago. This is badly damaged, but is being used. It does not cover more than a quarter of the floor space of the entire building when intact. This is used to support injured and is the place of refuge. Sealy Hospital, between Ninth and Tenth streets, escaped serious injury, beyond damage to the roof. The colored school, on the
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HOUSES PLACED BACK TO BACK.
HOUSES PLACED BACK TO BACK.
The great bulk of this debris is unbroken and sides and roofs of houses still intact, and the vast amount of loose boards can be used for rebuilding, so that there will be lessened cost in that direction. In some places whole houses have been moved from their foundations and carried around back of others, thus forming a barrier which caught the floating debris and prevented the whole north side of town being swept from Gulf to bay and carried into the bay. The roof of the elevator is gone and th
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HORRIBLE BEYOND DESCRIPTION.
HORRIBLE BEYOND DESCRIPTION.
“Wagons have been passing all day piled full of dead bodies. Many of them will never be identified, and they are now taking them right to the Gulf for burial. This seems terrible, but it must be done, as it is impossible to bury them on the island. Hundreds of bodies are floating in the bay and outskirts of what was once the city. I cannot describe how horrible it is. I have been over most of the city since Sunday morning and know exactly how everything is situated. From the beach for at least f
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THROWN TOGETHER IN UTTER CONFUSION.
THROWN TOGETHER IN UTTER CONFUSION.
“I have seen tracks of many cyclones, but never have I seen the path of one that held the misery, the suffering and the general destruction that were occasioned by this hurricane, assisted by the sea. “Furniture, household articles, pianos (complete and in part) and the carcasses of every kind of domestic animal were to be found in chaos. Even from the mainland could be seen the dire effects of the storm on the seaport of Texas—jagged walls, broken smokestacks, tin roofs suspended from their pro
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A ST. LOUIS MAN STORMBOUND.
A ST. LOUIS MAN STORMBOUND.
George MacLaine, of St. Louis, arrived at Dallas from Galveston, where he spent the time from Friday until Tuesday. “I was intending to leave on the 1.50 train Saturday afternoon,” he said, “but I could not get away on account of the storm, the water having risen to such an extent that it could not cross the bridge. “My experience was pretty much the same as a large number of others have given. During the storm I was in a building located at the corner of Twenty-fifth and Market streets, two or
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DRUNKEN REVELRY IN THE STREETS.
DRUNKEN REVELRY IN THE STREETS.
“On Sunday morning, immediately after the storm and as soon as daylight appeared, the scene on the streets was one I shall never forget. There were drunken women, almost nude, with their male companions, also under the influence of liquor, parading the streets and laughing and singing as if returning from a prolonged spree. There were some of the best citizens of Galveston hurrying to and fro, asking this one and that one if they had heard anything of their sisters, wives or some other member of
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CURSED FOR INTERFERENCE.
CURSED FOR INTERFERENCE.
“She called upon the darkey to give up the article, but she declined to do so, taking the position that in such times it was anybody’s property. Fortunately for the rightful owner a gentleman friend happened to come along during the controversy, and, hearing the nature of it, forcibly took the basket from the woman, who was even then bold enough to stand cursing the man for his interference. I did not see any parties mutilating or robbing the dead, but I met several others in Galveston who had.
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STORM OF INDESCRIBABLE FURY.
STORM OF INDESCRIBABLE FURY.
Rudolph Daniels, Assistant General Passenger Agent of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway, was in Galveston during the storm, and returned to Dallas on the 12th. Mr. Daniels said: “I can only give you my experience and what I saw. The storm was indescribable in its fury, and it was hard to realize the extent of the devastation and destruction even when on the scene. It does not seem real or possible. “I was in a restaurant near the Tremont Hotel when the storm broke. It began blowing a gale a
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WINDOWS BROKEN AND ROOMS FLOODED.
WINDOWS BROKEN AND ROOMS FLOODED.
“The wind reached its strongest about 6 o’clock. Then the water was in the rotunda of the hotel. Part of the skylight had blown off and the rain was pouring in. Many of the windows were broken by flying pieces of debris and the rooms were flooded. My room was among those flooded. Joe Morrow had a room that was dry, and he and Harry Archer and myself crowded into it. Morrow got four inches of candle somewhere, and we had half a dozen dry matches. We burned the candle from time to time during the
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HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE STREWN FOR MILES.
HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE STREWN FOR MILES.
“No words can express the scenes of death and desolation. Nothing can be said that will convey the full meaning. I went over to Galveston in a schooner and came away as soon as possible. What they need there is not people, but ice, water and supplies. All along the shore of the bay for twelve miles inland are strewn pianos, sofas, chairs, tables, paving blocks and all sorts of broken lumber and debris from Galveston. “General Scurry detailed my party to bury the dead on a stretch of beach about
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ARRESTED FOR ROBBING THE DEAD.
ARRESTED FOR ROBBING THE DEAD.
“General McKibben had just arrived when I was there and martial law reigned. I was told that seventy ghouls had been arrested for robbing bodies and that they would be court-martialed and shot. The tramp steamer Kendal Castle is lying high and dry 200 feet from the water’s edge. She is standing on an even keel, just as though she was at sea. General Scurry wanted a boat to go across to Galveston and informed the captain he was under martial law and his boats would be required. The boats were sen
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CHILDREN CRYING AND WOMEN PRAYING.
CHILDREN CRYING AND WOMEN PRAYING.
“About 4 o’clock the people who were able to get conveyances began to come in from the residence districts. The hotel did not serve any supper. From 6 to 10 o’clock was the worst of the storm, and during that time there was about 1200 people in the house. We were just as nearly like rats in a wire cage as anything could be. At 10 o’clock the water was four feet deep in the office, and it was certain death to go out doors. We were in pitch darkness all the time, although some one had secured one
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STRONG MAN FAINTS.
STRONG MAN FAINTS.
“Early Sunday morning Jack Frost, of this city, walked into the Tremont Hotel, nearly naked and broken and bruised from head to foot. He fainted and was carried to a room and a doctor sent for. The doctors said that the bones of his right hand were broken, one clavicle broken and his left shoulder dislocated, besides being horribly bruised and mangled. Several inquiries from the doctors elicited the information that it was a close question of life and death when I left. He was caught at Murdock’
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CAST UP BY THE HEAVY WAVES.
CAST UP BY THE HEAVY WAVES.
Officers Williams and Curly Smith stated that the body of a woman that had been buried at sea on the east end was washed ashore on the beach near the foot of Tremont street. Attached to the body was a large rock weighing about 200 pounds. The body was carried to a place back from the water’s edge and placed in a grave. While working with a gang of men clearing the wreckage of a large number of houses on Avenue O and Centre street to-day Mr. John Vincent found a live prairie dog locked in a drawe
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WIND A HUNDRED MILES AN HOUR.
WIND A HUNDRED MILES AN HOUR.
The strongest wind blew later in the evening, when it shifted to the southeast and attained a velocity of from 110 to 120 miles an hour. The exact velocity was not recorded, owing to the destruction of the wind gauge of the United States Weather Bureau after it had registered a 100–miles-an-hour blow for two minutes. This terrific southeast wind blew the sea of debris inland and piled it up in a hill ranging from ten to twenty feet high and marking the line of the storm’s path along the southeas
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NO VESTIGE LEFT OF BUILDINGS.
NO VESTIGE LEFT OF BUILDINGS.
A few of the piles that once supported the street-railway trestle extending from Centre street to Tremont street on the beach are all that remains to mark the curved line of right-of-way. Not a vestige of the three large bath-houses of Keef’s Pagoda and Murdock is to be seen. The Midway, with its many old shacks and frame houses, concert halls and other resorts, was swept to the sea, and the Gulf now plays twenty feet north of where the Midway marked the beach line. The Olympia-by-the Sea likewi
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TO HASTEN ONE BRIDGE.
TO HASTEN ONE BRIDGE.
The indications this morning are that there will be reasonably free intercourse with the outside world within ten days at the most, although those in charge of transportation lines are rapidly finding that the storm did more damage than they had at first calculated upon. At another conference the question of utilizing one of the railroad bridges across the bay and repairing that for the use of all lines prior to the repairing of the other bridges or the building of a steel bridge was practically
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DAMAGE TO THE WHARVES.
DAMAGE TO THE WHARVES.
The wharf company did not suffer badly so far as the actual wharves are concerned, and it comes from General Manager Bailey that they will be ready to handle the business within seven or eight days. Of course a good deal of wharf flooring is torn up. The most serious damage was to the sheds, some of which are complete wrecks. Business can be done without sheds, and as long as the wharves themselves are in shape business can be done. With the rail lines established and running again, freight can
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LOSSES REPORTED EVERYWHERE.
LOSSES REPORTED EVERYWHERE.
The Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Company notified Chairman Sealy of the relief committee that there was $5000 there for its use. The Santa Fe has suffered great loss itself and is a flood sufferer of great proportions in dollars and cents. Thomas Taylor, a cotton man, on Monday bought $500 worth of men’s clothing, which he immediately distributed to the needy. The other men of means are coming forward with donations for permanent relief. The Galveston Brewing Company suffered comparatively slight
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STEAMERS TORN FROM THEIR MOORINGS.
STEAMERS TORN FROM THEIR MOORINGS.
General Agent Denison was unable to give any definite information about the movements of steamers out of Galveston. There are now three here. The Alamo is aground on the north side of the channel, having been torn from her moorings at the wharf during the storm and swept to her present position. Mr. Denison expressed the opinion that it might be possible that dredging would be necessary to relieve the steamer. The Comal arrived in port Monday and berthed at pier 26, but was unable to discharge m
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CALL FOR MILITARY GUARDS.
CALL FOR MILITARY GUARDS.
“The strictest police and sanitary discipline and vigilance will be required to prevent something of this kind, and that is where the possible necessity of a legislative appropriation may become imperative. There is practically no fund at the command of the State authorities for those purposes. If the volunteer militia is to be used to police the stricken districts, there is only a nominal sum at the disposal of the Governor and Adjutant-General. That fund would not last a week. “Besides, it is
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HOW TO MEET THE EMERGENCY.
HOW TO MEET THE EMERGENCY.
“The cost of a special session, if the necessity exists, is not to be considered, for it is insignificant compared with the inestimable cost of the failure of the State to do its duty in the premises. Besides, the expense of a called session and of an adequate appropriation would be distributed over the entire taxpaying population of the State and would be inappreciable on each taxpayer. It is an emergency in which the responsibility for a mistake makes it a very troublesome question for the Gov
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MACHINERY A COMPLETE LOSS.
MACHINERY A COMPLETE LOSS.
Major R. B. Baer, receiver of the Galveston City Street Railway, who is in this city now, says that to-day he telegraphed the Guarantee Trust Company, the owners of the property, that it would take $200,000 to $250,000 to repair the damage to the street railway. The powerhouse and machinery are a complete loss and seven miles of track is gone, as well as all of the trestle work. “After the storm and until I left Galveston yesterday I walked an average of ten miles a day,” said Major Baer, “and I
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TOO AWFUL FOR WORDS.
TOO AWFUL FOR WORDS.
“It is a stunning blow to every Texan whose heart is in the right place. It is a calamity so dread that no one can afford to stop to consider himself or his own wounds. The duty which one owes to others comes first. Many are too far away from the scene of desolation and death to do anything; but they are not too far away to give something, and thus to help along the heartrending work which is now going on in Galveston and in other places along the coast. The work of uncovering bodies, of burying
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TEXAS HAS IMMENSE TERRITORY.
TEXAS HAS IMMENSE TERRITORY.
“Texas is a vast State, and this fact might make it appear that more storms or other direful visitations fell to the lot of this people than residents of other parts of the country find it necessary to endure. The fact is that many States have been visited by floods this season, and in some places floods are feared year after year. So it is of other destructive visitations. They must be expected now and then anywhere from Maine to California, or, for that matter, at any place the world around. T
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BURYING THE DEAD.
BURYING THE DEAD.
“After arriving at Texas City we had to wait two or three hours for a boat, and during the time a number of the party walked down the beach and discovered and buried the bodies of eight men, women and children. A memorandum was taken describing as well as possible the people buried, and a headboard put up with a number corresponding to the one in the book. We left Texas City at 3.30 Tuesday evening, arriving at Galveston at 9.30. “While on the way over we discovered the bodies of several people
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CITY WILL RECOVER FROM THE BLOW.
CITY WILL RECOVER FROM THE BLOW.
“If the Government and the railroads will repair and rebuild their property in Galveston the city may recover from the blow, but unless this is done there will be very slim chances for the city to attain the position as a commercial point it has heretofore held. The losses of life and accident insurance companies will be something enormous. “What the people of Galveston need most, in my opinion, is lime and workingmen, especially carpenters and tinners. The citizens are fully aware of the sympat
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GREAT GUSTS OF WIND.
GREAT GUSTS OF WIND.
“Every gust of wind seemed fiercer and more wicked than any. It was blowing in a straight line from the northeast in great, vicious gusts, as if it would tear down everything. Soon the water came into the ground floor of the depot, and we had to go to the second floor. The wind kept increasing in velocity and began to blow the windows in, tearing out frames and all and throwing them across the rooms. Men went to work and put additional braces across the large panes of glass and wedged them tight
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OLD GENTLEMAN WITH BAROMETER.
OLD GENTLEMAN WITH BAROMETER.
“There was an old gentleman in the depot who seemed to be a scientist. He had a barometer with him, and every few minutes he would examine it by the solitary lantern that lit the room, and tell us it was still falling and the worst was yet to come. It was a direful thing to say, and some of the crowd did not like it, but the instrument seemed to be reliable. About 9 o’clock the old man examined it and announced that it stood at 27.90. I give the figures for the benefit of any one who wants to kn
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ON THE BOAT ALL NIGHT.
ON THE BOAT ALL NIGHT.
T. L. Monagan, of Dallas, who went down with the Dallas relief committee, returned and said: “We got there by wagon and boat about 10 o’clock Tuesday night and remained on the boat during the night. We went over to the hotel in the morning and found relief work well organized. They need men to clean the debris out of the streets and to get the city cleaned up. They are disposing of the dead as fast as possible, and the safety of the living precludes any delay for identification. Many are being b
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HON. MORRIS SHEPPARD’S ACCOUNT.
HON. MORRIS SHEPPARD’S ACCOUNT.
Hon. Morris Sheppard, son of Congressman John L. Sheppard, returned to Texarkana from Galveston, sound and well, though a little broken up from the shock. When seen he said concerning his experience in the Galveston storm: “I had gone there to address the Woodmen Saturday night, but the weather got so bad I concluded to leave. I went to the Union Depot about 5 o’clock to catch a train that was to leave for Houston a little later. When the storm broke we all ran up stairs. There were about 100 me
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APPEAL TO COLORED PEOPLE.
APPEAL TO COLORED PEOPLE.
Professor H. C. Bell, of Denton, Grand Master of the Colored Odd Fellows, issued the following self-explanatory circular: “To the Lodges and Members of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows in Texas: Dear Brethren—The greatest calamity that has ever visited any city in America visited Galveston on the 8th instant, leaving in its wake thousands of dead and helpless people of our race, together with the white race. It is our duty to help, as far as we are able, to relieve the suffering condition o
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NEVER WEARY OF GIVING.
NEVER WEARY OF GIVING.
“Outside aid is absolutely necessary in order to prevent suffering even greater than that which accompanied the outburst of the elements. The large-hearted public is never weary of giving in cases where the necessity of giving is absolute. With the American public sympathy and pity provoke unbounded generosity. “All geographical lines, all differences are completely broken down by any emergency which stirs the tender heart of the people. But it frequently happens that this native generosity is n
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REFUSED TO BELIEVE THE TIDINGS.
REFUSED TO BELIEVE THE TIDINGS.
“The difficulty in the case of the sea island hurricane was that a large number of conservative people—the very class which may be depended on to respond most liberally to appeals in behalf of the unfortunate—refused to believe the stories sent out by the press agents and newspaper correspondents who made haste to visit the scene of disaster, placing them in the category of newspaper sensations. “The fact remains, however, that the naked details of the sea island hurricane never were put in poss
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PEOPLE DAZED INTO CALM.
PEOPLE DAZED INTO CALM.
“The story that will be told when this mountain of ruins is removed may multiply the horrors of the fearful situation. As usual in great calamities the people are dazed and speak of their losses with an unnatural calmness that would astonish those who do not understand it. “I do believe there is danger of an epidemic. But the nervous strain upon the people, as they come to realize their condition may be nearly as fatal. They talk of friends that are gone with tearless eyes, making no allusion to
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TRIED TO ESCAPE WITH HER MONEY.
TRIED TO ESCAPE WITH HER MONEY.
Mrs. Boss’ story of her experience in the disaster was a thrilling one. With her husband and son she was seated at supper in her home on Twelfth street when the storm broke. She seized a handkerchief containing $2000 from a bureau, and, placing it in her bosom, went with her husband and the son to the second story. There they remained until the water reached them and they leaped into the darkness and the storm. They lit on a wooden cistern upon which they rode the entire night, clinging with one
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A HEROIC LAD.
A HEROIC LAD.
“The gas was out in the great theatre, and a few candles shed a flickering light. A lad told this story: He lost every one on earth he loved and who loved him in the flood. He swam two miles and over with his little brother on his back, and then saw his brother killed by a piece of falling timber after they had reached dry land and what he supposed was safety. “He is sixteen years old, this boy of mine; tall and strong in every way, and when he had dug a shallow grave in the sand for his little
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HUNGRY AND HALF CLAD.
HUNGRY AND HALF CLAD.
“There was a new party of them which came in last night late from Galveston. About fifty came in after 10 o’clock, hungry, half clad and worn to the very edge of human endurance. They stood timidly at the door and one of them begged for shelter as if she thought she would be refused. Most of our cots with mattresses in them were taken, but that did not make any difference. Dr. Bloch, of Chicago, and Dr. O’Brien, of New York, got their heads together and in less than half an hour every one of tho
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CLOTHING AND PROVISIONS.
CLOTHING AND PROVISIONS.
“The Chicago corps of surgeons and nurses, under Dr. L. D. Johnson, buried thirty-two bodies between the hours of 1 A. M. and 8 A. M. to-day in Alvin, Hitchcock and Seabrook, and gave provisions, clothing and medicine to 300. Its members also attended to twenty-six persons suffering from broken bones, cuts and other wounds requiring surgical work, and nursed more than fifty. “This is considered the greatest piece of relief work done since the storm. The bodies buried had been lying in the fields
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THE YOUNGEST NURSE.
THE YOUNGEST NURSE.
“The Chicago Relief Corps has the youngest, and, considering her years, most efficient nurse among the hundreds engaged in relief work. She is Rosalea Glenn, eleven years old, a refugee from Morgan Point. Together with her mother, Mrs. Minnie F. Glenn, and two smaller children, she was received at the hospital last night. “To-day Rosalea asked to be assigned to part of one of the wards. She astonished trained nurses by her cleverness, and her services proved as valuable as those of any one on th
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MISS PIXLEY’S GRAPHIC STORY.
MISS PIXLEY’S GRAPHIC STORY.
This is her story, as she told it: “I had been in Galveston for about six weeks, visiting Miss Lulu George, who lives on Thirty-fifth street. It was not until after the noon hour of Saturday that we were frightened. Buildings had gone down as mere egg shells before that death-dealing wind. “About 1.30 o’clock I told Miss George that we must make our way to another building about half a block away. The water had risen over five feet in two hours, and as I hurried to the front door the wind tore d
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ALMOST DROWNED IN CELLAR.
ALMOST DROWNED IN CELLAR.
“The building we were trying to reach was a store and the foundation kept out the water. We hurried to the cellar and stayed there for several hours. At last the wind-swept waves found an opening and broke through the foundation and we had a mad run to escape the rushing, swirling waters. “We reached the first floor and I shrank into a corner, expecting every second to be carried out to my death. How it happened I can never tell, but this and one other building were the only ones left for blocks
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BLOOD-CHILLING SCENES.
BLOOD-CHILLING SCENES.
“Whirling by me, bodies, more than I could dare count, were crushed and mangled between a jumble of timbers and debris. Men, women and children went by, sinking, floating, dashing on I know not where. I wanted to close my eyes, but I could not. I cried aloud and made an attempt to go to my friends, but I was exhausted, and all I could do was to watch the terrible scenes. “Babies, oh, such pretty little ones, too, were carried on and on, gowned in dainty clothing, their eyes open, staring in mute
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FLEES FROM HORRIBLE SIGHTS.
FLEES FROM HORRIBLE SIGHTS.
“When I found we could get out of the city I declared I would go at all cost. I thought of home and my parents and I wanted to telegraph, just like thousands of others, that I was safe. “It was days before we could get away, however, and then it was in a most terrible confusion. Eighty-eight persons crowded on a small boat and started for Houston. “The day we left the militia was out in all its force. I could hear the sharp reports of a rifle and the wail of some soul as he paid the penalty for
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HUMAN BODIES IN FIRE HEAP.
HUMAN BODIES IN FIRE HEAP.
“As we made our way toward the boat that was to take us from the City of Death I saw great clouds of smoke rising in the air. Upon the top of flaming boards thousands of bodies were being reduced to ashes. “It was best, for the odor that arose from the dead bodies was awful. Still it made one’s heart ache with a sorrow never to be equaled as one witnessed little children tossed into the midst of the hissing flames. Do you wonder I cry? “Before me, no matter which way I turned, I could see dead b
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TRAGIC INCIDENTS.
TRAGIC INCIDENTS.
Thompson retired to his room, on the third floor of the Washington Hotel, seemingly sane. Soon afterwards he began to moan, and soon became violent, rushing from one side of his room to the other and declaring his determination to commit suicide. Employes of the hotel did all they could to pacify the man, and during the night he became more rational and lay down. The person engaged to watch him was compelled to leave the room for a short time early in the morning, and when he returned he found t
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HARROWING TALES TOLD BY SURVIVORS.
HARROWING TALES TOLD BY SURVIVORS.
Many strange incidents of the hurricane were gathered from the tales of the survivors. They told of pitiable deaths, of fearful destructions of property and of strange incidents of the great force of the storm. The following are just a few of the many that were told by refugees in this city: One of the most remarkable escapes recorded during the flood was that of a United States battery-man on duty at the forts, who had been picked up on Morgan’s Point, wounded but alive. He had buffeted the wav
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A TRAGIC WEDDING CEREMONY.
A TRAGIC WEDDING CEREMONY.
At the Tremont Hotel in Galveston a wedding occurred Thursday night, which was not attended with music and flowers and a gathering of merrymaking friends and relatives. Mrs. Brice Roberts had expected some day to marry Earnest Mayo. The storm which desolated so many homes deprived her of almost everything on earth—father, mother, sister and brother. She was left destitute. Her sweetheart, too, was a sufferer. He lost much of his possessions in Dickinson, but he stepped bravely forward and took h
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GIGANTIC DISINFECTION.
GIGANTIC DISINFECTION.
“Hundreds of women and children who are trying to get away from the city to the mainland find the task difficult. The slowness of the distracted ones is not due to tardiness or hesitation on their part. On the contrary, it is a scramble to get away, and the shattered wharves are lined with persons awaiting their turn. Transportation facilities are very meagre. There are few boats to be had. The Lawrence, a 200–ton propeller, is the only steamer carrying persons across to Texas City. “One of the
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THE SHERIFF’S WORK.
THE SHERIFF’S WORK.
“Sheriff Thomas reports that he and his posses buried and cremated thirty-eight bodies in Hurd’s lane, twenty-one bodies at Sydnor’s Bayou, and thirteen bodies in Eagle Grove. Sheriff Thomas says there are still one hundred bodies to be buried just outside the city limits, and he has no idea of how many more down the island. “Fully $1,500,000 worth of vessel property is tied up on the lowlands. There was more than this until the British steamer Mora was floated on Wednesday. There are seven ocea
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GALVESTON IN DANGER FROM FIRE.
GALVESTON IN DANGER FROM FIRE.
“A danger which Galveston faces is fire. Not a drop of rain has fallen since the hurricane, and the hot winds and blistering suns have made the wrecked houses and buildings so much tinder, piled mountain high in every direction. In nearly all parts of the city the fire hydrants are buried fifty feet, in some places a hundred feet deep under the wreckage, and as yet the water supply at best is only of the most meagre kind. “Galveston’s fire department is small and badly crippled and would be powe
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“SEEMS LIKE AN AWFUL DREAM.”
“SEEMS LIKE AN AWFUL DREAM.”
Destitute save for a few personal effects carried in a small valise, and with nerves shattered by a week of horror, Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Prutsman, with their two daughters, twelve and six years old, reached Chicago from the flood-swept district of Texas. They came direct from Galveston, via. Houston and St. Louis. During all of one afternoon the little family sat at the Rock Island station waiting for a train to take them to Putnam, Ill., where Mrs. Prutsman has relatives. When it was learned that
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WOMAN SHOT TO END HER SUFFERING.
WOMAN SHOT TO END HER SUFFERING.
“I assisted for several days in the work of rescue. In one pile of debris we found a woman who seemed to have escaped the flood, but who was injured and pinned down so she could not escape. A guard came along, and, after failing to rescue her, deliberately shot her to end her misery. “The streets present a gruesome appearance. Every available wagon and vehicle in the city is being used to transport the dead, and it is no uncommon thing to see a load of bodies ten deep. The stench in the city is
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SAW FOUR MEN SHOT IN ONE DAY.
SAW FOUR MEN SHOT IN ONE DAY.
“Everybody who remains in Galveston is made to work, and the punishment for a refusal is about the same as that meted out to ghouls. I saw four colored men shot in one day. There were confined in the hold of a steamer in the harbor, six colored men who were found by the soldiers with a flour sack almost filled with fingers and ears on which were jewels. These men probably have been publicly executed before this time. “In the work of rescue we found whole families tied together with ropes, and in
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NO DANGER OF PESTILENCE.
NO DANGER OF PESTILENCE.
Dr. A. B. Chamberlain said that Galveston would now escape epidemic in any form. He had been through two of these Gulf coast visitations, though upon a smaller scale. “We may have some mild cases of fever as the result of the shock and the exposure,” he said, “but I am confident there will be nothing serious.” This seems to be quite generally the opinion of the doctors who are not advising any wholesale exodus. They put great faith in the free use of disinfectants and in the bracing salt air whi
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DOCTORS CARING FOR THE SUFFERERS.
DOCTORS CARING FOR THE SUFFERERS.
In the advertising columns merchants seem to vie with each other in announcing, “Positively no advance in prices.” Here is an editorial leader which could hardly be found outside of a hurricane issue:— “It is important that all who are injured enough to necessitate a stitching of their wounds should have their dressings changed every twenty-four hours. Some of the wounded have neglected to do this, with a result that the doctors have more work to do than is necessary. Every doctor in town is doi
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FIRES ALL OVER THE CITY.
FIRES ALL OVER THE CITY.
“The number of dead under debris in the central parts of the city will never be known, as burning is going on all over the city. The east end, beginning at Fifteenth street and Avenue L, running on a line parallel with the island, has a great mass of wreckage piled as high as a man’s head and from that to the top of houses three stories high. “This line extends as far along as there were any houses to wreck, and consists of all manner of buildings. It is a desolate scene from Eighth street east,
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WELL-KNOWN BUILDINGS DAMAGED.
WELL-KNOWN BUILDINGS DAMAGED.
“Boysen’s mill is considerably damaged, the smokestack, some of the windows and part of the roof being gone. Across the street the bonemeal mill stands, with scarcely any north wall whatever. The Neptune Ice Company, Eighteenth street and Avenue A, is almost a total wreck. A part of the building is gone into a mass of debris while other parts remain standing. The oil mill at Eighteenth street and Strand, suffered little apparent damage except to the windows. A big blacksmith shop in Eighteenth s
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MAYOR SETS ALL AT WORK.
MAYOR SETS ALL AT WORK.
“Mayor Walter C. Jones has issued a proclamation revoking all passes heretofore issued, and placing Brigadier General Thomas Scurry in command of all forces. General Scurry has appointed Hunt McCaleb his adjutant, and only passes signed by him will be recognized. All able men without the passes will be put at work clearing the wreckage and burning and burying the dead. “At a meeting of the relief committee yesterday it was decided not to pay for labor, but time checks will be issued and paid lat
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HUGE TANK MOVED SIX BLOCKS.
HUGE TANK MOVED SIX BLOCKS.
To those acquainted with the wharf front a peculiar thing is presented near the foot of Twenty-first street. The big steel tank of the Waters-Pierce Oil Company, in which was stored during the season cotton seed oil, at the foot of Fifteenth street, was blown to Twenty-first street, a distance of six blocks. It landed on its bottom and rests now in an upright position. It is a large tank and heavy, but the elements got the better of it. This morning the streets are pretty well crowded with busin
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FEAR TO LOOK ON THE SEA.
FEAR TO LOOK ON THE SEA.
“It matters not how great the number of the dead, there are enough to shock the sympathies of the world, and they are gone forever. But we fear here to look upon the sea, lest some heartless wave shall bring to view the cold, stark form of another whom somebody lived with and loved. “The victims are still growing into larger thousands, and the bereft are still coming in to tell of losses. It is a continued story of anguish and death such as Texas has never known before and prays it shall never k
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EVERY WAVE HAS ITS TRAGEDY.
EVERY WAVE HAS ITS TRAGEDY.
“It is said that every wave of the sea has its tragedy, and it seems to be true here. In Galveston it has ceased to be an anxiety for the dead, but concern for the living. The supreme disaster, with its overwhelming tale of death and destruction, has now abated to lively anxiety for the salvation of the living. “Men are at work clearing the streets of piles of timbers and refuse. Men are beginning to realize that the living must be cared for. It is now the supreme duty. There is much work to be
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WALKING OVER CORPSES.
WALKING OVER CORPSES.
“One hundred people at present are at Virginia Point, some waiting for transportation over to Galveston, some for day to break so as to permit of the burial of corpses, of which there are many scattered up and down the beach and all over the prairie for a radius of ten miles. Others are waiting for a first chance to get as far away as possible from this terrible scene. Men who will work are very scarce. Those willing have a desire to boss, which does not facilitate matters in the least. An organ
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REFUGEES CRAZED BY THEIR SUFFERINGS.
REFUGEES CRAZED BY THEIR SUFFERINGS.
“Refugees from Galveston tell awful tales of suffering and death, and in every case that came to my notice are in such mental state that there can be no reliable facts obtained from them. The only newspaper man who has got into Galveston came out last night deathly sick, and would not stop when hailed. “Thieves have been robbing the bodies as they came ashore. One man was caught last night and will be taken to Galveston to-day. When searched, a baby’s finger was found with a ring on it. He after
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SUBSISTED ON RAW MEAT.
SUBSISTED ON RAW MEAT.
For two days they remained at the home of the hospitable farmer, and then set out afoot to find a hamlet or make their way over the desert-like peninsula to Bolivar Point. In the heat of the burning sun they plodded on along the water front, subsisting upon a steer which they killed and devoured raw, until finally they came upon an abandoned and overturned sailboat high on the beach. With a united effort they succeeded in launching the boat, and with improvised distress signals displayed, manage
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ALL HAD LOST LOVED ONES.
ALL HAD LOST LOVED ONES.
“The man in front of me on the car had floated all Monday night with his wife and mother on a part of the roof of his little home. He told me that he kissed his wife good-bye at midnight and told her that he could not hold on any longer; but he did hold on, dazed and half-conscious, until the day broke and showed him that he was alone on his piece of driftwood. He did not even know when the woman that he loved had died. “Every man on the train—there were no women there—had lost some one that he
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HAD TO BURN BODIES OF THOUSANDS.
HAD TO BURN BODIES OF THOUSANDS.
“That’s right,” said the Marshal of the State of Texas, taking off his broad hat and letting the starlight shine on his strong face. “That’s right. We had to do it. We’ve burned over 1,000 people to-day, and to-morrow we shall burn as many more. Yesterday we stopped burying the bodies at sea; we had to give the men on the barges whisky to give them courage to do the work. They carried out hundreds of the dead at one time, men and women, negroes and white people, all piled up as high as the barge
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DEAD WASHED FROM THEIR GRAVES.
DEAD WASHED FROM THEIR GRAVES.
“The graveyard, which has held the sleeping citizens of Galveston for many, many years, was giving up its dead. We pulled up at a little wharf in the hush of the starlight; there were no lights anywhere in the city except a few scattered lamps shining from a few desolate, half-destroyed houses. We picked our way up the street. The ground was slimy with the debris of the sea. “We climbed over wreckage and picked our way through heaps of rubbish. The terrible, sickening odor almost overcame us, an
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OLD SOLDIER SHUDDERED AT THE SIGHTS.
OLD SOLDIER SHUDDERED AT THE SIGHTS.
“I am an old soldier, madame. I have seen many battlefields, but let me tell you that since I rode across the bay the other night and helped the man at the boat steer to keep away from the floating bodies of dead women and little children I have not slept one single instant. Five thousand would never cover the number of people who died here in that terrible storm. “In the short time I have been here I have met and talked with women who saw every one they loved on earth swept away from them out i
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MAKING A FIGHT FOR LIFE.
MAKING A FIGHT FOR LIFE.
“The people of Galveston are making a brave and gallant fight for life. The citizens have organized under efficient and willing management. Gangs of men are at work everywhere removing the wreckage. The city is districted according to wards, and in every ward there is a relief station. They give out food at the relief stations. Such food as they have will not last long. “I sat in one relief station for an hour this morning and saw several people who had come asking for medicine and disinfectants
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THE STENCH IS OVERPOWERING.
THE STENCH IS OVERPOWERING.
“The stench from these piles of rubbish is almost over-powering. Down in the very heart of the city most of the dead bodies have been removed, but it will not do to walk far out. To-day I came upon a group of people in a by-street, a man and two women, colored. The man was big and muscular, one of the women was old and one was young. They were dipping in a heap of rubbish, and when they heard my footsteps the man turned an evil glowering face upon me and the young woman hid something in the fold
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DESOLATION ON EVERY SIDE.
DESOLATION ON EVERY SIDE.
“The abomination of desolation reigns on every side. The big houses are dismantled, their roofs gone, windows broken, and the high water mark showing inconceivably high on the paint. The little houses are gone—either completely gone as if they were made of cards and a giant hand which was tired of playing with them had swept them all off the board and put them away, or they are lying in heaps of kindling wood covering no one knows what horrors beneath. “The main streets of the city are pitiful.
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“THEY WERE ALL DROWNED.”
“THEY WERE ALL DROWNED.”
“He went into minute particulars, told how his house was built and what it cost, and how it was strengthened and made firm against the weather. He told me how the storm had come and swept it all away, and how he had climbed over a mass of wabbling roofs and found a friend lying in the curve of a big roof, in the stoutest part of the tide, and how they two had grasped each other and what they said. “He told me just how much his cows cost, and why he was so fond of them, and how hard he had tried
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TOO BUSY TO TALK.
TOO BUSY TO TALK.
“He transfixed me with a stony stare when I asked him for some information. He did not have time to bother with me. He was too busy feeding the hungry and comforting the destitute and taking care of thieves to care whether the outside world knew anything about him or his opinions or not. “The little parks are full of homeless people. The prairies around Galveston are dotted with little camp fires, where the homeless and destitute are trying to gather their scattered families together, and find o
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LODGED HIS CHILD IN A TREE.
LODGED HIS CHILD IN A TREE.
“Once in the open, with his babies under his arms, he was swept into the bay among hundreds of others. He held to his precious burden and by skillful manœuvring managed to get close to a tree which was sweeping along with the tide. He saw a haven in the branches of the tree and raised his two-year-old daughter to place her in the branches. As he did so the little one was torn from his arm and carried away to her death. “The awful blow stunned, but did not render senseless. Klee retained his hold
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MIRACULOUS ESCAPE FROM DEATH.
MIRACULOUS ESCAPE FROM DEATH.
Some of the escapes of people of Galveston from the storm were nothing less than miraculous. Charles Rutter, aged twelve, was in his father’s house when the waves and wind swept it away. The boy seized a floating trunk and was found at Hitchcock, twenty miles north. The Stubbs family, consisting of father, mother and two children, was in its home when it collapsed. They found refuge on a floating roof. This parted, and father and one child were swept in one direction, while the mother and the ot
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NEW LIFE IN THE CITY.
NEW LIFE IN THE CITY.
“For two days after the hurricane the people of Galveston heard practically nothing from the outside world. Then meager news came. To-day for the first time the story of the response of the American people to the stricken city’s involuntary appeal for relief has been brought in. “The hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash given for the use of the city, the many relief trains, laden with supplies of food, so much needed, and of medical and surgical appliances, still more needed, the oncoming ba
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SWIFT TRAINS LOADED WITH SUPPLIES.
SWIFT TRAINS LOADED WITH SUPPLIES.
“The bulletins which come through Governor Sayres at Dallas, who is earning the gratitude of Galveston people by his good work for them, tell of swift trains coming from the Atlantic and the Pacific laden with supplies. They tell of gifts of many thousands of dollars from great corporations and rich men of the country, and as well of gifts from the poorer classes in cities and villages in all parts of the Union. How Governor Roosevelt stopped on his speaking tour long enough to wire an appeal to
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“GALVESTON SHALL RISE AGAIN.”
“GALVESTON SHALL RISE AGAIN.”
Two daily papers have already resumed their issues, and their appearance helped to restore confidence. Both of them had stirring editorials, and that of one had for its keynote, “Galveston Shall Rise Again.” There was not a half hearted word in the editorial. It urged that people bury their dead, succor their living, and then start resolutely to work to mend the broken things and to build the city anew. Galveston will not be abandoned for a location on higher ground somewhere else. It has too fi
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SYSTEMATIC RELIEF.
SYSTEMATIC RELIEF.
The committee is trying to systematize the work, so as to relieve the worst cases first. Mayor Jones said: “We have made such arrangements as will make it possible for us to feed the needy until we can get in full supplies. We are relieving every case presented to us. I think within a day or two our transportation facilities will be sufficient temporarily to meet our needs. Galveston has helped other cities in their distress, despite her size, and we are consoled by the generous response of the
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HOMES MUST BE REPAIRED.
HOMES MUST BE REPAIRED.
“At the first meeting of Galveston’s citizens, Sunday afternoon, after the great hurricane, for the purpose of bringing order out of chaos, the only sentiment expressed was that Galveston had received an awful blow. The loss of life and property is appalling—so great that it required several days to form anything like a correct estimate. With sad and aching hearts, but with resolute faces, the sentiment of the meeting was that out of the awful chaos of wrecked homes and wretched business Galvest
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TIME FOR DAUNTLESS COURAGE.
TIME FOR DAUNTLESS COURAGE.
“The blight and ruin which have desolated Galveston are not beyond repair. We must not for a moment think Galveston is to be abandoned because of one disaster, however horrible that disaster has been. We have our homes here, even if those homes are in ruins, and if we loved Galveston before, how much stronger must that affection be and how much more sacred it must be when we think of our loved ones, whose dust consecrates not only the land but the very waves which lash its shores. “It is time fo
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SERMONS ON GALVESTON.
SERMONS ON GALVESTON.
The Galveston catastrophe furnished the theme for Rev. Dr. Russell H. Conwell’s sermon on Sunday, September 16th, in the Temple of Grace Baptist Church, Philadelphia. He attributed the disaster to the working of God’s immutable laws, and declared that the calamity in its end was for the good of all things. At the conclusion of his sermon he made an appeal for the aid of the sufferers. There was a generous response. Many pledged themselves for specific sums. Dr. Conwell took his text from Genesis
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BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE.
BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE.
“The people who now live in Galveston will be better all their lives. This experience has deepened their natures, enriched their sympathies, enlarged the boundaries of their feelings, and the people of that city will be blessed by that awful experience. They are going to be better inspired, more loving toward others, more affectionate toward each other, and they are going to be different men even without their riches, for riches do not make good men. The people of Galveston have been taught that
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MAKES THE WHOLE WORLD KIN.
MAKES THE WHOLE WORLD KIN.
Galveston’s great calamity was the central thought in many sermons preached in Chicago, and in a majority of the churches a collection was taken for the benefit of the sufferers. Some of the expressions were as follows: The Rev. William A. Burch (South Park Avenue Methodist Church)—“Such catastrophes reveal the worst and the best. There was mutilation of the sacred dead. But so on every battlefield a glittering diamond on the finger or in the ear excites the passions of men. But look at the bett
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MISFORTUNES MAKE US ONE.
MISFORTUNES MAKE US ONE.
The Rev. Frank DeWitt Talmage (Jefferson Park Presbyterian Church)—“We know not why this misfortune happened. Only eternity can solve for us the mystery, but we can learn two or three lessons that may be of help to us. God has made of one blood all nations. The misfortunes of mankind make us one, and when we hear the call we can hear Christ say, ‘Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto Me.’” The Rev. J. Kittredge Wheeler (Fourth Baptist Church, Ashland Bo
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NO WEAK FIBRE IN GALVESTON PEOPLE.
NO WEAK FIBRE IN GALVESTON PEOPLE.
“Stunned by a disaster in which individual griefs were lost in a common horror and the presence of death on all sides made the finding of the dead an incident of commonplace, they could scarcely have been expected to act with energy, organization or promptitude. The blow sustained by the city must have seemed irreparable. “Irreparable it would have been if the Galveston men and women had been of weaker fiber. It stands to their credit that as soon as the clear comprehension of their misfortune c
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HOPE FOR THE RUINED CITY.
HOPE FOR THE RUINED CITY.
“Outside of Galveston, when the news came of the awful destruction by hurricane and ocean combined, there were not a few who asked, as did ‘The Daily News,’ ‘Will Galveston be rebuilt?’ and paused for a reply. The answer has come promptly and with a ring of determination and hope that makes Americans proud of the Galvestonians—Yes, Galveston will be rebuilt. ‘It will rise greater and better than ever.’ “And it is now known that this resolution, taken on Sunday afternoon, almost before the great
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GENTLE AS A COUNTRY POND.
GENTLE AS A COUNTRY POND.
“Human lives were lost there, and the agony of it was great, but above all was the idea, ‘What of across the bay?’ It was six miles dead across, and a schooner was in waiting to take us over. But before it landed there was a chance of observation of the bay, in which the waters now gently lisped. For the bay was as gentle as a country pond. It lisped and kissed the few blades of grass that grew down where the rise and fall of the ridge was natural. It did not moan like the sea. It merely gurgled
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WRINGING THEIR HANDS IN AGONY.
WRINGING THEIR HANDS IN AGONY.
“Two women—I talked to them—had left two children each in Galveston in the destroyed district, and they sat through that whole five hours’ trip wringing their hands and trying to curb the volcano of lamentation which lies in the mother’s heart when those of her flesh are imperiled or dead. “We passed corpses. We passed the corpses of men and women and children. The moon was out, floating real brilliantly, and the boat cut past, barely missing a woman with her face turned toward God and the sky.
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CLASPED HANDS AND ESCAPED.
CLASPED HANDS AND ESCAPED.
Encircling a water stand pipe with clasped hands, W. R. Jones and fifteen other men prevented themselves from being carried away by the water, and so saved their lives at Galveston. In a wooden bathtub Mrs. Chapman Bailey and Miss Blanche Kennedy were carried out into the gulf, where they spent Saturday night. Not till the next morning did the tide bring them back to where the rescuing parties could reach them. Neither of them has a relative in Galveston left alive. Captain John Delaney, chief c
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RESCUED TWO BABES FROM DEATH.
RESCUED TWO BABES FROM DEATH.
Ray Ayers, an eight year old boy, unwittingly rescued his sister’s two babies during the flood. He was floating on a raft in Galveston when he passed a box with the two children in it. He seized them, but the weight was too heavy for his raft, and so he placed them on two bales of hay on top of a floating shed. When he found his sister he learned that her children were lost, and when a searching party discovered them, they were still sleeping, unconscious of their danger. James Battersole, of Ga
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“ALL GONE!—ALL GONE!”
“ALL GONE!—ALL GONE!”
“One man would ask another how his family had come out,” said Mr. Menage last night, “and the answer would be indifferent and hard—almost offish: ‘Oh, all gone.’ ‘All gone’ was the phrase on all sides. “The night before the disaster, when I reached the hotel, it was blowing rather hard, and the clerk said we were in for a storm, and I asked him if his roof was firmly fixed, and he said, ‘Well, it won’t be quite as bad as that,’ but by the next night at the same time there was three feet of water
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NO TIME TO DIG GRAVES.
NO TIME TO DIG GRAVES.
Galveston, Texas, Tuesday.—The work of digging bodies from the mass of wreckage still continues. More than 400 bodies were taken out of the debris which lines the beach front to-day. With all that has been done to recover bodies buried beneath or pinned in the immense rift, the work has hardly started. There is no time to dig graves, and the bodies, beaten and bruised beyond identification, are hastily consigned to the flames. Volunteers for this work are coming in fast. Men who have heretofore
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DISINFECTING THE CITY.
DISINFECTING THE CITY.
The manner of disposing of the wreckage and its mass of bodies in this city has not as yet been definitely decided upon. Every energy is now employed in getting rid of the dead, opening streets, cleaning alleys and gutters and disinfecting the city. When this is done the removal of the immense mass of debris will commence. Everything is in readiness to turn on the current for the electric lights in the business district, but because of the danger from hanging wires on the circuit, the lighting h
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SOME ACCOUNT OF CLARA BARTON.
SOME ACCOUNT OF CLARA BARTON.
Galveston, Tex., September 18.—Clara Barton, President of the Red Cross Society, who came here to distribute relief supplies, was stricken down at her work to-day while ministering to the victims of the Galveston storm. She succumbed, like a soldier, at her post. To-night she lies seriously ill at the Tremont Hotel. She was stricken at a conference in her rooms at the Tremont, with her staff of nine gathered about her. She had just finished an outline of her work, assigning each member of her st
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FACES OVERSPREAD WITH SADNESS.
FACES OVERSPREAD WITH SADNESS.
From this it will be understood that when the rain poured down it entered the houses still called habitable and drenched the contents again. The faces of the people showed the influence of the rain. They were overspread with sadness. The hopefulness which had been lighting up the features was gone. But it was only an hour of depression. Then the shower, for that was all it proved to be, passed. The sun came out. All Galveston went to work with renewed energy. Three or four horse cars made their
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ROOF BLOWN AWAY.
ROOF BLOWN AWAY.
About four o’clock Dr. Cline, who was in charge of the Weather Bureau at Galveston, the letter stated, passed, and Rev. Palmer asked him what they had better do. He advised them to stay in the house, as he thought it was perfectly safe. The storm increased and the water flowed into the yard. Mr. Palmer went downstairs and found the wind had blown down the front door and several windows. About dark sections of the roof were blown off and all the persons in the house went into Mr. Palmer’s room. T
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NECESSARY BUREAUS.
NECESSARY BUREAUS.
“A census bureau was placed in operation to-day. A mortuary bureau has also been opened where relatives or friends are to make oath of the known death of persons lost in the storm. Hanna & Leonard’s new elevator began business to-night. The British steamer Endeavor went under the spouts and is taking on a full cargo of wheat. “At a meeting of the general relief committee to-day no one was found who would undertake the job of removing the city’s debris on contract, as all state it would b
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WORK PUSHED WITH VIGOR.
WORK PUSHED WITH VIGOR.
“The work under the direction of the health department is pushed with vigor and rapidity. Over a carload of disinfectants was taken from the wharves to-day and sent to the health department supply depot, and almost as much was taken from that place and distributed over the city. Much was done in the way of removing debris and disposing of animal carcasses. The sick and wounded are receiving the best of treatment. Besides the other hospitals and medical relief station already in service, the mari
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WANTS A BREAKWATER.
WANTS A BREAKWATER.
“Congressman Hawley advocates the building of a breakwater, beginning at the south jetty and extending westward, parallelling the shore of Galveston Island for a distance of about seven miles. With a base of twenty-five feet and crown of eight feet, capped with heavy granite blocks, he believes this would break the force of a tidal wave and adequately protect Galveston. “The people are still leaving the city in considerable numbers, but the relief work locally has now been gotten down to such a
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SOME MEANS TO HELP PEOPLE.
SOME MEANS TO HELP PEOPLE.
“I think that we should not only feed and clothe, but that we ought to have some means to help people who have lost everything to make a start toward the restoration of their homes. To do this will require every dollar of $5,000,000.” There are now on the scene more nurses and physicians than are required. The injured are rapidly recovering from their wounds, which are largely superficial. Many men and women are suffering from severe nervous shock, and find it impossible to sleep. Food is coming
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“WE ARE BROKE.”
“WE ARE BROKE.”
“It is almost impossible to speak definitely as yet of the needs of our people. We are broke, the majority of us. Galveston must have suffered, in my estimation, based upon all of the reports I have to the extent of $20,000,000. We now need money more than anything. From the advices I have received I believe that the shipments of disinfectant and food supplies now on the way will be sufficient to meet the immediate wants. By the time these are used we shall have regained our tranquility.” This i
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OPENING UP THE STREETS.
OPENING UP THE STREETS.
The work of opening up the streets and disinfecting them is being vigorously prosecuted. The debris and garbage is being removed, 250 vessels of every description carrying it out to a safe place, where it is burned. In a few days all streets will be opened for the passage of vehicles. It was decided at a meeting of the Central Executive Committee that all the laborers employed in burying the dead, cleaning the buildings and moving the debris from the streets and sidewalks shall receive $1.50 per
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CAPTAIN WOULD NOT RISK THE TRIP.
CAPTAIN WOULD NOT RISK THE TRIP.
“I will sell you my boat,” he said, “but neither myself nor my men will risk the trip.” By putting several thousand men at work all day Monday and Monday night one railroad line was put in condition for a train to go from Houston to Texas City, six miles from Galveston, the island being across the bay. This, the first train out of Houston, was to leave early Tuesday morning. The news of its intended departure spread to all parts of the country. Hundreds of grief-stricken, bewildered people, near
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GETTING OUT OF GALVESTON.
GETTING OUT OF GALVESTON.
Getting out of Galveston, however, is comparatively easy. It was Wednesday morning when the photographer finally reached Houston, exhausted and nervous to a degree that made working a torture. He managed to develop his pictures, and that evening that man rushed forward the first photographs of actual storm scenes to leave the city. One hundred and thirty bodies of storm victims were recovered and cremated to-day (September 17), nine days after the hurricane, and still there are hundreds more to
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ABOUT 17,000 PEOPLE RECEIVING RELIEF.
ABOUT 17,000 PEOPLE RECEIVING RELIEF.
Health Officer Wilkinson stated that 40 per cent. of the debris of every description had been removed from the streets; that 95 per cent. of the dead bodies had been disposed of, and that 95 per cent. of the carcasses of animals had been removed from the city. Among the bodies found was that of Major W. T. Levy, United States emigrant inspector for Galveston. His wife and three children perished, but their bodies have not been recovered. In one place the body of a mother was found with a babe of
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NUMEROUS CASES OF INSANITY.
NUMEROUS CASES OF INSANITY.
The city takes on more of the appearance of a business place each day. To-day horse cars are running downtown, while there is both water and electric service in limited portions of the city. Telephone communication has been opened with Houston, and both of the telegraph companies have greatly improved their service. All the railroad companies announce they will have trains into the city inside of three days, although at first only trains with construction material may risk the trip across the re
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ESCAPE OF REV. L. P. DAVIS AND FAMILY.
ESCAPE OF REV. L. P. DAVIS AND FAMILY.
The escape of Rev. L. P. Davis, his wife and his five young children on Bolivar Peninsula and their seven days of suffering before they reached here is of a kind rarely to be equaled in the annals of disasters. This has already been detailed in these pages. Mr. Davis started to drive his family away from his home at Patton Beach when the water began to rise high. He saw a neighbor’s family washed out of their wagon and rescued them. The party made their way to a grove, where the adults tied the
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DISTRIBUTING $40,000 A DAY.
DISTRIBUTING $40,000 A DAY.
Twenty thousand people are being fed and cared for daily in Galveston with the supplies which are pouring in from all parts of the country. This will be cut at least one-half in ten days, is the statement of W. A. McVitie, chairman of the central relief committee. The estimated cost of the aid which is now being extended is $40,000 a day. The great bulk of the aid is going to the 4,000 men who are at work cleaning up the wreckage, digging for bodies and cleaning the streets. Through them it goes
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ONLY THE DESTITUTE HELPED.
ONLY THE DESTITUTE HELPED.
“Ah want a dress foh ma sistah,” says a big negress. “You’re ’Manda Jones, and you haven’t any sister living here,” replied the chairman. “Foh de Lord, ah has; ah ain’t ’Mandy Jones at all; we done live on Avenue N before de storm, and we los’ everything.” “Go out with this woman and find out if she has a sister who needs a dress,” says the chairman to a committeeman. In this way check is kept on all the applicants for aid. At the 5th ward distributing station clothing was being given away this
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SAYS MONEY IS MOST NEEDED.
SAYS MONEY IS MOST NEEDED.
“What do we need worst? Money. If we have money we can order just what we need and probably get better value than the people who are buying it. Many people have made the mistake of sending money to Houston and Dallas and asking committees there to buy for us. They do not know just what we need, and if we had the money we could do better for ourselves. Money should be sent to us.” One of the most remarkable things attending the Galveston disaster is the fortitude of the people. Their loss in rela
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STOOD THE STORM WELL.
STOOD THE STORM WELL.
Father Kerwin’s church is among the few which are comparatively little damaged. He sets the value of Catholic property destroyed in the city at $300,000. Included in this loss is the Ursula convent and academy, which was badly damaged. It covered four blocks between Twenty-fifth and Twenty-seventh streets and Avenues N and O. It was the finest in the South. The city is rapidly improving in its sanitary conditions. The smell from the ooze and mud with which most of the streets are filled is stron
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ONLY ONE WHO ESCAPED.
ONLY ONE WHO ESCAPED.
Cooped up in a house that collapsed after being carried along by a deluge of water, John Elford, brother of A. B. Elford, Chicago, his wife and little grandson, met death in the flood during the Galveston storm. Milton, son of John Elford, was in the building with the family at the time, and is the only one of the many occupants, including fifteen women, that is known to have escaped. A. B. Elford was dumbfounded when he received the first information of the disaster, for he had no idea of his b
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KAISER MOURNS FOR GALVESTON.
KAISER MOURNS FOR GALVESTON.
Washington, D. C., Sept 17.—President McKinley has received the following message of sympathy from Emperor William of Germany: “Stettin, Sept. 13, 1900.—President of the United States of America, Washington: I wish to convey to your excellency the expression of my deep-felt sympathy with the misfortune that has befallen the town and harbor of Galveston and many other ports of the coast, and I mourn with you and the people of the United States over the terrible loss of life and property caused by
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PRESIDENT THANKS THE KAISER.
PRESIDENT THANKS THE KAISER.
The President’s reply was as follows: “Executive Mansion, Sept. 14, 1900.—His Imperial and Royal Majesty, William II., Stettin, Germany: Your majesty’s message of condolence and sympathy is very grateful to the American government and people, and in their name as well as on behalf of the many thousands who have suffered bereavement and irreparable loss in the Galveston disaster, I thank you most earnestly. W. B. McGown, a member of the Dallas Rough Riders, to-day arrived at Dallas from Galveston
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EXHAUSTION THINS OUT THE WORKERS.
EXHAUSTION THINS OUT THE WORKERS.
“At a meeting of the Auxiliary Health Board to-day a committee was appointed to suggest to Adjutant General Scurry, in charge of city forces, and the General Relief Committee, the advisability of having the work done by contract and importing men to do it. Reports from various wards where men have been engaged in this work show a decrease in numerical strength, due to exhaustion and other causes. In some instances men who are skilled mechanics and have assisted in the disposition of the dead hav
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SERIOUS CASES OF INJURY.
SERIOUS CASES OF INJURY.
“In the vicinity of the hospitals there is a mass of debris containing many bodies, and the Health Board has sent an urgent appeal to headquarters to have this debris cleared. “Emergency hospitals report wounds dressed on an average of 150 to 200 a day. Many report serious cases. “A census has been taken of St. Mary’s Catholic parish, embracing the territory from Sixteenth to Twenty-seventh street. It shows a loss of 267 from this parish alone. A census of the city is now being taken, which will
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DESTRUCTION IN OUTLYING DISTRICTS.
DESTRUCTION IN OUTLYING DISTRICTS.
Alvin—In the town of Alvin and vicinity there are probably six houses on blocks out of a total of 1,000. The population of Alvin now to be fed is about 1,500; Manvel, 250; Liverpool and Amsterdam, 250; Chocolate and Austin Bayous, Chigger neighborhood, Dickinson Bayou, east and outside, or the surrounding country, 2,500, making a total of 5,000 persons under the supervision of the Alvin committee. The committee admits having a sufficient amount of clothing. They have received a cash subscription
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HOUSES AND OTHER PROPERTY GONE.
HOUSES AND OTHER PROPERTY GONE.
Alta Loma—This committee reports about seventy-five families, or 300 persons, to be cared for. Have received 530 rations. People have no money and their property destroyed. In the neighborhood of 100 houses existed; forty destroyed and about twenty untenantable. There are about four houses now on blocks. Two lives were lost. The population is mainly of northern people. A shipment was made them of provisions and medicines, but other things are needed at once. Col. B. H. Belo, publisher of the “Ga
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THE CRIES OF THE PEOPLE.
THE CRIES OF THE PEOPLE.
The cries of the people still filled his ears. He went out a second time and after being gone for what seemed an hour or more to those who were waiting he returned with the people. They had clung to the branches of a salt cedar tree. Mr. Masterson was not satisfied with that, but went out for other people immediately, the water having begun to fall about that time, and worked all night. A little black dog stood barking over a sand hill in the west end beyond Woollam’s lake. Those who endeavored
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MR. GRAY’S STORY.
MR. GRAY’S STORY.
Mr. Gray’s story is interesting. His house fell and he fought his way out with a wife who was just out of a sick bed. He managed to get to the next house with her. This was the home of Ed. Hunter. That house went between 6.30 and 7, and the Hunter family was lost. Mr. Gray caught a transom, put the arm of his wife through it, and soon found that the transom belonged to the side of the house, about 20×20 feet in size. It was nothing but the side of the house made of ordinary siding and studding.
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A GRUESOME SIGHT.
A GRUESOME SIGHT.
Mr. Park says twenty people arrived at Hitchcock on rafts from Galveston before he left. These had been carried by the storm from Galveston to Hitchcock, a distance of about eighteen miles. They also saw a pile driven from the Huntington wharves high on the prairie far beyond Virginia Point. A gruesome sight passed along the street Monday afternoon. Workmen in digging bodies from the debris found one of a handsome man with dark hair and mustache and dressed in a light suit of clothes. He was on
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DESTRUCTION OF CATHOLIC ORPHANS’ HOME.
DESTRUCTION OF CATHOLIC ORPHANS’ HOME.
What became of the others nobody can say. Campbell only knows that he got out from the building somehow and caught a piece of drift, either a part of the roof or something of the sort. The Murney boy broke through a transom and got out. He drifted for some time and finally caught a tree to which he clung and soon found that the two other boys had caught the same tree. Prior to that they had been separated, but a strange fate attracted them to the same place. This tree, it developed later, had ca
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NEW FEATURES OF THE CALAMITY.
NEW FEATURES OF THE CALAMITY.
Another account is as follows and contains new pictures of the scene: The elements, which had been cutting up didoes and blowing every which way during the preceding twenty-four hours, got down to it in earnest fashion Saturday morning, when a strong wind, accompanied by rain, which first came in great splashing drops which one could almost dodge, but afterwards became a hard, driving rain, began to get in its work. Along the bay front the waves rose higher and higher and tossed about the small
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THE ANGER OF THE SEA.
THE ANGER OF THE SEA.
The platform which supported the photograph gallery at the Pagoda bath house was washed away. This was not a part of the original structure, and was not as strongly built as the remainder of the bath house. The bath house proper and its pier, extending out to sea, were not at that time (Saturday noon) disturbed by the waves, although the high rollers at times dashed so near the flooring of this and the other bath houses that it looked like a rise of a few inches would punch up the flooring. The
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IMPOSSIBLE TO NAVIGATE.
IMPOSSIBLE TO NAVIGATE.
The shell man and others of the Midway folk moved their stocks out during the morning to be on the safe side, but others, who have long been acquainted with the sea and who were less timorous, stayed by their places and kept their goods and chattels there. At that hour the water was on a level with the wharf at pier 23, and was rapidly rising. Later it was almost impossible to navigate along the wharf front on account of the deep water and the high wind. Of course, it was wholly out of the quest
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REVEALED A SCENE.
REVEALED A SCENE.
Wednesday the sun drew aside the curtains of darkness and revealed a scene that is impossible of description. I spent hours driving or riding about the city, and witnessed the saddest spectacles ever seen by human eyes. What were once Galveston’s splendid business thoroughfares were wrecked and crumbled. The Strand, known to every business man of the State, was lined on both sides with crumbling walls and wrenched buildings, and the street was a mass of debris, such as metal roofs rolled up like
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A TERRIBLE FATE.
A TERRIBLE FATE.
I knew he had woe in his heart, and I queried. “I am the only one left,” he answered. “Papa, mamma, Lena and Guy—they are all gone.” I remember the last time I saw this family before they left Dallas. I remember Lena, one of the most beautiful children I ever saw. I recall her beautiful eyes and long, dark curls, and I remember when she kissed me good-bye and joyously told me she was coming to Galveston to live! And this was her fate. With all my old fondness for the ocean, recalling how I have
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HOUSES COMPLETELY CAPSIZED.
HOUSES COMPLETELY CAPSIZED.
Some of the houses were completely capsized, some were flat upon the ground with not one timber remaining upon another, others were unroofed, some were twisted into the most fantastic shapes, and there were still others with walls intact, but which had been stripped of everything in the way of furniture. It is not an uncommon thing for the wind at high velocity to perform miraculous things, but this blast, which came at the rate of 120 miles an hour, repeated all the tricks the wind has ever ena
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BURNING 1000 HUMAN BODIES.
BURNING 1000 HUMAN BODIES.
And why the fire? The men were burning 1000 human bodies cast up by the sea, and the fuel was the timber of the homes which the poor victims once occupied! And yet this awful spectacle was but a fragment of the murderous work of the greatest storm which has swept the ocean’s shore for a century! There were dozens of piles of sand in every direction along that mutilated shore. And men were noticed in the distance shoveling these uncanny mounds. We saw what they were doing. The bodies brought in b
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IMPOSSIBLE TO DISPOSE OF THE DEAD.
IMPOSSIBLE TO DISPOSE OF THE DEAD.
While the matter was under discussion, the committee was informed that there was no time to waste in deliberation, that some of the bodies were already bursting. It was impossible to bury them, and they could not be incinerated in that portion of the city without endangering more life and more property, as there was no water to extinguish a fire once started. It was decided to load the bodies on a barge, tow it out to sea and sink them with weights. That was the only thing to be done. Men were c
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STORIES OF SORROW.
STORIES OF SORROW.
George H. Walker, of San Antonio, known well in theatrical circles, was a member of the party which struggled all day Tuesday to get to Galveston, and he landed late at night. It was an anxious day for him, for this was the city of his birth and before the storm he had six brothers and five sisters living here, in addition to his son, an aunt and his mother-in-law. He found his son safe and many other members of his family. They told him how the boy, Earl, a lad of 15, had at the height of the t
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MASSACRE OF THE LIVING.
MASSACRE OF THE LIVING.
Mr. L. H. Lewis, of Dallas, arrived yesterday looking for his son, George Cabell Lewis, who was found alive and well. Mr. Lewis said: “I helped to bury sixteen at Texas City last (Tuesday) night—all Galveston victims. They buried fifty-eight there Tuesday. Coming down Buffalo bayou I saw numberless legs and arms, mostly of women and children, protruding from the muck. I believe there are hundreds of women and children near the mouth of the bayou. As soon as men can be found to do the work these
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RESCUING DESTITUTE CHILDREN.
RESCUING DESTITUTE CHILDREN.
But the people of Texas ought to know what he has done. They have always loved the Buckner home. They know what it has done in the way of rescuing destitute children. They know that hundreds of good men and women of the State have come from that institution—men and women who have become successful in life and who honor the State and the home by their useful and upright lives. But Texas will have greater cause than ever to love and revere Dr. Buckner and his institution when it is known that he h
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SHATTERED LIVES.
SHATTERED LIVES.
They will come around after a while and will do their part. Thousands of them have not slept since last Friday night and may not sleep for a week to come. Pity them, for God knows their shattered lives are enough to drive almost any of us insane if we should stop to think. J. W. Maxwell, general superintendent of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway; J. W. Allen, general freight manager of the same road, and Major G. W. Foster, of the Southwestern Telegraph and Telephone Company, got in yester
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HAS REACHED A CRISIS.
HAS REACHED A CRISIS.
It is well that it so, for this town has reached a crisis in its life when this sustaining influence is needed. It is not surprising that many surviving victims of the storm are about to succumb to despair. God knows the burden of anguish which oppresses every heart here is calculated to breed despair. The duty of the hour, however, is too plain to be disregarded. This island must be restored to its former beauty and greatness in all the arts and industries of civilization, and it is fortunate t
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“I FELT THAT THE END HAD COME.”
“I FELT THAT THE END HAD COME.”
“When did you think you were in real danger?” I asked of a merchant. “Not until Ritter’s house went down and I saw the waters rapidly climbing the walls. We had passed through the terrible storm of 1875, and had lived. Since then the island has been raised five feet or more. Why should we not have felt easy? But when the wind and waves began to show their fury, when I saw these extra five or more feet covered by a raging torrent which raced hither and thither, I felt that the end had come. Up th
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NOBLE DEEDS IN TIME OF DISASTER.
NOBLE DEEDS IN TIME OF DISASTER.
In all great catastrophes I have yet to know of one that some special act of selfishness and brutality did not occur. There is hardly a great wreck recorded in which is not depicted the brute who pushed women from boats or from spars. In all I have heard of the thousands of incidents connected with this storm, not an instance of that selfishness which would cause one person to deprive another of his means of escape has occurred. Thousands of instances of devotion of husband to wife, of wife to h
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DIRECTION OF THE STORM.
DIRECTION OF THE STORM.
It is not at all remarkable that of all the statements in regard to the details of this storm no two persons can be found who agree on the direction of the wind and the currents. All agree that the most terrible blows which the town received came from the point of the compass which may be spoken of as between northeast and east. There are those who declare that first the wind was almost from the north. Then it veered till it was almost east, and then settled down to its herculean efforts from a
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HAMMERED INTO SHAPELESS MASSES.
HAMMERED INTO SHAPELESS MASSES.
Coming down the island from the east, the storm struck these habitations. It was in this area, east and west, from one end of the town to the other, it did its worst. The large houses were overthrown. Where they fell they were hammered into shapeless masses. The small ones were taken up. A man can take two eggs and mash them against each other. The waters took the remnants and pushed them forward. One street of buildings would go down. That would be next to the Gulf. The timbers were hurled agai
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A BULWARK OF DEAD PEOPLE.
A BULWARK OF DEAD PEOPLE.
But few lives were lost, in comparison, in this district, and while the stores were flooded and houses toppled over by the winds and undermined by the water, yet that bulwark made of dead people and all they had struggled for and owned in this life, kept back the savage waves from the Gulf and saved the rest of the town. Looking at this wall, from which, as I write, come the odors of decomposition, climbing it, as this correspondent has done, he is sure in his mind that if it had not been formed
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GALVESTON SAFE NOW.
GALVESTON SAFE NOW.
No man—scientist or mere citizen—is authority upon the wondrous winds and ties that reduced the island of Galveston to an incomprehensible pot pourri of devastation. All is guess work, behind which there is neither science nor common sense. As far as a deliberate proposition evolved by a fair measure of judgment in which there enters as little of egotism as is possible with human beings, I would rather trust the guesser than the scientist. As I begin the story at nightfall, the lightning is illu
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LIGHTNING FLASHES IN DARKNESS.
LIGHTNING FLASHES IN DARKNESS.
Galveston, stricken and bleeding, is safe from the wrath of all powers, human or divine. The vivid lightnings may cleave the sleepless waves of the sea and the thunders may play at will among the fantastic clouds in the sky. Galveston, soothed and compassed by the tenderness of mankind, is veiled in the folds of heaven’s mercy, and the shrieking tempest is now but a whisper from the sky, the angry wave but the gentle falling of tears from above the stars. It is so hard to write the story or a ch
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A DAY OF ANGUISH.
A DAY OF ANGUISH.
It has been a day of anguish like all the days of this week have been. There has been no cessation of tear-stained faces appearing here and there to tell of the lost. And it is a wonder if the end of this sad divulgence will ever come. A motherless boy or a fatherless girl, a now childless mother or father, or whatever it may be, they still come to tell of their woe, and the stolid men who glide over the water or who search the shore, still bring in the swollen and unrecognizable victims of the
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WORK RAPIDLY PUSHED.
WORK RAPIDLY PUSHED.
Burying the dead, feeding the destitute, cleaning the city and repairing wrecks of all characters is under fair headway and will be pushed as rapidly as men can be found to do the work. The great utilities of the city are being repaired to a state of usefulness, men are in demand, and workers are coming to engage in the duty of restoration. Life is beginning to supersede death, and there is apparent everywhere a desire to save the city and rebuild it. Before another week has passed, the listless
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DAMAGE WILL BE REPAIRED.
DAMAGE WILL BE REPAIRED.
“What of the future? Galveston will be rebuilt; it will be stronger and better than ever before. On my way home I stated that I would restore my property, whatever the damage might be, as quickly as money and men would do it, if I was the only man to take that course; and I furthermore said that I believe I knew and understood what the feeling of the business community of Galveston was in this respect and that I had voiced it. “At Texas City I met a woman from Kansas City. She was demoralized by
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WILL BUILD BETTER THAN BEFORE.
WILL BUILD BETTER THAN BEFORE.
“I slept at my home last night with as great a sense of security and safety as I ever have felt during my residence in this city,” Colonel Moody continued. “There may be some people who will leave here, but there will be enough people left here who will rebuild their properties and go ahead with the city to form the nucleus for its future growth. We will build better than before, and the city will be better and stronger and safer than ever. “The railroads are leading off with this better constru
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MOST MIRACULOUS ESCAPE.
MOST MIRACULOUS ESCAPE.
“The people of Texas have not lost confidence in Galveston and have not manifested a disposition to quit the city. In to-day’s mail we received bills of lading for three hundred bales of cotton shipped to us since the storm.” The most miraculous escape from the storm reached one of the newspapers in a roundabout way. An employe of the paper was coming to work when he overheard a few words passing between a couple of men talking on the street. He heard enough to elicit his interest and made inqui
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HE TOOK THE AWFUL RISK.
HE TOOK THE AWFUL RISK.
When the storm began to get so ferocious he became frightened. In the evening, just after dark, securing a boat, he started out with his parents to a Mr. Cleveland’s, a neighbor’s house, it being large and the most substantial in the neighborhood. At that time the water was rising rapidly and was being lashed into a perfect fury by the terrific wind. It was a terrible thing to start out in the water under such conditions, but he saw that their house would not stand long, so he took the awful ris
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THE BOAT CAPSIZED.
THE BOAT CAPSIZED.
When almost abreast of the house the boat capsized. Then again Brophey showed his bravery and that he was through and through a hero. Instead of striking out alone for the house he thought of his parents and the drowning family. After much difficulty, after having gone under time and time again in his frantic efforts to save his loved ones and the destitute family, he at last succeeded in getting them into the house. That place they found filled to overflowing with refugees like themselves. The
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DODGING TIMBERS IN THE WATER.
DODGING TIMBERS IN THE WATER.
Thus Brophey struggled, several times giving up and letting himself go down, but rising each time with a determination to fight until the bitter end, although terrible odds were against him. After having been in this mighty whirlpool for almost an hour, dodging huge timbers, crawling on roofs and sides of houses, being sucked under with them, he saw a house standing. With almost a last effort, he struggled and fought his way to a window of the house. There were ready hands to pull him through th
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FLOATED IN A TANK.
FLOATED IN A TANK.
He had noted a large zinc-lined wooden tank on the upper floor, used for holding water, and which he thought might be used for a boat, when suddenly the crash came and he knew no more for possibly an hour. He recovered consciousness to find himself floating in the tank on the surging waters, bruised, bleeding and almost drowned. He managed to escape to higher ground in a short while and crawled into a deserted house, where he spent a night of horror, suffering from his injuries and momentarily e
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TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE OF A SURVIVOR.
TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE OF A SURVIVOR.
A letter to a newspaper furnishes the following account of the terrible experiences of one of the survivors: “I came home from my work Saturday evening about 4 o’clock, with Lewis Fisher. I left Lewis on Tremont street and avenue O, where the water was three feet deep. He said he was going out to help his people, and told me good-bye. So I started for home to see how my folks were. When I got home I found my folks all there, and the water was then five feet deep. I lived one block from the beach
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CAPTURED SOME BLANKETS.
CAPTURED SOME BLANKETS.
“About 2 o’clock in the morning we caught two trunks and broke them open, and it looked like a godsend to us, as both were full of blankets. We took these blankets and covered the women and children, or else I believe they would have frozen to death. About 5 o’clock in the morning I got up and started in search of my father and sister and other two brothers, and the first thing I did when I got off the raft was to step on a dead body. “I then went a few steps further and found Mrs. A. C. Bell, o
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HOUSE ROCKED LIKE A CRADLE.
HOUSE ROCKED LIKE A CRADLE.
Did the wind blow straight away or come in gusts? Here they differ again. One man told me that his house rocked as a cradle rocked by a mother getting her half-sleeping child to sleep. Dr. Fly described how it blew in a way to be understood. He was in the Tremont Hotel, a brick structure. He said that while it blew hard all the time gusts would come every few seconds and the wind took the strong building in its teeth then and shook it like a terrier would shake a rat. There is sitting out on the
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CLOTHES TORN TO SHREDS.
CLOTHES TORN TO SHREDS.
The men, too, were deprived in a great measure of their clothes, but not to the extent of the women. Their clothes were torn from them now and then by the wreckage, but nearly all the corpses had on some garment. The reason of this was probably that the women’s apparel was of weaker texture. People ask why the people did not move when the storm came from unsafe houses to safe houses. The answer is twofold. In the first place, death was on them before they realized their danger. The Galveston min
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CRUSHED BY A PIECE OF TIMBER.
CRUSHED BY A PIECE OF TIMBER.
One poor woman was carrying her child and its head was crushed by a piece of timber. It did not even whimper, yet she carried the dead infant at her breast for three long hours before it was torn from her grasp. When one sees the debris piled twenty feet high, in many places on the backbone of the island—that is, along Q street, running east and west—and when one sees the broad prairies for miles and miles covered with the wreckage that came from Galveston across the bay, the wonder with him wil
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THE NUMBER GROWS LARGER.
THE NUMBER GROWS LARGER.
What should be done with them? Strange to say, the suggestion was made that inquests must be held on the bodies and the law complied with. But the corpses began to grow larger in number. Inquests now were no longer discussed. Those who could work began to gather the dead bodies and carry them to the undertaker shops. There was confusion, but all were doing their best. The purpose now was to place the dead in coffins. But the number increased. The idea was abandoned because, simply, it could not
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A GHASTLY SPECTACLE.
A GHASTLY SPECTACLE.
Here they were placed on barges. The poor living creatures, wild with liquor, bestialized by it, because they could not have done it, embarked with the putrifying cargo. The white men retched and vomited. The negroes did the same. Yet more work had to be done and now they pleaded for whisky to dull them more for their horrible work. It was given them. No man in all the world can tell of the horrors of this trip. Those who were not wild shrunk in agony from it. Those who were mad stumbled over th
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FULL LIST CANNOT BE KNOWN.
FULL LIST CANNOT BE KNOWN.
As to the dead, as stated before, how the full list will be ever known is hard to say. There are places in the city where for blocks and blocks not a house remains, and no one can give an instance of having seen a resident of the locality since the fury of the storm was spent. Whole families were swept out to sea, and the survivors of the calamity are too busy with their own and the work which must be done to remember whom they knew when the Island City was in its prime. Another point in the mat
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STORY OF URSULINE.
STORY OF URSULINE.
The Ursuline Convent and Academy, in charge of the Sisters of St. Angeli, proved a haven of refuge for nearly 1000 homeless and storm-driven unfortunates. The stories of this one night within the convent walls read like the wildest dream of a novelist, but the half can never be told. Every man, woman and child who was brought to the convent or drifted there on the raging torrent could tell of an experience that would be well worth its publication. The convent, with its many associate buildings,
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A SOLEMN CEREMONY.
A SOLEMN CEREMONY.
The negroes listened attentively, and when the saintly woman told them that all those who wished to be baptized or resign themselves to God might do so, nearly every one of them asked that the sacrament be administered. The panic had been precipitated by the falling of the north wall or that section of the building in which the negroes had sought refuge. Order and silent prayer were brought about by this noble woman’s sweet determination and great presence of mind. Families that had been separat
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LIVING TO TAKE PLACES OF THE DEAD.
LIVING TO TAKE PLACES OF THE DEAD.
Within this religious home and in cells of the nuns four babies came into this world. Four mothers who had braved the treacherous elements and were snatched from the jaws of tragic death lay on cots in the nuns’ cells and four little innocents came into this world of sorrow where the world looked the blackest. Truly it could not be said that the quartette of precious ones first saw the light of day in the cell of a nun on this eventful night. It was the darkest and most terrible night in the liv
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CLEARING THE STREETS.
CLEARING THE STREETS.
The following report of the situation at Galveston bears date of September 17th: The work of clearing the streets of debris and wreckage is progressing steadily and with systematic rapidity. The military authorities have gradually perfected the system and divided the labors so that there is comparatively no interruption or delay in the gigantic undertaking. To-day the reports filed at General Scurry’s headquarters up to 9 o’clock to-night reported the recovery and disposition of but forty-five b
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THE INDESCRIBABLE SUNDAY SERVICES.
THE INDESCRIBABLE SUNDAY SERVICES.
The body of Major W. T. Levy, United States Immigrant Agent of this district, was among the number. He made a gallant struggle to save his wife and three children. All were lost, and the bodies of the wife and children have not been recovered. They are still among the uninterred dead, and when found will be disposed of as the father and husband has been. What pen can describe the religious service on Sunday? Houses of worship ruined, congregations scattered and in despair, yet all those who surv
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A GLORIOUS RECORD.
A GLORIOUS RECORD.
There has yet to come to light any tale of brutality; those who spent the night of the storm battling the waves never witnessed a selfish act; this in itself is a glorious record to hallow the event. Man after man secure in his own house, hearing the cry for help plunged out in the fury to rescue the helpless ones; oftentimes this was attended with loss of life to the rescuer. There was no question of kin or color that awful night, the ties of a common sorrow united all, and not only was man wit
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A DOG’S DEVOTION.
A DOG’S DEVOTION.
Kind hands did for him all that could be done, and while feeble and heart-broken he appeared to suffer no pain. The dog never left him there, the two throughout that fateful Sunday clung together. Toward 3 o’clock in the afternoon the old man, still sitting in a rocking-chair, covered in blankets, no dry bed being available, appeared drowsy. This was only natural from fatigue and age, but when the head gently bent forward it was the sleep of death. However, such a gentle passing away of the soul
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THE WORST EXPERIENCES.
THE WORST EXPERIENCES.
Naturally one would say that the living through the experience of the storm was the worst part of the catastrophe, but those who had their families here but were themselves away affirm that the suspense and anxiety they underwent to learn the fate of their loved ones could not have been worse. Mr. Frank Gresham shows this. He was at Cornell College when the news that Galveston had been swept off the earth reached him. At first these reports seemed exaggeration, but when the truth became known th
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THE RESPONSE FOR RELIEF.
THE RESPONSE FOR RELIEF.
Thus the suspense had to be borne till the pilot reached the boat, and at this junction only the confirmation of their worst fears were realized. Only the passengers who were Galvestonians, all of whom agreed to work upon their arrival, were allowed to come in; the others were sent to Texas City, from which place they reached their various homes. The papers show how letters, telegrams and cables are daily coming in by thousands; also how the whole world has responded to the cry for help. Even th
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THE AWFUL STORY.
THE AWFUL STORY.
The following from the columns of a well-known journal has a mournful interest: “In Galveston there is mourning; in the city by the sea there is sobbing and tears. When the young of us have grown old, when they, in their turn, are grand’thers, when a century of years has drifted past as sea-wreck drifts will the legend of Galveston be told and retold again, and white-faced children, clinging to the granddames’ robes, will listen to the story of how the storm-god came in rage, and how the gulf, b
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LABORERS’ HEROIC WORK.
LABORERS’ HEROIC WORK.
Under date of the 18th the condition of the city was stated to be as follows: Slowly but surely the streets are assuming a decent appearance, and in a few days all evidence of the storm on the streets of the business district will have been removed. A large force of men are working systematically, and the beneficial result is shown in every quarter. The greatest amount of wreckage is piled high along the beach and for several blocks inland, where hundreds of homes fell victims to the rush of wat
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MORE VICTIMS EVERY HOUR.
MORE VICTIMS EVERY HOUR.
As the force of wreckers make inroads into the mountains of debris the bodies of more victims are unearthed every hour. And the end is not yet. A most conservative estimate of the dead and missing is enough to prove that the wreckage yet undisturbed will reveal several hundred more dead who perished in the storm. There is no doubt that at least 200 or 300, perhaps many more, bodies were carried to sea, and that the number of bodies recovered and to be recovered and accounted for will fall short
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ADVISED TO LEAVE THE CITY.
ADVISED TO LEAVE THE CITY.
In this regard it may be well to call attention to the advice given early in the present military régime that all those who can leave the city should do so; especially does this apply to women and children. A month away from the scenes of the calamity would prove beneficial to their general health, and would greatly aid in facilitating the work of cleaning the city and putting it in a thorough sanitary condition. A man who knows his family is enjoying good health away from Galveston can do bette
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ANXIOUS ABOUT THE CITY’S HEALTH.
ANXIOUS ABOUT THE CITY’S HEALTH.
The Auxiliary Board of Health met at the usual time and place on the 18th with almost all the Board present. President Wilkinson called the meeting to order, and after it had been decided to waive the regular order of business and dispense with the reading of the minutes and the reports from the committees, Dr. Trueheart offered the following resolution and moved that it be adopted: “Be it resolved by the Board of Health and the Auxiliary Health Board of the city of Galveston, General Thomas Scu
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RESTORATION OF GALVESTON.
RESTORATION OF GALVESTON.
An intelligent and well-posted citizen, writing to the leading journal of the city, expressed the following sentiments: “The restoration of Galveston is a question which does not alone interest the people of the stricken city, but all Texas as well. The discussion now going on is not confined to Galveston, but is on the lips of every public-spirited citizen of the State. The preponderance of opinion among the people of the interior is that the city will be rebuilt or restored upon a scale of mag
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A MATTER OF HISTORY.
A MATTER OF HISTORY.
“In 1715, Governor Caspardo Awaya established the Orquisaco mission on Galveston bay and made a thorough exploration of the island. In 1816 the Mexican envoy to the United States, General Herrera, and Commodore Ansy took formal possession of Galveston island in the name of the Mexican republic, and from that time until now the history of the island is a connected, well-authenticated story, and as much is known of its climate, soil, products, temperature, rainfall, wind storms, etc., as any part
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MANY DESTRUCTIVE AGENCIES.
MANY DESTRUCTIVE AGENCIES.
“In the excitement and for the moment men forget that there is any other element or power, except water, that destroy towns, when in fact the cities of the interior have suffered more destruction from cyclones and storms than all the towns on the Texas coast from Sabine Pass to Brazos Santiago. Fort Worth is as liable to destruction as Galveston. In fact insecure residences in every section of the country is a harvest for fires, floods or cyclones, as was demonstrated in Chicago, Boston, New Yor
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THE SAME BELL.
THE SAME BELL.
“Up to Thursday night there had been no sleep in the city. True, exhausted nature had thrown men and women and children on their beds and they had closed their eyes and the physical strain had been to some degree relieved, but the mental strain was still at the breaking point. One man said that on Thursday morning he was awakened by the convent bell summoning the living to mass. It was the same bell that had rung or tinkled in the tone since the day of the storm. “He bounded from his bed a new m
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GALVESTON SAFER THAN EVER.
GALVESTON SAFER THAN EVER.
“On Friday I would not have given $10 for the place. On Thursday I would have given more for a lot than I would have given before the deluge and storm. Why? Because the pluck of the people came out through that night of rest. Galveston should be greater than it had ever been. That is what they said. Galveston was safer than before by the island’s weathering such a storm. That is what they said, too. They began to talk of their own pluck. We have stood so much, but the world will say that we stoo
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PREDICTIONS OF DISASTER.
PREDICTIONS OF DISASTER.
“For years and years people have said that when the right kind of storm came the island would sink under it or be washed away like a house of cards in a flood. It was supposed that the great currents which would rush across the island would dig bayous as deep as the bay. These would grow in width, and finally the great island would be cut into small ones, if it did not disappear beneath the waves. But the result of this greatest storm on record? Why, there is not, as far as I could hear, and I m
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“FOUNDED ON A ROCK.”
“FOUNDED ON A ROCK.”
“Attention was attracted to the house of Mr. J. H. Hawley, the brother of Congressman Hawley. He bought the property from an engineer who lived in Galveston some time about the flood of ’96. He said he would build him a house which would stand. He placed the foundations on an iron fence two feet in the ground. This foundation was of brick. In this foundation he placed the railing of the iron fence running up three feet. At the top he placed filagree brick work. His house was braced well and the
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EXTRAORDINARY PUBLIC CHARITY.
EXTRAORDINARY PUBLIC CHARITY.
“Subscriptions to the amount of perhaps $2,000,000 have poured in for their relief. The well-to-do Galvestonian is determined that this relief shall go to those who are poor, that they may to some extent repair their fortunes. The rich themselves will build. In a month from now every man in the place will have all the labor he can perform. Every person will be busy. The work of upbuilding will in some measure rub out the recollection of the horrors of the storm. The Huntington estate will contin
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RAIN ADDS TO THE SUFFERING.
RAIN ADDS TO THE SUFFERING.
Early this morning there was a sharp shower of rain—the first since the storm—which, while it lasted but a few minutes, showed how absolutely necessary it is to get the buildings of the town in something like their normal condition as soon as possible. In the Tremont Hotel, the rain over a part of which is the office, came in in many places—through parts of the roof itself, through the broken skylight and through the empty window panes. Out in the residence portion of the town the rainfall undou
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DISINFECTING THE CITY.
DISINFECTING THE CITY.
Satisfactory progress is being made in the work of removing the offending matter, and a large amount of disinfectants of various sorts is being used where it will do the most good. The fear of an epidemic is one which has probably caused a great deal of uneasiness among the people who have friends and relatives still in the city, but from the standpoint of a layman, who has formed his opinion largely from investigation and from physicians who are interested in the work of caring for the health o
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CLARA BARTON’S LETTER.
CLARA BARTON’S LETTER.
“The conditions here are as much as you will gather from what you have read. Like some other fields that we have visited, it does not admit of exaggeration. One can scarcely imagine how it could have been worse, and yet one sees the city full of people left alive; but when we think of the hundreds, and it may be even thousands, lying buried and decaying in great heaps of debris stretched for miles along the edge of what was once a town, it is hard to conjecture anything worse. “Supplies are comi
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GUARDING AGAINST FUTURE DESTRUCTION.
GUARDING AGAINST FUTURE DESTRUCTION.
“This city will be built up again, probably finer than before—and it was a fine city always—but I hope never without a protection from the storms. It is criminal to allow people perfectly unsuspecting to settle themselves and live on territory, however beautiful, that is morally certain at some evil moment of destruction. If Galveston is worth the possession that it is and has been to our country, it is worth its protection; therefore we shall see that it shall not fail to implore of the governm
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LODGED IN A LARGE OAK.
LODGED IN A LARGE OAK.
“In the early hours of the morning a rescuing party found the almost lifeless form of the young lady resting in the tangled branches of the large oak. She was carried to the home of friends and recovered from the shock. But the thoughts of her mother’s tragic death, and the strange feeling that she was responsible for it, weighed heavily on her heart and mind. The haunted thoughts racked her brain and slowly undermined her failing health until the end came, when the broken-hearted and weary spir
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FLOOD OF TELEGRAMS.
FLOOD OF TELEGRAMS.
Every class of work has its corps of officers and clerks and every communication or record is carefully filed in the proper place. Hundreds of telegraphic messages are received and answered every day. Orders are promulgated and duplicate copies distributed around the city and a thousand and one matters must be attended to and all of them require prompt action and attention. General McCaleb, who is in touch with the pulse of the community by reason of his office and who is familiar with the detai
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A MARVEL OF BRIDGE BUILDING.
A MARVEL OF BRIDGE BUILDING.
The construction of the bridge across Galveston bay has been a marvel of hustling, and the dispatch with which it has been done reflects the indomitable energy, good judgment and skill of the men who had it in charge. The work was not started on the bridge until Thursday of last week, because the material could not be gotten to the place, but when it was started Vice President Barr and General Superintendent Nixon said: “We will run trains into Galveston next Thursday.” Not many people expected
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GETTING THE TRACKS READY.
GETTING THE TRACKS READY.
When a reporter was at the island end of the bridge, at 9.30 o’clock yesterday morning, the Santa Fe track at the island had just been completed. The steel laying gang on the bridge was about a mile from shore, with the stringer gangs about half that distance away. The caps were laid up all the way to the shore. The Santa Fe has some pretty rough tracks for a short distance this side of the bridge, but the track through the west yards is in good condition and in fair condition the rest of the wa
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SUPERIOR TO THE CALAMITY.
SUPERIOR TO THE CALAMITY.
“It may take some time for Galveston to recover from the shock and the horror of its late visitation, the most destructive in its effects that has darkened the annals of the United States, but the pride and energy of its people may be counted upon to rise superior to even this calamity. Meanwhile the spirit of helpfulness and charity that has made the people of the United States conspicuous among those of all the world may be counted upon to aid in healing the wounds made by this signal disaster
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ONSLAUGHTS OF THE STORM.
ONSLAUGHTS OF THE STORM.
Of all those who took refuge there only two lost their lives, and those were in an outbuilding where some fifty-two had taken refuge. While the main building, where most of the people were, shook and trembled under the awful onslaughts made on it by the wind and water, and although the water kept coming up into that building until it stood three and a half feet deep on the lower floor, the building stood the shock bravely and not a life was lost in it. Only those who were there and heard the ter
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THE MEN STUCK TO THEIR WORK.
THE MEN STUCK TO THEIR WORK.
Notwithstanding this great danger and the hard task of handling the boats, the men stuck to it manfully. Not once did they stop for even a breathing spell. They realized the terrible danger that was before those who had not found a stable refuge, and stood to the work heroically. Many times were the boats almost swamped, and many times did the occupants and those who were pushing come within an ace of drowning, but looking death in the face and defying the wind and waters to do their worst, they
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IMPRISONED IN THE WRECKAGE.
IMPRISONED IN THE WRECKAGE.
At once men began a search and found the frightened and maimed refugees imprisoned down among the wreckage. The work of getting them out was begun. All were found to be alive except two, a child and a crippled woman named Mary Sweeny. Although the survivors were alive, they were horribly cut up and wounded, which was proof of the terrible night they had spent and of their awful experience. Then daylight came to present a picture such as none had ever seen and none ever cares again to cast his ey
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CITY GOVERNMENT THE SAME.
CITY GOVERNMENT THE SAME.
As far as the general public is concerned, there is to be no radical change in the general government of the city. The change means a shifting of the powers that govern from the military to the civil process, but the good work inaugurated and expedited under the able and efficient direction of General Scurry will be continued and hastened to an early completion. General Scurry and his military command will remain in the city, and will be continued in service for police and guard duty as heretofo
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SALOONS CANNOT OPEN.
SALOONS CANNOT OPEN.
“I want it distinctly understood that the suspension of martial law does not mean that the saloons may open up,” said Mayor Jones yesterday. “I desire ‘The News’ to announce that the saloons must remain closed until further orders and that no back or side door business will be permitted. The saloons were not closed under martial law, but were closed by my order before martial law was proclaimed. The proclamation closing them, therefore, holds good and will not be revoked until I am satisfied tha
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PLACE AND ORDER OUT OF CHAOS.
PLACE AND ORDER OUT OF CHAOS.
Mayor Jones stated to a “News” reporter yesterday that the people of Galveston are obligated to General Scurry for the way he has conducted the affairs of the city in this hour of peril. He has brought peace and order out of chaos and with a remarkable display of executive ability he has brought sunshine from darkness and gloom. Without the slightest friction, without disturbance of any consequence, and without aid or advice from anyone, he has wrought wonders and restored the city to normal con
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LAST TRAIN OVER THE BRIDGE.
LAST TRAIN OVER THE BRIDGE.
Mr. J. T. Grimes, of near Brandon, has a fine farm and is a substantial and reliable citizen highly esteemed and respected. He was in Galveston during the hurricane and related a remarkable experience. He said: “I left here Friday and got there Saturday evening. The storm was on when we got there. Our train was the last that went over the bridge before it went down. The water was then rising rapidly and nearly over the tracks. The conductor asked if any one had ever seen it that high before. Nob
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HOUSE WASHED TO FRAGMENTS.
HOUSE WASHED TO FRAGMENTS.
“We had to push it apart to get through in places, and some of them laughed and said push it to them, and I did so, and they began hauling it in. Nobody thought how serious it was, but looked on it as merely high water. A little later all those buildings along there were destroyed and all the people there drowned. Stufflebram had taken his wife up to Chilton’s and Clarkson also, because it was a little higher ground there. We finally reached it, on Twenty-second street, just opposite Harmony Hal
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THE OLD FAMILY BIBLE.
THE OLD FAMILY BIBLE.
“As time passes and we begin to realize that all is gone, there is a desire to find something, even if it is of no value, when the wreckage is cleared away. My wife expressed the wish that the family Bible might be found, be it ever so dirty and torn. It contained records that could be nowhere else secured, and if a new one is purchased and the records again written, it must be entirely from memory. “But though we lost all, we were among those families where no life was sacrificed in the storm,
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HARD WORKED CLERKS.
HARD WORKED CLERKS.
“The clerks are a hard worked set of people just at the present time. With the changes in overhauling the stock they have not yet become acquainted with the exact location of articles called for, and it requires a search to find them. This naturally retards the quick execution of business, and throws additional labor on those waiting on the customers. But order is rapidly being evoked out of the chaos existing after the storm, and in the course of time things will be moving along with their old-
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REASONS FOR BURNING RUINS.
REASONS FOR BURNING RUINS.
“Suggestions have been made to burn the pile of lumber of all kinds in the rafts, but this seems both impracticable and unadvisable, If it can be preserved, every stick and board will be of use hereafter. The only reasons for burning the rafts given are that it will cremate the bodies of the dead known to be in some and supposed to be in almost all of them. Sickness resulting from the decaying bodies is predicted if this is not done. But if it is attempted more loss of life is likely to occur fr
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A CHARITABLE PEOPLE.
A CHARITABLE PEOPLE.
“Galveston’s people have not in the past turned their faces against the suffering poor, and I do not think they will do so in the future. While strong, substantial buildings should be required in permanent structures, there is no reason why the wreckage should not be used in erecting temporary shelter for the homeless. Lumber promises to be a scarce article when once the resumption of building is begun, and every board, rafter and scantling on the pile of wreckage should be saved. “There is valu
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PREPARING TO LIGHT THE CITY.
PREPARING TO LIGHT THE CITY.
“While the damage to the municipal electric light plant is very extensive, there is a great deal of salvage and nothing to interfere with an early resumption of operations. Temporary sheds will be erected at once over the engines and dynamos and they will be soon put in condition for service. The principal mains, on Market street and Ball avenue, I find to be intact. The engines can be operated as soon as the steam pipes and the breaching to the boilers can be repaired. We will have the business
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OVERCOMING DISASTERS.
OVERCOMING DISASTERS.
“Despite our tremendous losses, we can save much and make good much if we have not lost our heart and courage. Galveston will be restored; if not by us, by sturdier men who are equal to the task. I was living in Chicago at the time of the great fire in 1871. Many men, and some of them of apparent good judgment, declared that Chicago would never be restored; would never rise from the ashes. Within one year there was a better Chicago than ever before. Four years ago I went through the track of the
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BOAT PASSING OVER TREE TOPS.
BOAT PASSING OVER TREE TOPS.
“It seemed to me only fifteen or twenty minutes before the fury of the storm struck us. I saw our boat passing over tree tops. I knew we were then approaching the bay shore, and possessing that knowledge as to when to leave a sinking ship, I procured some fifteen life preservers and gave one each to the crew, and told each man how to put them on and to follow me to the upper deck, and be ready to dive off when I gave the word. “They were all frightened nearly to death, and only two succeeded in
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GLARED AT THE THRONG.
GLARED AT THE THRONG.
He stood on the corner of Main and Congress streets in a half dazed condition. He glared at the great throng that was passing, some on business bent while others were seeking the latest news and hunting their relatives. He did not observe that he was being watched, nor would he have cared, for the expression upon his face showed him to be a man of great determination to be brave under the greatest misfortune of his life. You could trace in his every action a man in great sorrow. But he had to sh
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THE USUAL QUESTIONS.
THE USUAL QUESTIONS.
After uttering the last sentence be pulled his hat down over his eyes and he passed into the crowded throng that was headed down the street. He looked around and said: “There are hundreds of cases that are similar to mine, the result of this great hurricane.” “Was your father, mother, brother, sister, son or daughter or other relatives saved from the Galveston horror?” are questions that are frequently heard asked as friends meet and greet each other in Houston. “Yes,” said a gentleman speaking
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PIANO TOSSING IN THE WATER.
PIANO TOSSING IN THE WATER.
“When they had nearly reached a place of safety they noticed a larger wave than usual coming. Charlie saw upon its crest an upright piano being tossed about as though it were a feather. Would it miss them? was the question that flashed into both of their minds. “Onward it came, with its ivory keys, showing it was once a messenger of joy and happiness, but it was now a messenger of death, for with one mighty bound it went straight up into the air upon the foaming and frothy water and plunged stra
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ATTRACTED NO ATTENTION.
ATTRACTED NO ATTENTION.
So many are the stories, so harrowing the details, and so miraculous the escapes that for the present the experiences of different persons on the night of the storm in Houston attracted no attention; in fact, if a person wished to tell of his experience in Houston that night he could scarcely find an interested listener. Nevertheless, Mr. Fred. Chadly, who lives near the Arkansas Pass depot, came as near losing his life that fatal night as did any who passed through its fury in the city of Galve
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HOUSE ROLLED MANY YARDS.
HOUSE ROLLED MANY YARDS.
One of the experiences of the storm was that of Miss Reine Stanton of Houston, who, with her father and a younger sister, were camping on her farm two and a half miles from Letitia. The house rolled for a distance of 200 yards and then collapsed. The girls were rescued several hours later in an unconscious condition, but, though quite seriously injured, they may recover. All the buildings on the place were wrecked. “You have often heard that men are fond of the ‘jug,’” said one of the refugees.
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WANTED PALACE CARS.
WANTED PALACE CARS.
“We’ve rode in those Pullmans all the way from New York, and it’s a shame and outrage that you intend making us ride in a day coach now. We want those sleepers to live in.” She was wrathy, but when the colonel informed her that before the party got out at Galveston they’d have to walk on dead bodies, wade through slush and slime and have a tough time generally she’d think a day coach was a palace, she said no more. It is evident that some of the “relief corps” consider the trip a pleasure jaunt.
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JEWELS ON THE DEAD.
JEWELS ON THE DEAD.
He noticed a woman floating in the water, and he and a policeman turned her over, and attached to her bosom was a very fine gold watch with her name upon it. He called the policeman’s attention to the importance of securing the watch for future identification, and was given the same information. Mrs. John P. Smart returned from Galveston on board the steamer “Lawrence,” along with about 400 women and children. Mrs. Smart had been in Galveston for some three weeks, and came away on the first trip
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MAJORITY KILLED OUTRIGHT.
MAJORITY KILLED OUTRIGHT.
“There were a number injured, but the overwhelming majority were killed outright. The injured were taken care of at the Sealy and St. Mary’s hospitals, both of which were injured, but not totally destroyed. There are doctors enough in Galveston, but medical supplies are needed. “One pitiful incident came under my observation. Mrs. Baldwin clung to a raft for twelve hours, from six o’clock Saturday night until six Sunday morning, holding a child, a baby two years old, in her arms. The baby begged
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OCEAN GIVING UP ITS DEAD.
OCEAN GIVING UP ITS DEAD.
“The ‘Lawrence’ which at first was under the control of the relief committee and charged nothing for passage, now exacts $2 per capita to Texas City. Besides this, there are three boats in the service. The only way to get away from Galveston is to go by boat to Texas City, where there are about 1000 women and children and almost no accommodations. “The bodies have been all cleared away from the central portion of the town and there is a continual stream of corpse laden floats, drays, etc., to th
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ONE OF THE SADDEST CASES.
ONE OF THE SADDEST CASES.
“It was far removed from the city, and was in a section which was so badly storm swept that not a house remains. Mr. Jalonick came last week to take his family home, but the bad weather interfered and the trip home was postponed. Saturday the storm came, and when the two brothers, George and Ike, in Dallas, heard of the disaster they came here at once, to ascertain the condition of their brother and his family. They went to the former home and but a vacant spot met their anxious search for the h
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IDENTIFIED BY LAUNDRY MARK.
IDENTIFIED BY LAUNDRY MARK.
“It was a blue garment, one the brother had worn when with one of these brothers who was searching, and its color and cut brought to mind days when he and the lost one were together in happiness and in health. They investigated and turning back the collar they found the initials of their lost brother, as the garment had been marked by the laundry. This removed all doubt, and the body was put into a box and prepared for burial. It had badly decomposed, having laid for five days where the waves ca
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GALLANT WORK OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
GALLANT WORK OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
But one has not been told. The people of the west end of the city speak in the highest praise of the boys of No. 6 fire station, which is located on Broadway, near Thirty-seventh street. When the water was very high, they secured their horses in the basement of the Broadway school building, tying high their heads so that they would be saved, and they were all brought out alive. The men then worked manfully for those about them; man after man, woman after woman, with many children were brought ou
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MAN CARRIED THIRTY MILES.
MAN CARRIED THIRTY MILES.
Mr. A. A. Van Alstyne had a large quantity of provisions, such as rice, canned goods, etc., stored with him. He and his family escaped unhurt, and every since have been using their house as a basis of supplies for the needy in their immediate neighborhood. Mr. Henry R. Decie, who lives eight and one-half miles down Galveston island, was in Houston, and reports that he was at his home when the storm began, but took his wife and children to the house of Mr. Willie Raine, a close neighbor. After re
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HOSPITAL OVERCROWDED.
HOSPITAL OVERCROWDED.
“‘Alkali Ike,’ they call Dr. Crossway, that is because he is tall and rawboned and comes from Texas himself. If a man gets a nickname in this part of the world you know that he is loved. The women and children who came from the district where ‘Alkali Ike’ is working know his name and their eyes fill with grateful tears at the mention of it. The hospital at Galveston is well named. The corps is effectively organized and we hear from there that they are doing splendid work. Our own hospital here i
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SUFFERING UNTOLD AGONY.
SUFFERING UNTOLD AGONY.
“A boy of twelve was brought in who has been suffering untold agony from an injury to his eye for four days. He has not had a soul to help or to speak to him, and all he has had to eat in that time was a handful of crackers. A woman came in at 11 o’clock last night. She had a baby in her arms and three children hanging to her skirts. None of them had tasted food for nearly three days. “A young girl was brought in by one of the outside corps at 9 o’clock last night. The relief corps found her hud
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WOMAN DRIFTED NEARLY THREE DAYS.
WOMAN DRIFTED NEARLY THREE DAYS.
An instinct told Mrs. Qualtrough the truth. She asked what was the size and complexion of his wife, and how old was the baby. Looking at her strangely, the man described exactly the woman and child found at the International and Great Northern station. “I believe your wife is here,” was the extraordinary comment on his story. Calling to Mrs. Ward, the fish merchant, Mrs. Qualtrough asked her to take the man to Mrs. Glass’ home, and the husband and wife met. It was a pitiful scene, for while she
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FIRST CITY TO GIVE ASSISTANCE.
FIRST CITY TO GIVE ASSISTANCE.
Mr. Zwirn says Beaumont was the first city to get assistance into Galveston. He was present at a meeting of Galveston citizens when it was announced that a boat with ice and water from Beaumont had arrived, and he says the fervent thanks which went up from the gathering and the tribute one of the men paid to the Queen of the Neches made him feel proud of his residence here. “It was, however, not the fault of Houston,” said Mr. Zwirn, “that the Bayou City did not get supplies to the Island City q
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THE ARMY OF WORKERS.
THE ARMY OF WORKERS.
All foremen were ordered to report daily at military headquarters, where a large force of clerks were kept busy chronicling the amount of debris removed, the number of dead bodies disposed of, etc. Another force under command of Adjutant-General McCaleb was kept busy printing orders issued for the guidance of the work, laws governing the protection of property and the lives of citizens, etc. The militia was placed on guard duty in all parts of the city and the city police and sheriff’s departmen
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MILES OF WRECKAGE.
MILES OF WRECKAGE.
Six days of sunshine and seven nights of cool Gulf breezes have failed to draw the water held by the wreckage which, jammed into water-tight ridges, formed tanks to hold the salt water which inundated the city. While the ground all around these ridges is dry and hard, the removal of the top ridge disclosed several feet of water. At least 20 per cent. of the bodies recovered yesterday from the wreckage were taken out of water. A reporter who attempted to make a circuit of the rescuing parties wor
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FORTITUDE OF SURVIVORS.
FORTITUDE OF SURVIVORS.
“But it is all in the past now. We cannot recall our dead thousands. Wherever they sleep, beneath the tireless waves or under the arching skies, we will love their memories and recall as long as we live the unspeakable and mysterious tragedy which destroyed them. But it must be remembered that we have more than 30,000 living, and many of these are children too young to have their lives and energies paralyzed by the disaster which has overtaken us. “Our homes must be rebuilt, our schools repaired
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REBUILDING GALVESTON.
REBUILDING GALVESTON.
“There is much to hope for and to strive for, and we must hope and strive to save ourselves and meet the expectations of the world. The ‘News’ received a telegram last night from a great New York paper inquiring if Galveston would rebuild. The answer was sent back that Galveston did not intend to succumb to her crushing misfortune, but would again resume her place as the great port of the Gulf. This is the duty of the people here, and the ‘News’ expects in good time to see all the energies of th
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RESUMING BUSINESS.
RESUMING BUSINESS.
“A week in Galveston has made me still more confident that I was right in my conclusion. The work done during the past week has been wonderful, and within another week, I believe, every kind of business will be going on as before. We are again ready to receive cotton, and I have instructed our shippers to send it in. Before this business season is over we will be doing as much business as ever before, and before twelve months have passed our buildings will be restored. “I know that croakers will
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GREAT DETERMINATION.
GREAT DETERMINATION.
“I have given my attention since coming home to the restoration of the Gulf City compress and other property in which I am interested. We are going right ahead, with greater determination, to increase our business and to build up the city.” “I am glad to see you alive” is the greeting with which a Galvestonian now meets his fellow-citizen on the rubbish blocked streets of the once proud city by the Texas coast. Those who have not been here can not realize what it is to a man to meet a friend ali
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QUICK WORK NEEDED.
QUICK WORK NEEDED.
They are disposed of, not as humanity would direct, or as sentiment dictates, but as necessity demands, and it is not with the accompaniment of a clergyman’s prayer, or the simple words of the man of the cloth, that “God has given and God has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord; earth to earth, dust to dust and ashes to ashes.” Bodies have been consigned to that element which destroyed the vitality of the material—the water and the waves which came from the storm tossed Gulf of Mexico to
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NEW CHART OF BAY NEEDED.
NEW CHART OF BAY NEEDED.
A phenomenal thing has occurred in the bay. There are now bars there which have never before been seen. They are across from the Twenty-fifth street wharf and from the Twentieth street wharf. There may be others, but these two long ridges of sand have been noticed by the observing men who know the bay front as well as they know anything, and it is possible that when the water is sounded quite a number of these will be found in various places. It may require a new chart of the bay to determine th
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CLOTHED ONE THOUSAND.
CLOTHED ONE THOUSAND.
One thing developed by the storm that has not been commented upon is the manner in which the so-called “society men” have taken hold of things. They have worked like Trojans, every one of them, and have proven that the wearing of good and fashionably cut garments is no evidence of lack of manhood. Some of the first to go out in charge of gangs of men clearing away the debris and burying the bodies were the young fellows one meets at cotillions and fashionable functions. To-day their fair skins a
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FOR A MOTHER’S LOVE.
FOR A MOTHER’S LOVE.
He says he saw other men who were physically stronger than he do that very thing. Still he would not give up and he struggled on. He had no wife or child to live for—there was just one person in the world whom he fondly loved, and that was his mother. Every time, he says, that he decided to let himself go down beneath the water and drown his mother’s face would appear before his vision. Clearly and distinctly he could see the look of reproach in her eyes at his threatened weakness, and each time
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A MARVELLOUS ESCAPE.
A MARVELLOUS ESCAPE.
Harry Van Eaton, a well known traveling salesman for Tenison Bros., Dallas, was in the midst of the disaster, but saved his life in a marvellous manner. “It was the worst trial of my life,” he said with a shudder. “I shall never forget its horrors. I arrived in Galveston Saturday morning and immediately went to the beach with a party of us and for a while had a good time in bathing. But the waves soon became furious and we were notified by the life saving crew ‘to get out of the water as there w
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PERILS OF A RELIEF TRAIN.
PERILS OF A RELIEF TRAIN.
One of the passengers on the first relief train that went out of Houston on Saturday evening, during the prevalence of the storm, to bring the people in from La Porte and Seabrook, gives the following description of the trip: “Little did we know what trials were before us as we started out for La Porte and Seabrook at 8 o’clock on that fatal Saturday night. But we did know our loved ones were in danger, and with a brave volunteer crew in charge of the train, and trusting to the good God above to
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DIFFICULTIES OF A TRAIN.
DIFFICULTIES OF A TRAIN.
“After a considerable delay the train started on. At West La Porte we found the depot blown across our way. All went to work cutting and moving timbers, and with the assistance of the wind, we soon had the track clear. We now had but one more serious place to get across before we could get to Seabrook. At last we reached it, and were in a few minutes across Taylor’s bayou, which we found to be a half mile wide and the waves four feet high. This bayou, in ordinary weather, is about fifty feet wid
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WANTED AT GALVESTON IMMEDIATELY.
WANTED AT GALVESTON IMMEDIATELY.
“24 plasterers, $4.50 per day and board paid; 30 bricklayers, $5.50 per day and board paid; 25 tinners, $3.50 per day and board paid; 100 laborers, $2.00 per day and board paid.” The old saying that it is an ill wind that blows good to no one is illustrated in this advertisement. Probably never before in any Texas city were workmen offered wages so high. Colonel Walter Hudnall, the representative of the Treasury Department of the Government, who was sent from San Antonio to Galveston, to investi
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MAYOR JONES’ STATEMENT AND APPEAL.
MAYOR JONES’ STATEMENT AND APPEAL.
Of the loss of life, Colonel Hudnall believes that it will be between 6000 and 8000, and he will so report. He will say that he does not believe that it is possible for it to be less than 6000 lives, and he would not be surprised should it be 8000. He calls attention to the fact that in places there are from forty to sixty solid squares of ground swept clean as a parlor floor, as far as standing buildings are concerned. Colonel Hudnall does not believe disease will result if the proper sanitary
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CONFRONTED BY A GREATER PROBLEM.
CONFRONTED BY A GREATER PROBLEM.
Grateful thanks are extended for the help received, and the address continues: “But a greater and a graver work confronts us. Some kinds of homes, be they ever so humble, must be provided for the 10,000 people now huddled in ruined houses, public places and improvised camps, to the end that they may not become paupers, but may speedily set up their households wherein repose all that is best and noblest in American life. We believe that the well to do and the charitable people of this nation will
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REVIEWING THE SITUATION.
REVIEWING THE SITUATION.
Reviewing the situation in Galveston, a correspondent communicates the following: “On Sunday following the storm all saloons were closed by order of the Mayor. On the following Sunday several saloonists began selling liquor on the quiet. They were arrested and taken before Adjutant General Scurry, who warned them they must not repeat the offense. A prominent saloon man was arrested for disobeying the order and was put to work in a street cleaning gang. Dr. Donaldson, chief surgeon of one of the
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A PECULIAR CONDITION.
A PECULIAR CONDITION.
The wheat in elevator ‘A’ is being turned over and put in shape to deliver to vessels. There were about 1000 cars of wheat on track here and most of these show a peculiar condition on inspection. It appears that in nearly all of them there is a foot of wheat on the bottom to which the water rose. It was salt water and the wheat caked so hard that the ‘tryer’ used by the inspector will not penetrate it. The grain above this water line appears not to have been damaged. The good grain was being tra
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DR. YOUNG’S GRAPHIC STORY.
DR. YOUNG’S GRAPHIC STORY.
The following very interesting account of the beginning of the great Galveston storm and graphic story of his experience was prepared by Dr. S. O. Young: “Tuesday morning, September 4, I was standing near the signal service officer who makes the weather bureau map each day for the Cotton Exchange. This is simply a large blackboard on which is painted a map of the United States. Wherever the bureau has a signal station the readings of the barometer, thermometer, direction and force of the wind an
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KNEW CYCLONE WAS COMING.
KNEW CYCLONE WAS COMING.
“For my own satisfaction, and at the request of my friends, I constructed a chart, outlining roughly the origin, development and probable course of the cyclone. From the Key West observation and the map of Tuesday I assumed that the center of disturbance was originally somewhere south of Cuba; that it moved to the northwest as cyclones always do at first, and that the storm had developed into a cyclone in the neighborhood of Yucatan; would move to the northwest and strike somewhere near the mout
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LARGE BUILDINGS FLOATED PAST.
LARGE BUILDINGS FLOATED PAST.
“From the bay I went to the Gulf side, and found the tide very high and the water very rough. At 2 o’clock I concluded to go home and look after things there. My residence was on the northeast corner of avenue P½ and Bath avenue. As both P½ and Bath avenues were low at that point, my sidewalk had been curbed up about four feet and the whole lot raised four or five feet above the level of the street. When I got home I found about two feet of water on my lot. I sat on my front gallery and watched
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THE ROAR WAS AWFUL.
THE ROAR WAS AWFUL.
“It was then getting dark very rapidly. I turned on my lamps, but, as I had anticipated, there was no electricity. I had found a candle and lit that, then I thought I had best save it, so I blew it out, got a comfortable arm-chair and made myself as comfortable as possible. Being entirely alone, with no responsibility on me, I felt satisfied and very complacent, for I was fool enough not to be the least afraid of wind or water. “About 7.30 o’clock I heard heavy thumping against the east side of
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POSTS BLOWN AWAY LIKE STRAWS.
POSTS BLOWN AWAY LIKE STRAWS.
“The new position of the wind and its increased violence caused a sudden rise in the water, and at one bound it reached my second-story and poured in my door, which was exactly thirty-one feet above the level of the street. The wind again increased. It did not come in gusts, but was more like the steady downpour of Niagara than anything I can think of. One of the front posts on my gallery blew out, split my head open and mashed my shoulder badly. I was knocked insensible for a moment, but pulled
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WIND AT 125 MILES AN HOUR.
WIND AT 125 MILES AN HOUR.
“The wind at 125 miles an hour is something awful. I could neither hear nor see when it was at its height and it was difficult to breathe. I am nearly six feet in height and estimating the surface of my body exposed to the wind at five square feet, my body sustained at that time a pressure of 390 pounds. I began to think my house would never go. The wind acted as if it thought so, too, for it got harder and harder and harder until finally I felt the house yielding. I took a firm hold of my door
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NEARLY FROZEN TO DEATH.
NEARLY FROZEN TO DEATH.
“The wind beat the rain on me and nearly froze me to death. I was never so cold in my life. I think I had at least a dozen good hard chills before the water fell sufficiently for me to wade to a house half a block away, a little elevated cottage of two rooms in which fifteen or twenty colored people, who forgot their own misery when they saw me bareheaded, covered with blood and shaking with cold. They pulled me in out of the rain, wrapped some half dry clothes about my shoulders to get warmth i
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TEARS IN MANY EYES.
TEARS IN MANY EYES.
“And the two pass on, the one light hearted, the other a smile glistening in his tear dimmed eye, both glad for what was left them. I saw a telegram to a Galveston woman from a sister in Houston with whom she had hardly been on speaking terms for years. It read: “‘Are you safe? Do you want any money? Come up to Houston and live with us.’ “Is there necessity of comment? I saw neighbors who had been quarreling and saying spiteful things about each other for months, riding down the street in the sa
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GRAND WORK OF RESCUE.
GRAND WORK OF RESCUE.
When Captain Plummer went home to dinner on that day the Gulf was rising very rapidly and the storm gave indications of greater severity. Having spent many years at sea, Captain Plummer called his two sons, who are sailors, and the three men launched the boat and started rescuing families in the neighborhood, taking them to St. Mary’s Infirmary. From noon until late that night the good boat and its faithful crew braved the terrific storm and are credited with having saved two hundred lives. On t
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STORY OF A PERILOUS TRIP.
STORY OF A PERILOUS TRIP.
She tells the story of her trip on the crest of the waves as follows: “It was about 2 o’clock in the afternoon when I first realized that the storm was increasing. Together with a girl-friend who was in the house, I packed my mother’s trunk and carried all of the household goods that I could and piled them in the second story to keep them from being washed away by the water, which was rapidly rising. During this time the wind had been increasing in velocity all of the time. “At about 4 o’clock m
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THE DYKES OF HOLLAND.
THE DYKES OF HOLLAND.
“The sturdy Dutchmen who threw their dykes across the sea, the Sicilians who terraced Aetna’s lava sides with vineyards, the people of San Francisco who rebuilt their city when it was cast down by earthquakes until at last they found a structural design that would resist the seismic influence that hold the Pacific coast in tremulous expectation; Chicago that has risen twice from ashes to finer and more secure architectural proportions, and Calcutta, whose existence has been marked by three begin
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A GREAT BREAKWATER.
A GREAT BREAKWATER.
“It was no accidental selection that caused Galveston to be built as it was upon a low island whose approach from the sea offered no harbor to ships and to whose low, sandy shores the products of the State of which she is the metropolis came only by artificial and difficult channels. The sweeping curves of the Gulf of Mexico reach its northern apex at or near this point, and it is there that the ships seeking the nearest approach to the cotton fields of Texas came, while the bay itself is as nea
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THE SWIRLING TIDES OF THE GULF.
THE SWIRLING TIDES OF THE GULF.
“If the visitor to Barnegat or even to the Inlet end of the island at Atlantic, will recall how a narrow channel of tidal water reaches back to the sedge fringed bays that extend from Sea Girt to Cape May, and quadruple the width of those interior waters, he will have a fair idea of the position and surroundings of Galveston. Across Galveston Bay the railroads make their approach over eight to fifteen miles of tracks supported by piling. “The waters of the bay are indeed navigable and through it
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TRYING TO MAKE A HAVEN.
TRYING TO MAKE A HAVEN.
“Great efforts have been made to give Galveston a harbor commensurate with her commercial enterprise, and in some ways success has attended these efforts. Long spurs of breakwater were built out on the principles of the Boca harbor at Buenos Ayres, with a view to enclosing an artificial haven for ships, but the prevalent southerly winds, the currents which they engender and the ceaseless tides have made this work one of great difficulty. A further obstacle has been the shifting, sandy bottom, wh
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THE CITY A PREY TO THE STORM.
THE CITY A PREY TO THE STORM.
“We have now the situation of Galveston fairly before us, and can understand how it easily succumbed to the violence of the late storm. It is true that the cyclone was of a potentiality which might have razed a more firmly built city, but probably in no other city in this country could it have caused such complete devastation. “In twenty-five years the city of Galveston and the coast line of Texas have had three visitations of tropical hurricanes, bearing death and destruction in their blasts. E
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SPILES WRENCHED FROM THEIR PLACES.
SPILES WRENCHED FROM THEIR PLACES.
“It was my fortune to be in Texas as a correspondent at the time and on the day of the storm at Houston, some sixty miles away, built at the head of Buffalo Bayou, and I was ordered to the wrecked city. At that time there was only one railroad, the Houston and Galveston, and it was utterly destroyed for over thirty miles of its length. The top structure on the spiling across Galveston Bay was, of course, swept away, but it was a remarkable fact as showing the violence of the storm that about one
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AROSE LIKE A PHOENIX.
AROSE LIKE A PHOENIX.
“But the city, although cast down, was not discouraged. It began to rebuild itself, and by Christmas of that year almost every trace of the awful calamity had disappeared. The question naturally arises why a population which had received such an awful warning of its exposed condition should not abandon what in a military term would be called an untenable position. The answer is obvious. They had something left there. Even the island, although distorted and out of shape, was still there and their
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ASLEEP OVER A VOLCANO.
ASLEEP OVER A VOLCANO.
“Perhaps the persistency of the people who dwell on the slopes at the foot of Mount Vesuvius offers the most striking illustration of disregard of danger against which no human provision can be made. With a volcano boiling on the verge of eruptions that are forever imminent they pasture their flocks and press their grapes, careless of the menace which familiarity has taught them to despise. The whole kingdom of Naples is marked by the same disregard of natural and uncontrollable danger. The stat
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MYRIAD LIVES LOST IN GREAT DISASTERS.
MYRIAD LIVES LOST IN GREAT DISASTERS.
“If you will refer to the statistical sources of information you will find that in one hundred and fifty years, a mere moment in the life of this world and its races, and add up the round thousands only and leave out the hundreds of lives which are charged to lesser lists the sum will reach 1,563,000 souls in the thirty-seven most important earthquake, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes and inundations that have visited the earth. It is, of course, impossible to give any sort of guess as to the accu
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CARELESS ABOUT ALL DANGER.
CARELESS ABOUT ALL DANGER.
“But even there, where such a loss would imply the sacrifice of one in every four persons inhabiting the territory so awfully stricken, the people still pursue their daily avocations, toil and rest, love, hate, mourn and die with the composure and ease of mind that prevail in Philadelphia or New York, where no shadow of storm is known to hover and where no devastating earthquake or fiery volcano lurks for victims. But, of course, these awful figures have very little relation to the actual losses
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LAWS REGULATING STORMS.
LAWS REGULATING STORMS.
“So the loss in battles always begins to be told in numbers that occasionally would require more than the combined forces of the two armies to supply. The first reports of Shiloh or Pittsburg Landing, in the early days of the Civil War, is a case in point. Had we fought on at the rate given then the country would not have had a male person in its population a year before the date of Appomattox. So that we can hope every day will reduce the number, although it cannot lessen the horror otherwise,
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FREAKS OF THE HURRICANE.
FREAKS OF THE HURRICANE.
“Then the behavior of the storm with reference to its movements becomes almost fantastic. It was as if its controlling spirit had received a notice of the warning that had preceded it and the preparations of commerce to defend itself from its attacks. Therefore it made a feint demonstration upon the Atlantic Ocean, and suddenly turning fairly about in its course flew westward out of barometric supervision to seek a more vulnerable spot. Galveston was open to it, and sweeping across the gulf, fro
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GREAT DARING SHOWN.
GREAT DARING SHOWN.
In point of detail his story corresponds with the many others that are told of that night, but it is one of great daring also, one in which quick action and a trust in Divine Providence played an important part. Irvin was living with his happy family in a little story and a half cottage near the corner of Nineteenth street and Avenue O ½ before the storm, but now all of that happy home is gone, and two of that happy family are no more. It was early in the afternoon that the water began rising ou
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EIGHT CHILDREN THROWN OUT OF WINDOW.
EIGHT CHILDREN THROWN OUT OF WINDOW.
So, having no time for a second thought, he picked up one of those eight children, whose life was part of his and who made his life worth living, and with a prayer tossed him out of the window, to alight on what he did not know, if to alight on anything. But he thought, and wisely, as circumstances proved, that they would have a better chance in the open than in a falling house. He risked their falling into that turbulent sea and sinking, never to come up, to leaving them in the building to be m
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THE MOST REMARKABLE EXPERIENCE.
THE MOST REMARKABLE EXPERIENCE.
As soon as possible he sent the children to relatives in Houston. In the meantime his wife had been taken to the Sealy hospital suffering from the injuries she had received during the storm. At this time he realized that he was hurt also and went to the temporary hospital at the Custom House, where he stayed for several days under treatment. It was while he was there that the last sad chapter was added to his story. While there confined to his bed, his wife died in the Sealy hospital, and he had
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WATERS OF BAY AND GULF MEET.
WATERS OF BAY AND GULF MEET.
The south jetty, which marked the northern and eastern boundaries of the reservation, pointed its long line of rail-capped rocks five feet above the tide before the storm. But when the northeast gale backed the waters of the bay against the stone wall and the storm swelled the bay out of its banks, the water rose above the jetty and swept like a millrace to meet the waters of the gulf, which came running in from the southeast. This was early in the afternoon, and as the hurricane increased in ve
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RISES TO A HEIGHT OF SIXTY FEET.
RISES TO A HEIGHT OF SIXTY FEET.
Fort Point lighthouse is situated two miles from the city. It is a six-sided iron structure rising above the water to a height of about sixty feet. It stands about 300 feet south of the jetty, and the water up to the time of the storm was never over two feet in depth around the house. At times it was dry, but usually only a few inches of water played around the iron screw piles, which were screwed into the sand about eighteen feet, and upon which the iron superstructure is supported. The metal f
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STORM HOWLS A DEATH WARNING.
STORM HOWLS A DEATH WARNING.
Colonel Anderson is seventy-three years of age and his wife some years his junior. No human mind can picture their experiences on that night of nights. Words are inadequate to convey an idea of the feelings of this devoted couple while the storm cried out its death warning and these two mortals prepared for the end which they were so sure was at hand. To attempt to leave the home would have been madness itself, but this thought was not for a moment entertained. The colonel would never desert his
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PREPARED FOR THE WORST.
PREPARED FOR THE WORST.
Two hours after Captain Haines’ attempt, the life saving station collapsed and Mrs. Haines, the nearest neighbor of the lighthouse keeper’s family, and one of the crew were killed. As the shades of night began to fall the destruction in and about the Point was about complete, and the keeper of the light and his faithful companion withdrew to prepare themselves for the worst. From the sleeping room of Colonel Anderson a stairway, winding around a steel post, which extends from the top of the ligh
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IN DANGER OF STARVATION.
IN DANGER OF STARVATION.
This is just the plain story of what happened on that fateful night, but the sufferings of the next few days were even greater to the keeper and his wife. There were no provisions in the house and the supply of vegetables, fuel and fresh water in the “basement” had been washed away. The water around the house even after the tide went out was over ten feet deep. The life boat had been stolen by the storm, and not even a plank to serve as a raft was to be found on the premises. Having weathered th
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THE COLONEL A NOTED CHARACTER.
THE COLONEL A NOTED CHARACTER.
Two weeks after the storm the situation had been somewhat improved, but the fresh water supply had been exhausted and when a News reporter visited the home Colonel Anderson and his wife were praying for rain that they might catch a supply of heaven’s dew in a tub which had been placed under the spout from the roof. The light house tender Arbutus had sent a man who repaired the damaged light tower, but the aged couple were left to their own resources to get water and food. The reporter, who had b
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Templars of Honor and Temperance.
Templars of Honor and Temperance.
To the News: The Templars of Honor and Temperance sustained the loss of nine of its members during the late storm in our city, as follows: The latter two were members of Temple No. 33, the others of Temple No. 31.    ...
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