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
The Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Company notified Chairman Sealy of the
relief committee that there was $5000 there for its use. The Santa Fe
has suffered great loss itself and is a flood sufferer of great
proportions in dollars and cents. Thomas Taylor, a cotton man, on Monday
bought $500 worth of men’s clothing, which he immediately distributed to
the needy. The other men of means are coming forward with donations for
permanent relief.
The Galveston Brewing Company suffered comparatively slight property
loss, although it will amount into the thousands. Their utility was not
impaired in the least, however, and they are making ice as fast as they
can, and selling it at the regular Galveston rate 30c. per 100 pounds.
During the storm the brewery building was the haven of between 300 and
500 people. The men employed at the establishment were instrumental in
saving between seventy-five and 100 people during the storm by going out
in it and swimming and wading as best they could, dragging the people
into safety in the brewery.
Captain Owens stated this morning that in the jumble of confusion
mention of the practical destruction of the towns of Arcadia and Alta
Loma had been omitted. At Arcadia there are about 150 people living.
Arthur Boddeker lost his life during the storm and two or three were
hurt. At Alta Loma two children of Mr. Steele were killed. There are six
houses standing. All the groceries at both places were damaged by water
and these people are in great need of provisions, medicines and food for
stock.
One old man was found this morning who stated that he had one hundred
kinfolks in Galveston and he is the only survivor.
Galveston was a place where there were large families by intermarriage,
many of which had been established when the city was but a village,
fifty or more years ago. These had lived here and increased until a
family of 100 was not improbable in the least. The case of this old man
is probably an extreme one in the line of annihilation, but others have
lost almost as heavily.
STEAMERS TORN FROM THEIR MOORINGS.
General Agent Denison was unable to give any definite information about
the movements of steamers out of Galveston. There are now three here.
The Alamo is aground on the north side of the channel, having been torn
from her moorings at the wharf during the storm and swept to her present
position.
Mr. Denison expressed the opinion that it might be possible that
dredging would be necessary to relieve the steamer. The Comal arrived in
port Monday and berthed at pier 26, but was unable to discharge much
cargo. She moved down into the roads Wednesday afternoon, driven there
because of the stench at the wharves and the impossibility of doing any
business. The Sabine arrived this morning and also anchored in the roads
to await an opportunity to discharge. The wharf is in bad shape for the
handling of cargo, being wet and muddy and torn up in a good many
places.