The citizens of Galveston were not in a position to look after the affairs of the city government under the circumstances. It was a public calamity that befell the city and every citizen had his burden of sorrow to bear. There is no gainsaying the fact that the establishment of martial law was the best course to be pursued under existing circumstances and the beneficial results are plainly manifest on every hand. Public spirited citizens volunteered their services and men who held back were promptly impressed into public service for their own as well as the good of every person living in Galveston.
Organization of this vast army of workers was perfected, departments were instituted to conduct the different classes of labor, and under strict military discipline order was restored. The clearing of the streets, burial of the dead, caring for the living and providing for the restoration of the city was commenced in earnest under military supervision and urged to most flattering success. There are few who regret the institution of martial law, but there are many who would deplore the removal of the military forces.
General Scurry, who has won the commendation and heartfelt thanks of this community, is a man of few words. He says he tried to do his duty and he is glad that the people of Galveston appreciate the fact. He says he was never treated more kindly and he feels that the citizens were alive to the fact that what he did was for their own good and the good of Galveston.
PLACE AND ORDER OUT OF CHAOS.
Mayor Jones stated to a “News” reporter yesterday that the people of Galveston are obligated to General Scurry for the way he has conducted the affairs of the city in this hour of peril. He has brought peace and order out of chaos and with a remarkable display of executive ability he has brought sunshine from darkness and gloom. Without the slightest friction, without disturbance of any consequence, and without aid or advice from anyone, he has wrought wonders and restored the city to normal conditions.
As the work of removing the debris progresses more dead are found buried beneath the ruins. There are no official records at hand of the bodies found, and it is probable that the record will never be completed. It is known that there are many bodies found and disposed of by volunteer parties who failed to make a detailed report of the work. It is also known that there were many dead swept to sea and to mainland. Only those found on the island and on Pelican are accounted for. Even those on the mainland were not recorded. Some of them were from Galveston and some were from that section.
Several hundred of these bodies were disposed of by relief parties coming into Galveston on the first relief trains which came near the bay shore after the storm. The trains could not get to the bridge nor to Virginia Point, and the relief parties put in their time burying the dead. No record was kept of this work.
It is not known how many bodies are still in the ruins. It is known that there are many dead buried beneath the debris yet undisturbed. There is absolutely no way of estimating with any degree of accuracy how many unfortunates remain in their death prisons beneath the mountains of wreckage yet to be released. It is believed by some that many surprises await the removal of all the wreckage.
LAST TRAIN OVER THE BRIDGE.
Mr. J. T. Grimes, of near Brandon, has a fine farm and is a substantial and reliable citizen highly esteemed and respected. He was in Galveston during the hurricane and related a remarkable experience. He said: