The first knowledge of the Galveston storm was the report of a wind velocity of forty-eight miles an hour at Port Eads on Saturday morning. The “News” also reported high winds at Pass Christian. The Port Eads storm was a distinct storm from that of Florida and was confined to the Gulf. The proof of this is that the steamer “Comal” came in from Florida in beautiful weather and apparently followed in the wake of the storm.
Eighteen people were caught in the Grothger grocery store, Sixteenth and N streets, and it is presumed all were lost, as many have been reported dead who were known to have been in the building which was swept away entirely. The firemen buried twenty-six people south of Avenue O, between Thirty-Third and Forty-Second streets, on Tuesday. The graves were marked with pieces of the garments worn by the persons.
Will Love, a printer of the “Houston Post,” who formerly lived in Galveston, swam the bay Monday to reach his family, whom he found to be alive in Galveston. He swam from pier to pier on the railroad bridges and at each he rested.
AWFUL NIGHT IN THE LIGHTHOUSE.
In the Bolivar lighthouse, which stands 130 feet high on Bolivar Point, across the bay from Galveston, some one hundred and twenty-five people sought refuge from the storm on Saturday evening. Many of the unfortunates had deserted their homes, which were swept by the hurricane, and other residents of Galveston, who had come to the bay shore in their frantic endeavors to reach Galveston and their families. Among the latter was County Road and Bridge Superintendent Kelso. Mr. Kelso stated to a “News” reporter, when he reached Galveston on Monday afternoon, after having been carried across the bay in a small skiff by Mr. T. C. Moore, that the hundred and more refugees spent an awful night in the lighthouse Saturday night during the life of the hurricane.
The supply of fresh water was soon exhausted and an effort was made to secure drinking water by catching rain water in buckets suspended from the top of the lighthouse. The experiment was a success in a way, but it demonstrated a remarkable incident to show the force of the wind. The bucket was soon filled with water, but it was salty and could not be used. Several attempts finally resulted in a fresh water supply to quench the thirst of the feverishly excited refugees.
The salt water was shot skyward over 130 feet and mingled with the rain water that fell in the buckets. From the top of the light tower several of the more venturesome storm-sufferers viewed the destructive work of the wind on Galveston Island. Twelve dead bodies were recovered near the lighthouse.
Mr. A. Mutti, a storekeeper, lost his life after a display of heroism that won for him the honors of a martyr. When the storm struck the city he hitched up a one-horse cart and started out to rescue his neighbors. Cartload after cartload he carried in safety to fire company house No. 5. On three occasions his cartload of human beings, some half dead, others crazed with fright, was carried for blocks by the raging currents, but he landed all the unfortunates in the fire house, even to his last load, when he met his death. As he attempted to pass into the building on his last trip the firehouse succumbed to the wind and collapsed. Some of the wreckage struck poor Mutti and he was mortally injured. He lingered for several hours.
GENEROUS OFFER OF HELP.
Prof. Buckner, of the Buckner Orphans’ Home of Dallas, arrived in the city and made his way at once to the gentlemen in charge of the relief work. He offered to throw the doors of his establishment wide open for the orphans of Galveston, who have been deprived of their shelter at the various asylums, and announced that he was ready to care for about 100 to 150 of the children. His offer was taken under consideration for advisement at a meeting to be held of the managers of the homes.