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

SOUTHERN PACIFIC AT GALVESTON TO STAY.

“Galveston, September 16.—The news which was printed here this morning in the shape of a personal telegram from Vice-President Huntington, of the Southern Pacific, that that road is not to abandon Galveston, has created intense satisfaction, and has materially accelerated the movement for the speedy reconstruction of the city.

“Mr. Huntington’s telegram was to Mr. A. H. Belo, of the Galveston and Dallas News, and read: ‘I see it reported that we are to abandon our work at Galveston. Nothing is further from our thoughts. We expect to resume work there as soon as we can. You can assure the people to that effect.’

“Dr. W. H. Blount, State Health Officer, to-day printed a statement showing that no apprehensions are justified that sickness will result from the overflow just experienced. He shows that in 1867, in the midst of the widespread epidemic of yellow fever, a severe storm occurred at Galveston in the early days of October, resulting in a deposit over a greater portion of the city of slimy mud. Not only did no sickness result, but the cyclonic disturbance cut short the yellow fever epidemic, and but few cases of fever occurred thereafter. In 1875 and 1886, when there were severe storms and no overflow, no increase in sickness occurred.

“Several thousand men are at work clearing away the debris on the beach. One hundred and fifty bodies were discovered in the wreckage and burned Friday. No attempt is now being made to identify recovered bodies. Indeed, most of them are found naked and mutilated beyond recognition. A New York relief train has arrived with a number of physicians and nurses and a large supply of provisions, which were distributed. Every effort is being made by the postal authorities to receive and distribute mail. No city delivery has yet been arranged for, and all who expect letters are requested to call at the Postoffice. No mail is being collected from the letter boxes.

“In some quarters of the city the Water Works Company is serving customers on the second stories. This is taken as indicating the rapid headway being made in putting the plant again in operation. The Street Railway Company suffered a loss of a quarter of a million, and its entire system is torn to pieces. An effort is to be made temporarily to operate cars with mules.