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

MILITARY RULE NEEDED.

Major Lloyd P. Fayling, who was so prominent in the organization of the first relief effort, was asked what solution of the present disorganization of the policing powers he would suggest. The Major dictated the following:

“The situation demands Federal aid. It demanded it from the very first. An experienced United States army officer of high rank should be put in command here, preferably one who has seen years of active service. A regiment of regular soldiers would absolutely control the situation where any number of militia might meet with difficulties. The disaster is so great and so terrible no municipal authority in the country could be expected to handle it unaided.”

The first real attempt to clear away the great mass of debris piled along the beach front for a distance of several miles was begun on the 14th. Advertisements were printed in the papers, which appeared this morning, asking for hundreds of men and boys to do this work. A multitude responded. They were formed into squads and promptly put to work, with police and deputy sheriffs in charge. It is hoped that a vigorous prosecution of this work will lead to the early recovery of bodies still in the debris. That there are many of them there is no shadow of a doubt. It is difficult, indeed, to imagine how half the people who did escape got free from this fearful flotsam and jetsam.

An Associated Press representative traversed the beach for some distance, and the stench at different points was absolutely sickening. Everywhere little groups of men, women and children, some of them poorly provided with raiment, were digging in the ruins of their homes for what little household property they could save. In many cases those seeking their former residences were utterly unable to find a single remnant of them, so hopeless is the confusion of timber and household furniture.