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
“Boysen’s mill is considerably damaged, the smokestack, some of the
windows and part of the roof being gone. Across the street the bonemeal
mill stands, with scarcely any north wall whatever. The Neptune Ice
Company, Eighteenth street and Avenue A, is almost a total wreck. A part
of the building is gone into a mass of debris while other parts remain
standing. The oil mill at Eighteenth street and Strand, suffered little
apparent damage except to the windows. A big blacksmith shop in
Eighteenth street, between Strand and Mechanic, suffered the loss of the
upper story entirely. These are but a few specimens of what has happened
all over the city.”
W. S. Abernethy, with the Chicago relief forces, wrote on the 15th:
“Yesterday was a day of anguish, as all the days of this week have been.
“There was no cessation of tear-stained faces appearing here and there
to tell of the lost. And it is a wonder if the end of this sad
divulgence will ever come. A motherless boy or a fatherless girl, newly
childless mother or father, or whatever it may be, they still come to
tell of their woe; and the stolid men who glide over the water or who
search the shore still bring in the swollen and unrecognizable victims
of the storm. It will end some day, and agonizing hearts may rest from
the painful throbbings of this hour.
“It is likely that Dr. Grant will increase his force to fifty deputy
marshals at once. He cancelled his political appointments in Ohio to
render this service to Galveston. Speaking of the disaster he said:
“It is the tragedy of the century, and is impossible of description. I
have never seen anything like it before, and I hope I never shall again.
As sorrowful as it is, however, I do not believe the people of Galveston
will give way to despair. There is still a great future for this city,
and those who survive must wisely realize the present and build to the
future.
“Such destruction is impossible of repetition, and all Texas will regret
if Galveston halts and refuses to improve the possibilities within her
grasp. The horrible past—and thank God it is past—with its innumerable
heartaches, is too awful to discuss.”
MAYOR SETS ALL AT WORK.
“Mayor Walter C. Jones has issued a proclamation revoking all passes
heretofore issued, and placing Brigadier General Thomas Scurry in
command of all forces. General Scurry has appointed Hunt McCaleb his
adjutant, and only passes signed by him will be recognized. All able men
without the passes will be put at work clearing the wreckage and burning
and burying the dead.
“At a meeting of the relief committee yesterday it was decided not to
pay for labor, but time checks will be issued and paid later. Only those
sick and those working will receive assistance from the relief
committee.”
HUGE TANK MOVED SIX BLOCKS.