Kind hands did for him all that could be done, and while feeble and heart-broken he appeared to suffer no pain. The dog never left him there, the two throughout that fateful Sunday clung together. Toward 3 o’clock in the afternoon the old man, still sitting in a rocking-chair, covered in blankets, no dry bed being available, appeared drowsy. This was only natural from fatigue and age, but when the head gently bent forward it was the sleep of death. However, such a gentle passing away of the soul could not be termed by such a harsh name; it was more a caress, in which the transition of the soul was wafted from the body.
The dog all these hours had nestled close to the old man’s feet under the blanket, never sleeping, but guarding carefully the master. When the feet became cold, then the four-footed hero scented trouble. He tried to lie on them with his body. This not answering, he licked the cold feet; still no warmth. Then he sprang into the rocking-chair in which the corpse sat, carefully covered in sheets, tried to warm the body by covering it as much as possible with his own shaggy hair. By force the dog had to be taken away and locked up, for in his instinct he scented something wrong with the old man and strove to make things right by supplying the warmth of his own body. Such scenes as this old man’s beautiful death and the dog’s deep devotion are among the sublime lessons.
Photographers are hourly taking views of the ruins. However, there is a picture about the debris which demands a sketch to itself. The Sacred Heart Church before the storm had in the right aisle, near the altar, erected to the mother of Christ, a large crucifix affixed to a pillar. Now all the sides of this church are demolished save where this crucifix in this pillar stands and the crucifix untouched. It is a sight not to be forgotten to see this image of the Man of Sorrows looking down upon the ruin everywhere.
THE WORST EXPERIENCES.
Naturally one would say that the living through the experience of the storm was the worst part of the catastrophe, but those who had their families here but were themselves away affirm that the suspense and anxiety they underwent to learn the fate of their loved ones could not have been worse. Mr. Frank Gresham shows this. He was at Cornell College when the news that Galveston had been swept off the earth reached him. At first these reports seemed exaggeration, but when the truth became known the Galvestonian became panic-stricken. Mr. Gresham tried to communicate with his family, but as no word was received, his fears grew worse.
Deeming it not a time for thinking, but action, he came south immediately. En route he said the fast trains which make no stops would wait two or three hours for Galveston people, and trains having passengers for this city had the right of way over all lines. The sight of this panic-stricken crowd, eager to reach home or hear of friends and family was pitiful indeed.
At St. Louis one lady, already in heavy mourning, was greeted with a telegram saying her entire family had been washed away, and thus it was all along the road. Several ladies personally known to Mr. Gresham were on the train, but all were in tears from nervousness and anxiety. Words of recognition were hardly exchanged; it was a case where the heart was too full for utterance.
Two Galvestonians were on the Mallory steamer from New York which came in Saturday, after having been abroad since June. The news of Galveston’s disaster did not reach the boat till they touched Key West. Up to this time all was joy on board, but when the news was received the vessel seemed to drag until this port could be reached. The passengers tried to wire from Key West to some one in Houston for information, but were greeted with the information that there were thousands ahead of them and no word could be received.
THE RESPONSE FOR RELIEF.
Thus the suspense had to be borne till the pilot reached the boat, and at this junction only the confirmation of their worst fears were realized. Only the passengers who were Galvestonians, all of whom agreed to work upon their arrival, were allowed to come in; the others were sent to Texas City, from which place they reached their various homes. The papers show how letters, telegrams and cables are daily coming in by thousands; also how the whole world has responded to the cry for help. Even the actors in New York, Philadelphia and all the large cities gave performances for the benefit of the sufferers.