STRIPPED OF ALL THEIR POSSESSIONS.
At the military headquarters one of the principal officials doing temporary service for this city said: “Before the storm I had a good home and good income. I felt rich. My house is gone and my business. The fact is I don’t even own the clothes I stand before you in. I borrowed them.”
Now these are not exceptional cases. They are fairly typical. They must be fed and clothed, these 25,000 people, until they can work out their temporal salvation.
And then something ought to be done to help the worthy get on their feet and make a fresh start. Some people will leave Galveston. It is plain, however, that nothing like the number expected will go. Galveston is still home to the great majority. Those who can stay and live there will do so. If the country responds to the needs in anything like the measure given to Johnstown, Chicago, Charleston and other stricken cities and sections, Galveston as a community will not only be restored, but will enter upon a greater future than was expected before the storm.
Since Tuesday there has been no doubt of Galveston’s restoration. From a central organization the relief work was divided by wards. A depot and a sub-committee were established in each ward of the city.
“They who will not work shall not eat,” was the principle adopted when the organization was perfected. Few idle mouths are being fed in Galveston. There are, however, the fatherless, and there are widows, and there are sick who must have charity. But the able-bodied are working in parties under the direction of bosses. They are being paid in food and clothing. In this way the Relief Committee is within the first week meeting the needs of the survivors, and at the same time is gradually clearing the streets and burning the ruins and refuse.
PICTURES IN SHARP CONTRAST.
Of Galveston’s population of 38,000 it is estimated that 8000 were killed.
The area of total destruction was about 1300 acres.
There were 5000 dwellings, hotels, churches and convents utterly destroyed.