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

MAYOR JONES’ STATEMENT AND APPEAL.

Of the loss of life, Colonel Hudnall believes that it will be between 6000 and 8000, and he will so report. He will say that he does not believe that it is possible for it to be less than 6000 lives, and he would not be surprised should it be 8000. He calls attention to the fact that in places there are from forty to sixty solid squares of ground swept clean as a parlor floor, as far as standing buildings are concerned. Colonel Hudnall does not believe disease will result if the proper sanitary precautions are taken, and this is being done as fast as the laborers can distribute the quicklime and carbolic acid.

As he was leaving he was asked regarding his idea of the future of Galveston. He said: “If the expression of the people who live here is to be my guide in forming an opinion I will say that Galveston will be rebuilt and will be a prosperous city. There is no doubt that the property owners expect to go to work repairing the damage as far as they can.

“There has been a great deal said about martial law,” continued the colonel. “The city is yet under the control of the mayor, and civil law is in force. The soldiers are being used simply to enforce the civil law and to maintain a discipline which is necessary under the disturbed conditions. The soldiers do not work a hardship on any one.”

A statement and an appeal addressed to the American people, signed by Mayor Jones and members of the Relief Committee, and endorsed by Governor Sayres, was issued September 25th. It set forth in detail the extent of the disaster which overtook the city, in part as follows:

“Seventeen days after the storm at Galveston it is still impossible to accurately estimate the loss of life and property. It is known that the dead in the city will number at least one sixth of the census population. The island and adjacent mainland will add perhaps 2000 to this number. Actual property damage is incalculable in precise terms, but we have the individual losses, and losses in public property, such as paving, water works, schools, hospitals, churches, etc., which will easily amount to $30,000,000. This estimate takes no account of the direct and indirect injury to business. Along the beach front upwards of 2600 houses, by actual map count, were totally destroyed. Moreover, we estimate that 97½ per cent. of the remaining houses throughout the city were damaged in greater or less degree. In fact none entirely escaped.”