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
“In the business district not a building escaped injury. The Grand Opera
House is caved in, and the fourth story of the Hotel Grand, a part of
the same building, was blown off. The third story of the City Hall was
blown away. The three story building of the Ritter Cafe was demolished,
and crashed into the rear of the News Building. The fourth story was
torn from the Moody Building, at Twenty-second street and the strand.
The Masonic Temple was partially unroofed and the tower torn away. The
upper stories of the Harmony Club Building were caved in, and the frame
building across the street was demolished.
“Among other buildings damaged or destroyed was the Galveston Orphans’
Home, all the children being reported unhurt. The Sacred Heart Church,
one of the largest churches in the city, is a total wreck. St. Mary’s
University, adjoining it is considerably damaged, and the athletic
building was destroyed. The First Baptist Church is a wreck. The
parsonage adjoining St. John’s Methodist Church was wrecked. The Ball
High School building is badly damaged.”
“Over thirty persons were rescued from St. Mary’s Infirmary but quite a
number perished. A mother and child, a Mexican woman and child and an
elderly lady, while going to the cotton mills, were drowned. While the
mill was crowded with people the tower fell in, killing and injuring
several persons. Over one thousand persons sought shelter in the County
Court House. A lady and child from St. Louis, names not ascertained, who
were visiting the family of police officer John Bowe, were lost. Mrs.
Burns, mother of motorman Burns, and daughter, also perished, motorman
Parker, wife and children, were killed. Mrs. Benhill and child were
drowned.
“Three undertaking establishments are all being utilized as morgues, and
a fourth morgue was opened in a large building on the Strand. Some of
the draymen at first refused to haul more than one body at a time,
demanding the price for a full load for each trip. On Sunday evening,
however, the few who made this demand agreed to bring as many bodies as
their carts would hold. Owing to the streets being full of debris it is
only possible to use the two-wheeled carts.
CARING FOR THE DEAD.
“Many of those who escaped tell of thrilling experiences. Mr. and Mrs.
James Irwin got out on the roof of their dwelling. They were seated on
the side of the comb, and when the building blew over they floated off
separately on sections of the roof. Mrs. Irwin was on the raft alone all
night. Mr. Irwin, who had found refuge at the Ursuline Convent, and who
despaired of seeing his wife again, heard a cry for help. Hoping to
rescue a human being, he pulled off through the water, and was surprised
and overjoyed to find his wife still afloat on the roof.
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