Story of a Brave Hero—A Vast Army of Helpless Victims—Scenes that Shock
the Beholders—Our Nation Rises to the Occasion.
When Galveston’s chapter of horrors had reached its crisis, when the
people were dazed, leaderless and almost helpless, so that they went
about bewildered and did little more than gather a few hundred of the
bodies which were in their way, a longshoreman became the hero of the
hour. It was not until Monday that the brave leaders, who are usually
not discovered in a community until some great emergency arises, began
to forge in front. They were not men from one rank in point of wealth or
intelligence. They came from all classes.
For example, there was Hughes, the longshoreman. Bodies which lay
exposed in the streets, and which had to be removed somewhere lest they
be stepped on, were carried into a temporary morgue until 500 lay in
rows on the floor.
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. He had to have helpers. Some volunteered; others were
pressed into the service at the point of the bayonet.
Whisky by the bucketful was carried to these men, and they were drenched
with it. The stimulant was kept at hand and applied continuously. Only
in this way was it possible for the stoutest-hearted to work in such
surroundings.
Under the direction of Hughes these hundreds of bodies already collected
and others brought from the central part of the city—those which were
quickest found—were loaded on an ocean barge and taken far off into the
gulf to be cast into the sea.
There were 38,000 people in the city when the census was taken a few
weeks before the flood. After a careful survey of the desolate field
since the storm and flood have wrought their sad havoc, the conclusion
is forced that there were in Galveston 25,000 people, or thereabouts,
who had to be fed and clothed. The proportion of those who were in fair
circumstances and lost all is astonishing.
Relief cannot be limited to those who formed the poorer class before the
storm. An intelligent man left Galveston, taking his wife and child to
relatives. He said: “A week ago I had a good home and a business which
paid me between $400 and $500 a month. To-day I have nothing. My house
was swept away and my business is gone. I see no way of re-establishing
it in the near future.” This man had a real estate and house renting
agency.
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 worthy get on their feet
and make a fresh start. Some people will leave Galveston. It is plain,
however, that nothing like the number expected will go. Galveston is
still home to the great majority. Those who can stay and live there will
do so. If the country responds to the needs in anything like the measure
given to Johnstown, Chicago, Charleston and other stricken cities and
sections, Galveston as a community will not only be restored, but will
enter upon a greater future than was expected before the storm.
Since Tuesday there has been no doubt of Galveston’s restoration. From a
central organization the relief work was divided by wards. A depot and a
sub-committee were established in each ward of the city.
“They who will not work shall not eat,” was the principle adopted when
the organization was perfected. Few idle mouths are being fed in
Galveston. There are, however, the fatherless, and there are widows, and
there are sick who must have charity. But the able-bodied are working in
parties under the direction of bosses. They are being paid in food and
clothing. In this way the Relief Committee is within the first week
meeting the needs of the survivors, and at the same time is gradually
clearing the streets and burning the ruins and refuse.
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
this storm.
It took on the part of the public-spirited men a good deal of boldness
to lay down the law that the support tendered by the country must be
earned and to enforce it. But before two days had passed the whole
community was at work cheerfully. A tour through the city, up one street
and down another, showed the greatest activity. Thousands and not
hundreds of men were dragging the ruins into great heaps and applying
the torch. Occasionally they came on the remains of human beings and
hastily added them to the blazing heaps. But it is notable that much
less is said now about the dead than during the early days. The minds of
the people who survived have passed from that phase of the calamity.
A soldier standing guard at a place on the beach where these fires were
burning thickly was asked if the workers were still finding bodies.
“Yes,” he replied, “a good many!” That was all. Three days ago the same
soldier would have gone into particulars. He would have told how many
had been found in this place and in that.
The commander of one of these squads came into headquarters to deliver a
report to Colonel McCaleb. He had nothing to say about bodies, but
wanted to tell that a trunk in fairly good condition, with valuable
contents, had been taken out of one heap, and that the owner might be
found through marks of identification which he had noted. So it goes;
the thought is of the living rather than of the dead.
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 may now hope to save.
One of the strongest impressions that is gained of the work of
restoration is from the sights in front of the stores. Merchants and
clerks are overhauling stocks. Where the articles are such that it can
be done they are carried out in front of the stores and spread in the
sun to dry. Tons of dry goods, clothing, hats and caps, boots and shoes
are spread in the streets and on the pavements, so that in places it is
difficult to get past.
In these stores the watermarks on the walls and shelves varies from
waist to shoulder high. Everything below these levels was saturated. The
loss of stocks affected by water is very great. But the disposition of
the storekeepers to make the best of it and to save something, even if
badly damaged, is cheering.
Full of confidence and even optimistic are the expressions of the men
who have taken the lead in this crisis. Said Colonel Lowe, of the
Galveston News: “In two years this town will be rebuilt upon a scale
which we would not have obtained so quickly without this devastation.
“I took it for granted that when the Southern Pacific management said to
its representatives, as it has said: ‘Build a bridge ten feet higher
than the old one and put on a double force to do it,’ our future was
assured. We shall go forward and create the city. We shall have some
restrictions as to rebuilding lines, especially on the beach side, where
the greatest losses were sustained. The ramshackle way in which too much
construction has been done heretofore will be of the past.”
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 their
arrangements to save that grain and export it. Robinson, the inspector,
said:
“Without more rain for a few days, say six or eight, we shall begin
loading that wheat on ships for export. Don’t you believe anything you
hear about permanent damages to Galveston as the result of the storm.
“We have got the grandest harbor here. Why, our channel instead of being
filled by the storm carrying sand into it was scoured two feet deeper
than it was before. We had then twenty-eight to twenty-nine feet of
water. We have now thirty feet.
“None of the danger of sickness that was feared has shown itself. We are
getting rid of the wreckage, and we are scattering car loads of lime and
other disinfectants everywhere. I believe all danger is passed. Talk
about Galveston giving up!” continued Mr. Robinson, “This great wharf
property is worth $18,000,000. It sustained a loss of less than
$500,000.
“The company has 1000 men at work on the repairs. It stared eternity in
the face Saturday night, and was ready to go. To-day I have got more
energy and ambition than I ever had. I don’t know where I got it. I
guess God gave it to me. Come back in sixty days, and you will not know
Galveston, remembering it as you see it to-day.”
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 the blinds torn off and all the windows blown in.
Glass was flying in all directions and the water had risen to a level
with the gallery. Then the men told us we would have to go to a house
across the street.
“It took two men to each woman to get her across the street and down to
the end of the block. Trees thicker than any in our yard were whirled
down the street and the water looked like a whirlpool. I came near
drowning with another girl. It was dark by this time, and the men put
their arms around us and down into, the water we went.
“I spent the night—such a horrible one!—wet from my shoulders to my
waist and from my knees down, and barefoot. Nobody had any shoes and
stockings. The house was packed with people just like us. The windows
were blown out, and it rocked from top to bottom, and the water came
into the first floor. About 3 o’clock in the morning the wind had
changed and blew the water back into the Gulf.
“As soon as we could we waded home. Such a home! The water had risen
three feet in the house, and the roof being gone the rain poured in. We
had not had anything to eat since noon the day before, and we lived on
whisky.
“It was awful. Dead animals every where and the streets filled with
fallen telegraph poles and brick stores blown over. Hundreds of women
and children and men sitting on steps crying lost ones, and nearly half
of them injured! Wild-eyed, ghastly-looking men hurried by and told of
whole families killed. All day wagon after wagon passed filled with
dead, most of them without a thing on them, and men with stretchers with
dead bodies with just a sheet thrown over them, some of them little
children.”
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 is titanic yet, with the
generous aid that is floating to them from all parts of the civilized
world, born of a common humanity, that makes the whole world akin, aided
by their own indomitable purpose, the sick and wounded will be healed,
the destitute relieved and the recuperation of Galveston will be speedy
and lasting. It is the spirit that turns defeat, into victory, makes a
people strong, glorious and prosperous. You hear no complaining, no
expression of want of confidence, but of hope, zeal and determination,
and this is exemplified by the vigorous enterprise visible on every
hand.
“Although it is the Sabbath, work is being pushed under a systematic
plan of operation that is rapidly bringing order out of chaos. The
search and burial or cremation of the unfortunate victims within the
corporation limits of the city are being rapidly prosecuted by a large
force in squads under military direction. Down the island and on the
mainland the work of interring the dead is conducted with the same
system.
“As new conditions constantly develop, the cleaning up and disinfecting
the streets, stores and buildings go bravely on, and the sanitary
condition of the down portion of the town has been greatly improved, and
Mayor Jones stated to-day that there would be no let-up in the work
until the entire city was cleaned and disinfected. Dry goods stores and
clothing houses resemble great laundries, and every available space is
occupied with goods hung out to dry. Fortunately the weather is clear,
hot and dry for this purpose. Those merchants whose stocks were but
slightly damaged have done a rushing business, and so have the
restaurants whose stocks are very limited and fresh meats difficult to
obtain.
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 existing situation wonderfully. All
supplies are now brought in by boat, and these, being principally for
the sick and absolutely destitute, are being distributed with dispatch.
The injured and sick, under the thorough system inaugurated by the Board
of Health and local physicians, aided by volunteers from the outside,
are receiving every care and attention, and are doing as well as could
be under the circumstances, which are being improved daily.
“All churches in the city, either being wrecked or ruined, with but one
or two exceptions, divine services were in most cases suspended. Mass
was celebrated at St. Mary’s Cathedral this morning and was largely
attended. Father Kirwin preached a feeling sermon, at which he spoke of
the awful calamity that had befallen the people. After expressing
sympathy for the afflicted and distressed, he advised not to lose
confidence, for back of them the humanity of the world stands with
relief; to hope for the future and build a more secure, a larger and
better city.
“This young priest has done yeoman service in relieving and caring for
the wounded, comforting the bereaved and burying the dead. Bishop
Gallagher, who has also been earnest and active in his efforts, is in
receipt of a telegram from Archbishop Corrigan, of New York, stating
that his diocese would see that all Roman Catholic orphans sent to his
care would be provided for. To-morrow a census of the Roman Catholic
people will be begun to ascertain the number of widows and orphans
caused by the storm, and the exact number of families that perished.
“The Grand Lodge Committee of Odd Fellows were here to-day and organized
local relief committees to look after and care for the sick and
destitute of that order, for whom an appeal has been sent to the lodges
of the United States for relief.”
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 further from our thoughts. We expect to
resume work there as soon as we can. You can assure the people to that
effect.’
“Dr. W. H. Blount, State Health Officer, to-day printed a statement
showing that no apprehensions are justified that sickness will result
from the overflow just experienced. He shows that in 1867, in the midst
of the widespread epidemic of yellow fever, a severe storm occurred at
Galveston in the early days of October, resulting in a deposit over a
greater portion of the city of slimy mud. Not only did no sickness
result, but the cyclonic disturbance cut short the yellow fever
epidemic, and but few cases of fever occurred thereafter. In 1875 and
1886, when there were severe storms and no overflow, no increase in
sickness occurred.
“Several thousand men are at work clearing away the debris on the beach.
One hundred and fifty bodies were discovered in the wreckage and burned
Friday. No attempt is now being made to identify recovered bodies.
Indeed, most of them are found naked and mutilated beyond recognition. A
New York relief train has arrived with a number of physicians and nurses
and a large supply of provisions, which were distributed. Every effort
is being made by the postal authorities to receive and distribute mail.
No city delivery has yet been arranged for, and all who expect letters
are requested to call at the Postoffice. No mail is being collected from
the letter boxes.
“In some quarters of the city the Water Works Company is serving
customers on the second stories. This is taken as indicating the rapid
headway being made in putting the plant again in operation. The Street
Railway Company suffered a loss of a quarter of a million, and its
entire system is torn to pieces. An effort is to be made temporarily to
operate cars with mules.
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, where the finest residences were built, facing the gulf, and where
land was held at a higher valuation than in any other part of the city.
“For three miles along the shore of the Gulf this choice residence
property extended, but the shore line was so changed by the storm that
at low tide the water is 350 feet higher along the entire three miles.
In the eastern part of the city there are places where 350 feet is less
than the actual amount of ground taken from the city. It is a fair
estimate, however, for the entire distance. The foundation pillars of
the Beach Hotel now stand in the water. Before the storm there was a
beach in front of the hotel site nearly 400 feet wide. There is no
possibility of any of this land being reclaimed.
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 are seriously ill, with a
full corps of physicians and trained nurses. All public and private
hospitals are filled to their capacity with sufferers. Medical supplies
are still much needed.
“Banks and some other branches of business have resumed. Others are
actively preparing to resume. Preparations for rebuilding are already
going on in the business part of the city. The railways and the wharf
front are being rapidly cleaned of debris. The telegraph and telephone
companies are rushing their work. The Western Union has five wires
strung to their downtown office. The Postal will have some up soon, and
the full telegraphic service is expected to be re-established by the
close of the week. The cable connection has not yet been restored.
Business on the floor of the Cotton Exchange will not be re-established
for three weeks. The Exchange Building was partly unroofed by the storm.
“Many dead are reported as being yet unburied, especially in the extreme
west part of the city. The interment and cremation of human bodies and
the carcasses of animals is being vigorously prosecuted. Only about six
houses remain between South Galveston and the city limits. Of probably
1000 persons living down the island, at least one-third were lost. There
are 200 bodies on the beach between the Mott place and the city limits.
Eighteen persons in this neighborhood got together and began burying the
dead yesterday. They are out of provisions.
“Daily papers and illustrated papers have been most energetic in taking
photographs of the Galveston disaster. The town is under military law,
and the people are not inclined to brook photographers. Three
photographers who ventured out yesterday had their instruments smashed
and themselves pressed into service burying dead bodies.
“So much progress has been made here towards the rehabilitation of
Galveston, and so harmoniously are the various forces working, that
General McKibben, who was ordered here with his staff to assist the
authorities, has decided that his presence is no longer necessary, and
he has made arrangements to leave for Houston. After having largely
assisted in the restoration of local confidence, the withdrawal of
General McKibben is taken to mean that little is to be done here but to
take care of the distressed until normal business conditions have been
resumed. In this connection the information was made public through the
local representatives of the Federal authorities yesterday that the War
Department will undertake as soon as possible the restoration of its
property at this point.
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 the business community to proceed at once to the work of
reconstruction, and promising every help in their power. As a result of
the receipt of the message, Colonel Polk said yesterday:
“The railroad interests have decided to combine their forces in order to
rebuild as quickly as possible a bridge from Virginia Point to
Galveston. A large number of men will go to work in the morning with
this end in view. You may say to the country that in six days a bridge
will have been built, and trains will be running over it. I have had a
consultation with the wharf interests, and they have promised us that
they will be prepared to handle ingoing and outgoing shipments by the
time the bridge is finished. The bridge we will build will be of
substantial but temporary character. We will subsequently replace it
with a more enduring structure. There is no reason why Galveston ought
not commercially to resume normal conditions in ten days.”
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, and splendid
progress in clearing away debris has been made. The street car company
has a large force of men at work cutting wires, removing obstructions,
and putting their track in condition.”
The News correspondent telegraphs as follows from Houston: “Inquiries as
to the loss of life and property continue to pour in. The list will
never be known. There have been already handled on the Galveston island,
and along the bay shores of the mainland opposite the island, about 4000
corpses. The long stretch of debris along the beach and the western part
of the island has not yet been heard from. The prairies of the mainland
over which the waters rushed have also their tales to tell. I should
say, after investigation, that a conservative estimate of the loss of
life in Galveston would be 8000. The names of thousands of victims will
never be known. They have simply passed out of existence. As to the
property loss, it is hard to make an estimate. Colonel Lowes’s estimate
of $15,000,000 to $20,000,000 is conservative.”
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 people. There is not a home in Galveston that has not been
injured, while thousands have been destroyed. The property loss
represents accumulations of sixty years, and more millions than can be
safely stated. Under these conditions, with 10,000 people homeless and
destitute, with the entire population under a stress and strain
difficult to realize, we appeal directly in the hour of our great
emergency to the sympathy and aid of mankind.
“WALTER JONES, Mayor.”
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 outside world, and have already
partially succeeded, and I am assured that within the next few days
normal conditions with reference to telegraphic communication will
prevail.
“The situation in Galveston has been in most instances accurately
reported, and the distress of the people is great. Galveston and
vicinity need at once the assistance of all people. Remittances of money
should be made to John Sealy, Treasurer Relief Committee, acknowledgment
of which will be made.
“WALTER C. JONES, Mayor.”
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 to rebuild their
homes and buy stock and implements. They need food—flour, bacon, corn.
They must have seeds for their gardens, so as to be able to do something
for themselves very soon. Clothing is badly needed. Hundreds of women
and children are without a change, and are already suffering. Some
better idea may be had of the distress when it is known that boxcars are
being improvised as houses and hay as bedding.
“Only fourteen houses in the town of Alvin are standing on their
foundations, and they are badly damaged. While the great sympathetic
heart of this grand Nation is responding so generously for the stricken
city of Galveston, it should be remembered also that the smaller
towns—where the same condition of total wreck exists, though
miraculously with smaller loss of life—need immediate help from a
liberal people.”
The situation on Saturday, the 15th, is told in the following graphic
description:
“Under the firm rule of the military authorities, affairs in Galveston
are rapidly assuming a more cheerful aspect. The forces of law and order
are crystallizing every hour, and now that the people realize that there
is definite authority to which they can appeal they are going to work
systematically to renovate the city and prevent any possibility of
epidemic. The force engaged in burying the dead and clearing up the city
has increased steadily until now twenty-five hundred men are pushing the
work.
“Adjutant-General Scurry holds the town fast with a strong grip. He is
compelling all men whose services can be spared from public business to
join the forces at the work in the streets.
“The burial of the dead goes steadily on. All the corpses in the open,
along the shores or near the wreckage, have been sunk in the gulf or
burned in the streets. The labor of clearing away the debris in search
of bodies began at Thirtieth street and avenue O, one of the worst
wrecked parts of the town. Two hundred men were put at work, and in
thirty minutes fifty corpses were found within a space thirty yards
square. Whole families lay dead piled in indescribable confusion.
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
street; to the right, a mile to Fortieth street down town.
“Popular sentiment insists that the west end be burned, but the military
authorities have hesitated to give the order. Father Kerwin and Captain
Morrissey urge that the wreckage be fired at once, and it will probably
be done.
“Men are making ready to apply the torch. Fire engines are out on the
beach. A road runs through the wreckage separating it from houses not
wholly destroyed. When water is running freely in the mains the fire
will be started. Fires are burning at intervals all along the beach over
the gulf front, raising clouds of smoke, which stretches far along the
coast.
“The streets are clearing rapidly; many in the centre of the town are
to-day readily passable. Along the Bay and Gulf fronts, however, the
wreckage still chokes the streets. Sanitary conditions are steadily
improving. Physicians do not disguise the danger to the city, but do not
expect an epidemic. Five of them declared to-day that if the refuse was
completely burned, the streets were thoroughly disinfected and the
sewers quickly put in order, there would be no pestilence.
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 shipping. If Galveston can keep her prestige as a port her
revival is assured. All those who have helped to make Galveston what it
was are certain that it will continue to be the great port of the
Southwest. Not a man in town who has any property will desert the city.
Progressive citizens have been especially cheered by the news that the
English shippers will continue to patronize the port and by the generous
gift of $5000 from R. P. Houston, member of the English Parliament and
head of the shipping firm of R. P. Houston & Co., of Liverpool and
London. This contribution came in response to the news that one of the
Houston steamers, the Hilarius, was stranded on the Pelican Island.
“Business men know that if Galveston should go down its shipping would
promptly be transferred to New Orleans. But it is the glory of the
people of New Orleans that since the storm they have said not a word
against the rebuilding of this city, but have generously and nobly
responded to the appeals for Galveston’s sufferers.
“In spite of any ambition of rival ports, in spite of the timidity of
women and some men, the people of Galveston, patiently and soberly, with
loyalty and courage, are determined to rebuild on the ruins of this once
beautiful city a metropolis that shall prosper and endure. They are
determined to do this, in spite of the possibility that their homes and
industries may again be wrecked by storm. If you ask them why, they will
tell you, “No community is immune from disasters of this kind. It merely
happened that Galveston was in the path of the storm.” And then they
will go back to burying their dead.
“Captain Randall, of the steamship Comeno, which has arrived from New
Orleans, reports that coming up the bay he saw a great many human
corpses, and that the banks of Pelican Island were strewn with the dead.
Pelican Island is six miles from Galveston.
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 from Virginia Point to
Galveston. A large number of men will go to work with this end in view.
You may say to the country that in six days a bridge will have been
built and trains running over it. I have had a consultation with the
wharf interests, and they have promised us that they will be prepared to
handle ingoing and outgoing shipments by the time the bridge is
finished. The bridge we shall build will be substantial, but of
temporary character. We shall subsequently replace it with a more
enduring structure. There is no reason why Galveston ought not to resume
normal commercial conditions in ten days.
“So much progress has been made toward the rehabilitation of the city,
and so harmoniously are the various working forces working that General
McKibben, who was ordered here with his staff to assist the authorities,
has decided that his presence is no longer necessary, and he has made
arrangements to leave for Houston.
“The hiding place of three ghouls was discovered in a beached dredge
formerly used by the Southern Pacific Railroad Company. Three satchels,
filled with jewelry and money, were seized. The men, who are whites,
will probably be shot.
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 a schooner or a catboat was filled to its safety limit with
human freight, and the way was barred, women would gesticulate wildly
and in choking voice implore even standing room. Nine hundred refugees
left the city yesterday, and 10,000 more would have left to-day if
facilities were at hand.”
Excellent work in saving lives during the hurricane at Galveston was
done by the officers and crew of the revenue cutter Galveston, which was
stationed at that port.
The first mail through from the stricken city reached Washington on the
15th, and brought two letters from Chief Engineer W. H. Whitaker of the
Galveston. Under date of September 9, he says:
“All the sheds on the wharves must have been levelled to the ground, or
nearly so. I do not think there is a house that has not been more or
less damaged or blown to the ground. While the wind was blowing over
sixty miles an hour we sent out a boat with a rescuing party to row up
one of the streets. The first trip they succeeded in saving thirteen
women and children, and brought them back to the vessel in safety.
“It was useless to attempt to row the boat against the terrific wind,
and, as the water was at that time not over a man’s head in the streets,
a rope would be sent out to the nearest telegraph pole, and by that
means the boat could be hauled along from pole to pole. This was
accomplished only by the most herculean efforts on the part of the men
who led out the rope, but between swimming, walking and floundering
along in the teeth of the gale the rope would finally be made fast.
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
streets, the rescuing party was reluctantly compelled to return to the
vessel.
“On board the ship it was a period of intense anxiety for all hands. No
one slept, and it was only by the almost superhuman efforts of the
officers and crew that we rode out the hurricane in safety. With the
exception of the carrying away of the port forward rigging and the
smashing of all the windows and skylights, the vessel sustained no
serious injury. Not a single person on board was injured in any way.”
Under date of September 11 the same officer writes: “We think there have
been 5000 lives lost. I cannot begin to tell the number of houses blown
down or damage done. Our new distiller, which came down on the New York
steamer, has been set up on deck, and we are thus enabled to relieve
much suffering by supplying drinking water to the many who call on us
for relief. We have also furnished as much food to the needy as we can
possibly spare.
“All that can be thought of now is the disposing of the dead. Already
one steamer load and four barge loads have been sent out to sea. During
the height of the hurricane the tide rose seven or eight feet above the
usual high water mark and three feet over the wharves.
“There are five hundred men working to repair the city water works and
in the meantime we are furnishing all the water we can possibly distil
to the sufferers and aiding them in such other ways as lie in our
power.”
With a view to the restoration of the fortifications in the harbor of
Galveston, General Wilson, chief of engineers, organized a Board of
engineer officers, consisting of Colonel Henry M. Robert, stationed in
New York; Major Henry M. Adams, stationed in New Orleans; Captain
Charles H. Riche, stationed in Galveston, and Captain Edgar Jadwin,
stationed in New York, to meet in Galveston at the call of the senior
officer about October 20.
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 was received from General McKibben saying that there are
plenty of doctors in Galveston, but that disinfectants are badly needed.
“Washington, September 15.—In response to the request of your journal
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
5000. Bodies being cremated as fast as found. Many bodies under debris
not yet removed. Water supply limited. Very scarce now, but supplies
coming in rapidly. The only means of communication is by railroad to
Texas City, thence by boat, or by boat from Houston.
“Dr. Wertenbaker is at Houston and Surgeon Peckham and Acting Assistant
Surgeon Lea Hume are giving all the aid possible in Galveston. I do not
apprehend an outbreak of any epidemic of disease as a result of the
storm. The law and regulations are ample to meet the emergency.
“There is danger of sickness caused by unusual exposure and deprivation
of food and water, but the people of Galveston and the Governor and
other officials of the State and city appear to be thoroughly alive to
the necessities of the situation. Their disposal of bodies by cremation
is certainly a wise measure, and I am convinced that the native energy
of the people, supplemented by the tents and rations furnished by the
War Department, and the contributions which have been and are flowing in
from all parts of the country, will obviate the outbreak of widespread
disease.
“WALTER WYMAN,
“Supervising Surgeon General Marine Hospital Service.”
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 reports have been brought to Governor Sayers by
dozens of relief committees, which have been pouring in here from all
the cities along the coast pleading for assistance. In response to an
invitation from the Governor a special committee of Galveston citizens,
headed by Major Skinner, of the Galveston Cotton Exchange, arrived for
consultation with Governor Sayers.
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 the importation of 2000 outside
laborers for sanitary work, but he will recognize any drafts made by
Chairman Seeley, of the local Galveston Relief Committee, for such
moneys as he may want from time to time, and in such quantities as are
necessary, the same to be expended under the exclusive control of the
chairman and the local Finance Committee of Galveston.
“In addition to the Galveston plea for assistance, several relief
committees from other points were entertained by the Governor. The one
from Velasco, following the Galveston committee, stated that there were
2000 destitute there. Alvin reported 8000 in the neighborhood. The
Columbia District reported 2500, and several other towns reported in
proportion, Fort Bend County coming with a report of some 15,000 in that
county alone.
“In view of these reports Governor Sayers ordered bacon and flour to be
sent to Galveston, Richmond, Fort Bend, Angleton, Velasco and Alvin in
quantities ranging from 200,000 pounds of flour and 100,000 pounds of
bacon for Galveston, to 5000 pounds of the former and 20,000 pounds of
the latter as an emergency supply for Alvin. More supplies will follow
at once.”
Says one of our great newspapers:
“Galveston is showing the same splendid courage as Chicago thirty years
ago, before a less dire calamity, and the country as a whole is
displaying the same liberality. The Galveston News undoubtedly speaks
for the city and the citizens in declaring that the city will be rebuilt
and protected. Its channel, as one slight recompense, has been deepened
to thirty feet. There remains its protection by sea walls, and here the
General Government might well deal liberally with the stricken city.
Whatever Galveston port needs to protect and prevent the city from
another tidal wave ought, and we do not doubt will, be the liberal care
of Congress next winter.
“Much more remains. The insurance companies rebuilt Chicago, and
furnished the city with working building capital. Galveston has no such
resource. Like Johnstown the city has to be rebuilt and the houses
refitted. In the great flood of 1889 this was rendered possible because
all the great flood of relief was managed, methodized and economically
directed by the Johnstown Relief Commission, acting for the State. This
prevented waste, gathered together all aid and successfully rebuilt,
refurnished and re-equipped the destroyed homes.
“The Galveston disaster needs a like body. Food and shelter will before
long be provided. This is but a beginning. Contributions are pouring out
all over the country and organized work has not yet begun. Any sum
really needed by Galveston can be raised if it is asked by an
authoritative body, able to speak definitely and with precision of the
losses sustained by churches, hospitals, institutions and individuals,
and competent to distribute relief with efficiency and economy. If Texas
and Galveston put such a body before the country in complete control the
desultory giving already begun will be succeeded by organized,
systematic contributions equal to the great need, great as it is.”