The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1885-11-16
GAI.VESTON'S FIRE.
LATER NEWS OF THE CITY'S DIRE
CALAMITY.
Terrible Night Scene-Arousing the
Sleeping Inhsbiiant,-Liberal Help
to tho HoIneIess- Hopeful Out
look OF city Paper.

GALVESTON Tex. Nov. 10 AS nearly as
can DO estimated the loss to the insurance
companie; by Fridays fire will reach 81,
200. 900, and the total loss s. 600 900. The
burned district extends from Mechanic
street on the north to Avenue q on the
south and east aud west between Sixteenth
and Twenty first streets, covering strip of
forty or fifty blocks long and five blocks
broad. through the finest residence portion OF
the city. All that remains of these once
beautiful and happy homes are few stand
ing chimneys and number of half-burned
ornamental trees and shrubs.
As the flames swept uncontrollably along
before the gale policemen ran from house
to house in advance and aroused the Sleep
ing residents, giving them barely time to
save themselves and what clothing they
could hastily throw on.
Ono noticeable thing was the small
amount of household goods along the line OF
fire, showing how complete the destruction
was. The people could not appreciate the
danger until it was too late to save personal
effects. In many instances families were
unable to release their horses, and even
watch-dogs perishel in their kennels, SO
rapid was the fire. The blaze attracted wild
ducks and geese and all manner of water
fowls which darted through the lurid
heavens uttering piercing cries.
4>o puoiiS Vi ihpoituhSo "oio
destroyed. The court house was afire at
one time and in great danger of destruc'
ton, but Notwithstanding the excitement,
none of the prisoners escaped The fire
department recently had been changed
from volunteer to paid and is subject to
great structures. With heavy gale
blowing and almost the entire population OF
the city asleep it was not likely that the
most Intelligent effort could have awaited
.Ir.,.l
poorly. The entire portion where tho fire
was confined consists of wooden residences,
and in five minutes after the flames attacked
the buildings they were destroyed.
Before the fire had fully spent itself offers
of relief began to pour in from all parts
Of the country, and the larger cities
in Texas rendered. assistance, and in-
dividual offers of money cana
from everywhere. The business men
OF the city. however, express their deter
mination to take care of the sufferers, many
Of whom lost everything except the clothes
on their backs and are entirely destitute,
and even those of the wealthiest class who
lost houses and other property, will sub
scribe literally The beach hotels have
thrown oEen their doors to the homeless,
and during Friday evening committees of
citizens took charge of these and
other buildings and assigned rooms for the
sufferers
The News says: The conduct of tine PEG.
pie of Galveston in view of the calamity
that overlook them not be too highly
commended. The shock was severe, the
loss terrible, but Galveston will come out of
it undismayei. The people of the city
are now their mettle, and in
this condition they are at their
best Many families homeless
and some people lost their all. 1t was
great calamity, but there will be no unre-
lieved sufferin- The driving wheel of
Galveston's existence is unimpaired The
soul Of the city is not disturbed The busy
marts of commerce go on
if nothing had happened. The
prompt manner in which citizens assembled
to help the distre ,sei shows the spirit that
inmates the city. g. weston is equal to
the emergency; Would be equal to an emer-
gency much greater than she is confronted
with at present. She will he as beautiful
rs ever in a few months, and doing business
at "the old stand