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

STORY OF URSULINE.

The Ursuline Convent and Academy, in charge of the Sisters of St. Angeli, proved a haven of refuge for nearly 1000 homeless and storm-driven unfortunates. The stories of this one night within the convent walls read like the wildest dream of a novelist, but the half can never be told. Every man, woman and child who was brought to the convent or drifted there on the raging torrent could tell of an experience that would be well worth its publication.

The convent, with its many associate buildings, cottages, etc., occupies four blocks of ground extending from Avenues N to O, and Rosenberg avenue to Twenty-seventh street. The grounds are, or rather were, surrounded by a ten-foot brick wall that has withstood the severest storms in Galveston’s history up to the destructive hurricane that swept the island last Saturday night. This wall is now a crumbled mass of brick with the exception of a few small portions that stand like marking pillars to show where the property line should be.

No one was refused admittance to the sheltering institution on this night of nights. Negroes and whites were taken in without question, and the asylum thrown open to all who sought its protecting wings. Angels of mercy went through the army of sufferers whispering words of cheer, offering what scant clothing could be found in this house of charity and calmly admonishing the terror-stricken creatures to have faith in God and say that His holy will be done.

In contrast with this quiet, saintly and loving spirit of the nuns, the hundred or more negroes grew wild as the storm raged, and shouted and sang in their camp-meeting style until the nerves of the other refugees were shattered and a panic seemed imminent. It was then that Mother Superioress Joseph rang the chapel bell and caused a hush of the pandemonium. When quiet had been restored the Mother addressed the negroes and told them that it was no time nor place for such scenes; that if they wanted to pray they should do so from their hearts, and that the creator of all things would hear their offerings above the roar of the hurricane which raged with increased fury as she spoke to the awe-stricken assemblage.