The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1893-09-06
THE State, Sept. 1st. ]


Many people had thought that the
returns from the hurricane had come
in sufficiently to show thss the loss of
life in South Carolina was not so seri-
Gus as was supposed before any point
had been heard from, and the people
were resting easier. But it all seems
to have been false reckoning, based
upon the reports from all points heard
from.
A brief but very startling message
came ticking into the Western Union
office last night from a faT-of section
of the State which had not been heard
from, and was soon after delivered to
Governor Tillman, being the first off,
cial intelligence to reach him upon his
return from Chicago.
Upon its receipt, he acted promptly,
as the following proclamation, issued
at II o'clock last night, shows. It con-
tains the information furnished in the
telegram:
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
EXECUTIVE CHAMEER.
COLUMBIA, S. c., Aug. 81, 1898.
Proclamation.
Having received the following tele-
gram from J. Fl. Averill, receiver the
Port Royal and Augusta Railroad Com
pany, conveying the startling intelli-
gence of an appalling loss Of life and
terrible state of destitution upon the
islands on the coast of this State result
ing from the terrible hurricane which
the Almighty in His judgment has
visited upon the people of the South
Atlantic States, causing universal suf-
fering:
"YENlAssEE, S. c., Aug. 81.
ITO Hon. B. R. Tlllman,
"Gcvernor of South Carolina:
'The loss of life by the recent cyclone
on the islands adjacent to Beaufort
and Port Royal will number not less
than 600 people. There are 1000 peo-
pie on the islands entirely destitute OF
provisions, all they had being washed
away and their crops entirely lost.
Great destitution will prevail among
them unless they have speedy relief.
I am working night and day to open
up communication, and hope to have
trains into Beaufort not later than
Monday next. Please address any re-
ply you have to me at Yemassee, from
which point it will oe forwarded by
railroad. J. II. AvERILL."
Now, I, 3. r. Tillman, Governor Of
the State of South Carolina, acting in
my official capacity, and for the best
interests of the people Of this common
wealth, do issue this, my proclamation,
and call upon the people throughout
the length and breadth of the State to
come to the aid of their suferingfellow-
citizens.
The fact that these are poor colored
farmers, whose homes have been ruined
and crops destroyed, appeals with pecu-
liar force to every right-thinking per-
son. The general loss in Charleston
and elsewhere is great, but other COM
munities can take care Of themselves.
Contributions can be made in money,
food, clothing and other necessaries Of
life sufficient to meet the present emer-
gency. Money contributions can be
sent to the Bank of Beaufort, subject
to the draft of a general relief commit
tee, which will appoint at the earliest
possible moment with headquarters ct
Port royal.
I call upon all classes Of people, both
white and colored, to come hastily to
the relief of these unfortunate people.
I would suggest that church, charit-
able and philanthropic Organizations
collect their contributions at the vari-
Gus railway stations, to be shipped to
Port Royal as soon as the railroad is
repaird.
Full directions will be given through
the press later on; and remember, "He
gives twice who gives quickly" under
these circumstances.
B. r. T1LLMAs,
Governor of South Carolina.
Governor Tillman has telegraphed
Mr.. Averill that prompt measures for
the relief of the sufferers will be taken
and asking him to suggest seven per-
sons of Beaufort and Port Royal, two
at least Of whom shall be negroes,
whom be can appoint at once on the
general relief committee.
APPALLING STORY OF THE SITUATION
on THE SEA ISLANDS.
AUGUSTA, GA, August 31.-A special
to the Chronicle from Beaufort, S. c.,
says: Over three hundred and ninety
dead bodies have been fc.-lu on the
islands about Beaufort and Port Royal.
Over two million dollars worth of prop
erty has been wrecked near the same
points. Both of these are the direct
result of the severe storm which swept
along the Atlantic coast Sunday night.
Every one Of the fifteen or twenty
islands lying around Port Royal aod
Beaufort are stepped in sorrow. On,
every door knob there is bunch of
crepe, and upon every hillside there
are fresh made graves, some already
filled, while others are awaiting the
bodies that will be deposited in them
Just as soon as some one can be found
to perform the kind Christian act Of
shoveling the dirt upon the coffin.
The beaches, the undergrowth, trets
and shrubbery, the marshes and the
inlets are turning up new bodies every
time an investigation is made. Of the
many disasters and devastations which
have visited this section Of the country,
none have been half so horrible as those
which came Sunday. Already more
than 200 bodies have been found, and
those who are at all posted about the
country and the habits of the people in
the storm visited sections are confident
in their prediction that the death roll
will run as high as 500. Some of the
people-and they are among the best
people of this section of the State-even
place the loss at more than one thou
sand.
There has not been an hour of any
day since the early hours of Monday
-oorniny tbot O Soo6 hoGv hoo not boon