CHAPTER IX.
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.”