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
John Stuart Mill · en
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.