The first real attempt to clear away the great mass of debris piled along the beach front for several miles was begun to-day. Advertisements this morning asking for hundreds of men and boys were answered by a multitude. It is hoped that a vigorous prosecution of the work will lead to the early recovery of the bodies in the debris. That there are many of them there is no shadow of doubt.
SEEKING FORMER RESIDENCES.
A correspondent walked along the beach for some distance to-day and the stench was sickening. Everywhere little groups of men, women and children, some poorly clad, 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 unable to find a single remnant of them.
The exodus from the city was heavy to-day, and hundreds more were eager to leave, but were unable to secure transportation. Along the bay front there were scores of families with dejected faces, pleading to be taken from the stricken city, where, in spite of every effort to restore confidence, there is much depression.
J. C. Stewart, a builder, after a careful inspection of the grain elevators and their contents, said the damage to the elevators was not over two per cent. Mr. Bailey said he would put a large force of men to work clearing up each of the wharves, and the company will be ready for business within eight days. The wharves have been damaged very little outside of the wreckage of the sheds. With the wreckage cleared away Galveston will be in shape for beginning business.
SOUTHERN PACIFIC WILL REBUILD.
To a journal in New York the “Galveston News” sent the following important statement:
“You ask the ‘News’ what is our estimate of Galveston’s future and what the prospects are for building up the city. Briefly stated, the ‘News’ believes that inside of two years there will exist upon the island of Galveston a city three times greater than the one that has just been partially destroyed. The devastation has been great and the loss of life terrible, but there is a hopefulness at the very time this answer is being penned you that is surprising to those who witness it. That is not a practical answer to your inquiries, however.
“The principal feature is this—The Southern Pacific company has ordered a steel bridge built across the bay ten feet higher than the trestlework on the late bridges. The company has ordered also a doubling up of forces to continue and improve their wharves, and with this note of encouragement from the great enterprise upon which so much depends the whole situation is cleared up.