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

VAST AMOUNT OF WORK TO BE DONE.

“The Relief Committee reported to the Governor that the city authorities would prefer that the city remain under the command of State Adjutant-General Scurry for the time being at least; that he not only be allowed to superintend the patrolling of the city, but that he be placed in charge of the sanitary work as well, and that he be allowed to hire 2000 laborers from other portions of the State, as the laborers in Galveston had their own homes to look after.

“Governor Sayers will not only secure the importation of 2000 outside laborers for sanitary work, but he will recognize any drafts made by Chairman Seeley, of the local Galveston Relief Committee, for such moneys as he may want from time to time, and in such quantities as are necessary, the same to be expended under the exclusive control of the chairman and the local Finance Committee of Galveston.

“In addition to the Galveston plea for assistance, several relief committees from other points were entertained by the Governor. The one from Velasco, following the Galveston committee, stated that there were 2000 destitute there. Alvin reported 8000 in the neighborhood. The Columbia District reported 2500, and several other towns reported in proportion, Fort Bend County coming with a report of some 15,000 in that county alone.

“In view of these reports Governor Sayers ordered bacon and flour to be sent to Galveston, Richmond, Fort Bend, Angleton, Velasco and Alvin in quantities ranging from 200,000 pounds of flour and 100,000 pounds of bacon for Galveston, to 5000 pounds of the former and 20,000 pounds of the latter as an emergency supply for Alvin. More supplies will follow at once.”

Says one of our great newspapers:

“Galveston is showing the same splendid courage as Chicago thirty years ago, before a less dire calamity, and the country as a whole is displaying the same liberality. The Galveston News undoubtedly speaks for the city and the citizens in declaring that the city will be rebuilt and protected. Its channel, as one slight recompense, has been deepened to thirty feet. There remains its protection by sea walls, and here the General Government might well deal liberally with the stricken city. Whatever Galveston port needs to protect and prevent the city from another tidal wave ought, and we do not doubt will, be the liberal care of Congress next winter.

“Much more remains. The insurance companies rebuilt Chicago, and furnished the city with working building capital. Galveston has no such resource. Like Johnstown the city has to be rebuilt and the houses refitted. In the great flood of 1889 this was rendered possible because all the great flood of relief was managed, methodized and economically directed by the Johnstown Relief Commission, acting for the State. This prevented waste, gathered together all aid and successfully rebuilt, refurnished and re-equipped the destroyed homes.

“The Galveston disaster needs a like body. Food and shelter will before long be provided. This is but a beginning. Contributions are pouring out all over the country and organized work has not yet begun. Any sum really needed by Galveston can be raised if it is asked by an authoritative body, able to speak definitely and with precision of the losses sustained by churches, hospitals, institutions and individuals, and competent to distribute relief with efficiency and economy. If Texas and Galveston put such a body before the country in complete control the desultory giving already begun will be succeeded by organized, systematic contributions equal to the great need, great as it is.”

CHAPTER X.
Details of the Overwhelming Tragedy—The Whole City Caught in the Death-Trap—Personal Experiences of Those Who Escaped—First Reports More Than Confirmed.

The centre of the West Indian hurricane, which had been predicted for several days, struck Galveston at 9 o’clock Saturday morning. At that hour the wind was in the north and the waters of the bay were rising rapidly. The Gulf was also turbulent, and the water, forced in by the tropical storm, rolled up the beach and gradually swept inland. About 2 o’clock P. M. the wind was rising rapidly, constantly veering, but settling towards the east and coming in fitful jerks and puffs, which loosened awnings, cornices, slated roofs and sent the fragments flying in the air.

The waters of the bay continued rising and creeping ashore, mingled with the waters from the clouds, and filled the downtown streets and invaded stores. Despite the danger from flying missiles, as the afternoon wore on, men ventured out in the streets in hacks, in wagons, in boats and on foot, some anxious to get home to their families, some bent on errands of mercy, and others animated by no purpose save bravado.

Gaining in velocity, the wind changed to the northeast, then to the east, and the waters rose until they covered the city. The wind howled frightfully around the buildings, tearing off cornices and ripping off roofs. The wooden paving blocks rose from their places in the streets and floated off in great sections down the streets.

At 6.30 o’clock the wind had shifted to the southeast, still increasing in velocity. At that hour the wind gauge on the roof of the United States Weather Bureau registered eighty-four miles an hour then blew away. Still the wind blew harder and harder and even the most fortunate houses lost all or a part of their coverings. The storm reached its height at about 8.30 o’clock. At 9 o’clock the wind began subsiding and the waters to recede.

But the fury of the storm had not been spent until well into Sunday morning. At 1 o’clock the water had fallen until the streets were inundated no more than they would be by a big rain. Sunday morning broke clear, and the sun shone brightly on a scene of wreck and ruin, which verily beggars description.

The streets were piled with debris, in many places several feet high. Buildings were shorn of roofs, cornices, chimneys and windows. Stocks of goods were damaged by floods from below and rain from above. But it was the wind which had wrought the greatest havoc in every respect. The damage from waters of the bay was inconsequential when compared with that from wind. The eastern part of the city received the full force of the storm and suffered most, although no section escaped serious injury.