Middletown transcript., 1875-09-25
!. Fearful Stf@ in Texas.
d97 0ss OF LifE AND PROPERTY
81

D -
On WlnesdavI Of last week the
Gulf coaat Of Texas was visited with D
terrible cyclone, or hurricane. which was
attended with most disastrous effects
to various cities and towns located on
the coast By the force Of the wind
the water Of the Gulf was driven to an
immense depth upon the land and
whole towns were submerged. Hun
dreds Of men, women and children were
were swallowed up in the waves and
drowned, and millions of dollars worth
of property were destroyed The fol-
lowing extract from letters to Calves
ton papers from correspondents at In
dianola gives graphic description Of
the disaster to that town:
On Wednesday, the 18th, winds
from the eastward, veering to the
north. On Thursday morning it be-
came more steady, increasing. however.
to gale. The water was waist deep.
Every man, woman and child were
seeking place Of safety 1t blew fear
fully. The situation was awful.
Screams from women and children
could be heard in every direction. The
water was six feet deep in the streets.
About 2 A. NJ on Friday the wind
veered to the northwest. The waves
then became chopped. Houses we're
washed away or atnmbled to pieces.
The wind toward morning began to
lull little and the water was getting
lower. The wind then yeered to the
north, daylight began to break. and
then did we behold the awful destruc-
tion around and thanked our God we
had been saved, and that our perilous
condition was nothing compared with
The sufferings Of our neighbors and
citizens along the bay. Broad day
light revealed a scene that was terrible
to behold. The, town could not be
as the Indianola Of the day
previous. The ruin was total. Ruin
was everywhere. The people were
,een walking and Jumping over one
gully and another; neighbor met neigh
Dor, and told Of the troubles and tribu-
ations of the previous night. Death
ind destruction were all around us.
Houses were crushed to the ground,
md others swayed round and were
Gaming over. The wind was dying and
he water, disappearing from the streets.
those that could sailed out to learn the
'ews. Bodies Of men. women and
hildren were found in all directions.
Police and guards were organized and
earch was made for missing relatives
nd friends. How many have lost their
ives 10 this fearful storm it is impossi-
lie to learn. Up to this time go or 70 /
odies have been found and buried.
len and women were found who had
Dated off on doors or anything they
ould get hold Of. Some were beneath the
oofs and had been carried away long
istance. The escape Of so many Of our
itisens is almost miraculous. The
earch for bodies is still going on and
be number of human beings drowned
ill never be known. as there. were
lrge number Of strangers in town We
stimate the number Of lives lost at $50. |
I.SJ Huck lost everything but his
ause.i Eighteen bodies we're found
esterday, and the search will be con-
nued until all the dead are deposited
, their last resting place. The extent
( the disaster cannot be imagined -
Tothing short of full details will give a
roper knowledge A number Of per-
ons were out on RATS for hours, but in
lany cases were not saved. William
aylof, on trial for the Sutton murder,
as let out of Jail to prevent his being
and be made his escape. All ]
le churches in this town are swept
way. The court house is safe. Cap
lin Sam Brown and two Of his family |
ere saved. They took refuge in the
ght house. Brown is now the only
lryiving pilot at the pass. Great des-l
tuition prevails. The Victoria people
caring Of it nobly sent us assistance at
ice. = Information from Corpus Christi
'ports that town as safe. It escaped
le heavy gale. The town of Saluria
as entirely washed away. Telegraph
nes are prostrated for miles.
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