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 Death; Terrible Sufferings of the Survivors; Vandals Plundering Bodies of the Dead; Wonderful Exhibitions of Popular Sympathy; Millions of Dollars Sent for the Relief of the Stricken Sufferers

by Paul Lester

DRUNKEN REVELRY IN THE STREETS.

“On Sunday morning, immediately after the storm and as soon as daylight appeared, the scene on the streets was one I shall never forget. There were drunken women, almost nude, with their male companions, also under the influence of liquor, parading the streets and laughing and singing as if returning from a prolonged spree. There were some of the best citizens of Galveston hurrying to and fro, asking this one and that one if they had heard anything of their sisters, wives or some other member of their families.

“There were others who had been present when their families had perished, weeping and wailing over their losses, young children crying for their parents who had perished, parents crying for the loss of their children, and others walking aimlessly about or standing around as if they were stunned. Everyone appeared so thoroughly unnerved that there was a total lack of organized effort to search for the missing or to collect food.

“Almost immediately after the waters receded sufficiently to permit people to wade or walk in safety men and women could be seen with their long poles and baskets, whose principal aim and object seemed to be to profit by the misfortunes of the poor people who had lost their lives or their homes. On Sunday afternoon I took a walk out Tremont avenue to inquire as to the safety of some of my friends who lived on that street, and after making a few visits proceeded to the beach to witness the destruction that had taken place in that neighborhood.

“Of course it has been told by several how everything had been swept off the face of the land in that direction, but I could not help noticing the large number of colored people with their baskets and shawls searching through the ruins of what had been the finest homes in Galveston for bric-a-brac, silver and other articles of value. I stood for some time, amazed that they could have the audacity to do what they were doing, but as nobody seemed to interfere with them or question their right, I passed on as every one else did, simply feeling astounded that people could be so inhuman at such a time. I saw one colored woman who had filled her basket and was returning to the city when she met one of the unfortunate owners of the property, who, by the merest chance, noticed sticking out of the woman’s basket some article that she was able to identify as her property.