The Great Galveston Disaster: Containing a Full and Thrilling Account of the Most Appalling Calamity of Modern Times Including Vivid Descriptions of the Hurricane and Terrible Rush of Waters; Immense Destruction of Dwellings, Business Houses, Churches, and Loss of Thousands of Human Lives; Thrilling Tales of Heroic Deeds; Panic-Stricken Multitudes and Heart-Rending Scenes of Agony; Frantic Efforts to Escape a Horrible Fate; Separation of Loved Ones, etc., etc.; Narrow Escapes from the Jaws of DeLester, Paul
Philosophy
The Great Galveston Disaster: Containing a Full and Thrilling Account of the Most Appalling Calamity of Modern Times Including Vivid Descriptions of the Hurricane and Terrible Rush of Waters; Immense Destruction of Dwellings, Business Houses, Churches, and Loss of Thousands of Human Lives; Thrilling Tales of Heroic Deeds; Panic-Stricken Multitudes and Heart-Rending Scenes of Agony; Frantic Efforts to Escape a Horrible Fate; Separation of Loved Ones, etc., etc.; Narrow Escapes from the Jaws of De
Lester, Paul
Floods -- Texas -- Galveston -- History -- 20th century; Galveston (Tex.) -- History -- 20th century; Hurricanes -- Texas -- Galveston -- History -- 20th century
“One case I particularly noticed—that of a woman and five young
children, whose house fell on top of them, but, fortunately, in such a
way as to protect them from the force of the waves and wind. Several
attempts were made by various parties to rescue this family, but the
rescue parties always returned with the statement that on account of the
debris and the swift current they were unable to get near enough to the
house to render any assistance. The first attempt was made about 6
o’clock in the evening.
“They were eventually given up for lost, when, to the surprise of
everyone, cries for help were heard from the ruins about 5 o’clock in
the morning. Appeals were again made to some of the white men in the
house to go to their relief, but, I am very sorry to say, they were in
vain until finally two colored men who worked in the kitchen and one of
the whites volunteered their services and succeeded in bringing the
party to the hotel. They had practically nothing on them when they came,
but they were taken in hand and the best done with them in the way of
giving them clothing and food that was possible. There were so many
cases of this kind that, as I say, it is simply a repetition of the
experience of others.
DRUNKEN REVELRY IN THE STREETS.
“On Sunday morning, immediately after the storm and as soon as daylight
appeared, the scene on the streets was one I shall never forget. There
were drunken women, almost nude, with their male companions, also under
the influence of liquor, parading the streets and laughing and singing
as if returning from a prolonged spree. There were some of the best
citizens of Galveston hurrying to and fro, asking this one and that one
if they had heard anything of their sisters, wives or some other member
of their families.
“There were others who had been present when their families had
perished, weeping and wailing over their losses, young children crying
for their parents who had perished, parents crying for the loss of their
children, and others walking aimlessly about or standing around as if
they were stunned. Everyone appeared so thoroughly unnerved that there
was a total lack of organized effort to search for the missing or to
collect food.
“Almost immediately after the waters receded sufficiently to permit
people to wade or walk in safety men and women could be seen with their
long poles and baskets, whose principal aim and object seemed to be to
profit by the misfortunes of the poor people who had lost their lives or
their homes. On Sunday afternoon I took a walk out Tremont avenue to
inquire as to the safety of some of my friends who lived on that street,
and after making a few visits proceeded to the beach to witness the
destruction that had taken place in that neighborhood.
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