Governor Sayers, speaking of the situation at Galveston said:
“I look for the rebuilding of Galveston to be well under way by the latter part of this week. The work of cleaning the city of unhealthful refuse and burying the dead will have been completed by that time.
“The loss of life occasioned by the storm in Galveston and elsewhere on the southern coast cannot be less than 12,000 lives, while the loss of property will probably aggregate $20,000,000.
“If the laboring people of Galveston will only get to work in earnest, prosperity will soon again smile on the city. The money and food contributions coming from a generous people have been a great help to the people of Galveston, as it has relieved them of the necessity of spending their money to support the needy, and it can now be applied to the improvements of their own property and putting again on foot their business enterprises.
“The work of clearing the streets of debris is progressing rapidly under the perfect organization instituted by military rule under Adjutant-General Scurry. Over two thousand men are engaged on the work. Ninety-eight bodies are reported as having been found in the wreckage and removed to-day. Bodies found are buried or cremated and no systematic record has been kept. The storm wrecked almost every vault in the six cemeteries of the city, and many of the dead were washed to sea in metal cases. So far only one casket has been found. It had been carried three miles from the vault.
WORK PUSHED WITH VIGOR.
“The work under the direction of the health department is pushed with vigor and rapidity. Over a carload of disinfectants was taken from the wharves to-day and sent to the health department supply depot, and almost as much was taken from that place and distributed over the city. Much was done in the way of removing debris and disposing of animal carcasses. The sick and wounded are receiving the best of treatment. Besides the other hospitals and medical relief station already in service, the marine hospital and refuge camp was opened this afternoon and will accommodate a large number of patients. The outlook from a health standpoint is very encouraging.
“Three pile drivers are at work closing up the breach in the Galveston Bay bridge made by the steamship Roma. The rebuilding of the bridge is progressing rapidly. A message from General Superintendent Nixon, of the Santa Fe Railroad, to General Manager Polk this evening, said trains will be able to cross on Thursday. Orders have been issued to allow freight to proceed to Galveston. The tracks on Galveston Island will be completed to the bridge to-morrow noon. Engines are again running into the Union Depot, and are bringing freight to the ships in port.
“The water works system is being gradually restored and the mains are now supplying the various hospitals. Miss Clara Barton, of Red Cross Society, has opened a depot for supplies. She has sent orders for medicine and surgical dressings, food for the sick and clothing and shoes.