The record-union., 1893-10-05

terror-stricken, there was suddenly
fearful crash of timbers and the roof
caved in, burying nearly every one OF the
party, only Schurts and negro escaping.
Schurts clung to the floating debris until
he saw light twinkling in house not
far away. He swan to the house and
was admitted. There were several peo-
pie in the house. Schurts had hardly
entered, however, when the structure
went to pieces, and out of those who were
in the house Schurts, lady and child es-
capped. Schurts succeeded in getting the
lady and her baby to tree. There the
party stayed until morning, when thewind
began to abate. High waves were con-
tinually dashing over them. The wind
was blowing a hurricane and the rain
falling in torrents.
When daylight broke the picture of
deSolation was awful to behold. Only
here and there stood a house. Every
whore were merely foundations to mark
where the houses stood. Furniture, bed
ding, clothing, etc., were scattered about
in promiscuous confusion. Everywhere
were CHASTITY faces turned upwards to the
skies, upon many still evidences of the
terrible agony they suffered before death.
Some lost their lives in the wreck of their
homes, some drowned after escaping
from the houses. Many mortally injured
lived through the night, but with moth
ing to quench their thirst and no medical
assistance at hand, gave up the struggle.
There were broken arms and legs, bruised
and battered bodies, faces slashed out of
all human form.
Cheniere was a settlement even more
thickly populated than Grand Island. 1t
comprised colony of 1,400 souls, the
Spanish race predominating. Hundreds
of fishing smacks owned by residents
were either beached or demolished. The
priest who looked after the spiritual we'll
fare of the islanders was among those
saved, and lady who occupied the house
with him as housekeeper was likewise
spared. The fate of DIR. Fry and family
is unknown, but he is missing, and proba-
bly, the entire family perished. The body
of Miss Annie Douglass, school teacher,
was found among the wreckage.
Scores of bodies lying around are be-
ginning to show signs of decomposition,
and for the safety of the rest OF the colony
it became necessary to bury them imme
diately. There was no time to make cof-
fins, nor material or implements, so the
living dug trenches in which to deposit
the remains.
Up to Il o'clock Schurts was assisted in
his grewsome task, and participated in
the interment of not less than fifty per-
Rebe RandO saved himself, wife and two
children by swimming about until he
gathered sufficient lumber to make an
impromptu raft. He put his family upon
it, and they drifted to place of safety.
Tom Valence, wife and several children
are believed to be drowned, as we'll as his
brother Tony, wife and three children.
1t will never be accurately known how
many lives were lost. The population of
Cheniere was about 400, and Schurts
thinks at least 1000 are missing. 1t is
impossible as yet to give the financial
loss, but it runs into hundreds of thou
sands Of dollars. Unless steps are imme-
diately taken for their relief it is not
unlikely that many will perish from
starvation and thirst. All provisions on
the island were swept away. Fresh
water is so scarce that there is not suf-
ficient to relieve the thirst of the hun
dreds who are now without anything,
and scarcely anything to wear.
Schurts is one of a party of thirteen
that came to this city on the lugger Good
Mother. Each had thrilling story to
relate.
There is only sadness in the news
from Bayou Cook and places tributary
thereto. There has been a frightful loss
of life throughout that section. Houses
have been blown to pieces, and smacks
destroyed and wrecked. Many bodies
were carried into the marshes and will
never be found. Train crews arriving on
the Grand Island Road report that the
track is strewn with bodies, and large
number are already buried. The country
is scene of wreck and devastation. A
passenger said that no less than eighty
seven bodies were seen along the road.
Throughout the Bayou Cook country the
distress is appalling.
Trains arriving to-day brought many
survivors to the city, all relating a terri
BILE tale of suffering. Anthony Negovitch
saw his wife swept by him in torrent,
appealing piteously for help which he
was unable to render, He witnessed
scores of people drown about him. Many
who did not drown had their lives
crushed out by wreckage. George Signor-
ovitch saw his wife and children perish
before him while in the water up to his
chin.
1t is variously estimated that from 200
to 800 people perished on Bayou Cook.
The deaths at other points will swell the
total to not less than 200, according to
the best information now obtainable.
At Grand Bayou not less than twenty
six perished. On Rosario and Linden
Islands the loss Of life has been consid-
erable.
Shell Beach was visited by storm, and
twelve or thirteen people lost their lives
there Malo Island is reported to have
been swept away. twenty-five people
resided on the island. and. as far as
known not one was left to tell the tale