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 — John Shaqi
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
“Telegraphic communication was opened late this afternoon with Beaumont
and Orange on the other extreme end of the Gulf to the eastward of
Galveston. The joyful news was contained that those two towns and Port
Arthur were safe, but in the territory adjacent, forty miles wide and
100 miles long, many lives are believed to have been lost and immense
property damage sustained.
“Conservative estimates of the property losses, including commercial and
other material interests at Galveston and Houston, put the total at from
$40,000,000 to $50,000,000 for the State. This includes the damage to
cotton, which is placed at 250,000 bales. John Clay, one of the foremost
men in the cotton trade at Dallas, addressed wire inquiries to all
accessible points in the cotton growing districts of Texas concerning
crop losses. He states they will reach ten per cent. of the State’s
crop. Spot cotton sold at ten cents per pound on the market, an advance
of half a cent a pound over Saturday’s best figures.
RELIEF WORK STARTED.
“Relief work for the Galveston sufferers started in Dallas vigorously on
receipt of an appeal from Governor Sayers. The City Council appropriated
$500. A mass meeting of citizens appointed soliciting committees, as did
also the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. Fully $10,000 in cash had
been subscribed by night.
“A special train was started for Houston over the Houston and Texas
Central Railroad carrying committees of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias
and citizens to render aid and distribute relief in the storm districts.
At the request of many persons in Dallas a telegram was sent to Governor
Sayers by J. C. McNealus, Secretary of the Dallas County Democratic
Executive Committee, asking the Governor his idea as to calling an extra
session of the Legislature. Governor Sayers this evening replied as
follows:
“‘Telegram received. I will do nothing until I can hear directly and
authoritatively from Galveston except to call upon the people to render
assistance.’
“As there is approximately a surplus of $2,000,000 cash in the State
Treasury, it is reasoned that the citizens of Texas would endorse the
Governor’s action should he conclude to call a special session to
furnish public relief to the stricken sections of the State.
“A bulletin received at the Houston and Texas Central headquarters from
the headquarters of the company in Houston stated that a courier from
the relief force had just arrived. He stated that signal reports from
men sent forward to Galveston Island to the relief parties on the main
land read:
“‘Sixty dead bodies in one block. Six hundred corpses recovered and 400
more reported. People dying from injuries and sickness and for want of
fresh water. Survivors threatened with starvation and disease. Doctors,
nurses and fresh water needed at once.’