The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-15
4 HURRICANES HAVOC.
Great Destruction of Life and
Property in Texas.
The Pecuniary Damage Estimated
at More Than $5,000,000.

The storm which has ravaged the coast Of
Texas was much more destructive Of life and
property than at first reported. At Indian
ola the storm, which was the severest
ever known thsre, did it's work Of
destruction in about five hours. Dur
ing the height Of the storm a lamp
exploded in the Signal Service Office, and the
building was set on fire. Capt Isaac A.
Reed, the signal officer, and DR.. II. Rosen-
Grams, persisted in the flames. The fire eI-
tended for blocks on both sides of the street,
destroying thirteen houses, among which
were D. q. Regaus large drygoods store and
Dr. tewis's extensive drug establishment. DR..
He escaped being burned to death, but was
subsequently drowned. So far as can be
learned, the following is complete list Of the
white people lost; Captain !. A. Reed, signal
officer; DIR. Croker, DR.. II. Rosencrans, Of
Elgin. III, formerly resident Of Indianola;
Mrs Hodges aad two children Of DR.. Hodges's
family, Of Cuero; Mrs L. N. M.Crooker Of Aus
tin, visiting at Indianola with the Hodges;
Mrs Henry Sheppard, two children Of Mrs.
Lewis, and German, name unknown. Be
sides the above, the bodies Of ten colored
persons have been found.
Four miles of track were washed away, rem
dering it impossible for trains to approach
Indianola. There is great destitution there
among the poorer people, who have lost
everything they posse essed. The depths
OF the water was reported as great as
it was during the great storm Of 1875,
of her citizens, they being swept away. The
flood Of water over the doomed town was SO
rapid that within two hours after the first
apprehension was felt every street was SUBJ
merged many feet.
At San Antonio the loss to property is
$50J, 900. At Floresville the loss is 5000
Never before was the lower Texas coast
visited by so terrible and destructivea storm.
1t extended for 200 miles inland, destroying
thousands of houses and involving pecuni-
ary loss Of many millions The entire crop
Of the present year is practically gone, and a
vast deal of suffering must ensue, especially
among the negroes, most Of whom are with
out means Of any kind.
The lower end of the peninsula at Indianola
Is completely washed away. The storm came
in the shape Of hurricane. The waters Of
peninsula, on which 1ndianola Is situated,
was under ten feet Of water. An appeal for
aid has been issued in behalf of the people of
Indianola.
Passengers on the Arkansas Pass Railway
from Beeville and Floresville report great
ravages by the storm at both points At
Beeville many houses in the course Of con-
struction were demolished and old ones were
unroofei or otherwise injured Two churches
at Foresville were completely ruined,
while several stores and dwellings
were damaged seriously. An aged couple in
attempting to cross a swollen stream in q
wagon, quarter Of mile from Foresville,
were swept down the stream and the woman
was drowned.
The total loss, as far as known, to Texas
from the storm is 81 000, 900 on crops. So, 400,
600 to city and town property, and $780, 600
to shipping and harbor improvements.
Thirty eight human lives were known to be
lost.