Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-09-22
Nearly Every Building Destroyed
Great Suffering and DestitutiOn Reporte

st. Louis, Mo, September 81. Superintendent
Clowry of Western Minnesota Telegraph Com
pany, communicates TO General Arson Stager as
follows
A Morgan steamship has arrived at Galveston.
and reports the town Of Indanola almost entirely
destroyed. The light houses, wharves ard nearly
all the houses are swept away, and from 100 to
$50 lives lost The steamer could find no place to
land her cargo.
Galveston, September 81. The Pur;er of tine
steamer HARLAN, which has just arrived here, COR
roborates the above aud states that there only
| three houses remaining at Indianola which are
rot damaged. The telegraph office is gone; the
signal Office damaged, and the telegraph lines are
down for miles. Railroads washed away and
houses fences and trees are piled up in broken
masses in the streets.
| The reports of the loss of life conflicting,
but all agree that there were from 100 to 80 lives
On account of the great excitement it was i'm
| possible to ascertain the correct number.
| Additional accounts received by Superintendent
Clowrv, at St. Louis, state that the loss Of life
and suffering at Indanola terrible. Dead
bodies are strewn for 20 miles along the beach.
The citizens of st. Lous are organizing for the
relief of the sufferers and will send them food
and clothing.
The steamship Harlan came into port this morn.
ing with her colors at halfmast. A large crowd
gathered on the wharf to learn the fate of Indian
ola. The destruction there is almost complete,
only FIVE business houses being left. The people
are suffering for food and clothing The follow
ing note has been received
Indianola, September 20.
To the Editors Of the News
We are destitute The town is gone; one-quar-
ter of the people are gone. Dead bodies
srewn for 90 miles along the bay. Nine-tenths of
the houses are destroyed Send us help, for Gods
sake
(SignedD d. w. GRAIN,
Attorney General
Tle following has been received by business
firms from their correspondents:
On Wednesday, the 18TH winds were from the
the eastward yeering to the north On Thursday
morning the breeze became more steady ncreas-
ing to gale. The water was waist deep, and ev-
cry man. woman and child was seeking place of
safety.
| The situation was awful. Sccams from wo
men and children could be heard in every drec-
ton. About two o'clock Friday morning the
winds veered to the northwest. The waves then
became chopped and houses were washed away
or tumbled to pieces. The winds towards morn
| ing began to lull little and the water was get
ting lower Then came hope until daylight be-
gan to break, and then we began to behold the
awful destruction around us.
Broad daylight revealed scene that was terri
| bic to behold The town could not be recognized
as the Indianoa Of the day previous. Ruin, total
ruin everywhere. People were seen walking and
jumping over one gulley after another. Nciehbor
met ighbor and told their troubles and tribula-
tons the previous night. There is death and de-
structon all around us. Houses were crushed to
the ground, others swayed round and leaned over.
The wind dying down and the water disappearing
from places in the streets. those that could sailed
| out to learn the news Bodies of men, women
and children were found in all directions. Police
and guards were organized and search was made
| for missing relatives and friends. How many
have lost their lives in the terrible storm it is i'm
| possible to learn.
Up to this time 60 or 20 bodies have been found
and buried. Women were found and men also
| L tn a.