The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-11

! ions, government relief has been dis
patched thither.
Ell Caney was levelled to the ground
200 houses being demolished. Two Uni
ted States soldiers were injured there
and may cavalry horses killed.
At CatanO, the entire plant of the
Standard Oil company was ruined. The
loss on the property is $500, 000
At Bayamo a majority of the houses
were destroyed and the rest were flood
ed. Two hundred cattle were killed and
the railroad was seriously damaged.
The village of Carolina was literally
razed. At Caguas four persons were
killed.
A courier who has just arrived from
Humaco, capital of the province of
that name on the eastern coast of the
island, reports awful destruction there.
The loss to property is estimated at
$500 900, but this is the least item in the
disaster. The courier brought an Off
cial report from Captain Eben Smith
of the Fifth United States cavalry who
says:
''Humaco was totally destroyed by
the hurricane. Forty-Six bodies have
been recovered and there are many
more in the debris. Eight privates Of
troop c, were injured, two fatally. Ser
geant King, of the Eleventh infantry,
was injured. North, discharged pri-
vate, is missing. At the port of HUI
maco, 81 bodies have been recovered.
Eight hundred people are starving
here
Three persons were killed at Las Pie
dras and five at JuncO. COuriers from
the other districts are anXiously ex-
pected at the palace The steamer Slo-
cum, Captain Thomas, en- route from
Mayaguez to San Juan, was caught in
the storm, but her passengers and crew
were saved through the heroism of Mr..
Single, the first officer.
The coffee crop is ruined and the loss
will reach millions. Very great injury
has been done also to the orange crop.
No definite returns have yet been re-
p ion Ea
island, apart from Ponce. 1t is certain
however, that the food supplies in the
stricken district have been destroyed
and in these quarters the quantity of
government stores on hand is small.
Relief wagons will be sent tomorrow in
various directions.
General George w Davis, the COVER
nor general has cabled to the war de-
partment an appeal for assistance.
APPALLING DESTRUCTION.
St Thomas Aug. 11.-As later ad-
vices come in from Montserrat it is seen
that the first reports conveyed only
faint idea of the sufferings of the peo-
pie and their deplorable condition The
administration appeals for help.
At La Pointe-a-Pitre, islands of Qua
delope, immense damage was wrought,
and according to a report not yet con-
frmed. 1O2 persons were killed.
In the island of ST. CrOix, the largest
of the Virginia islands, the destruction
was appalling. 1t was chiefly wrought
houses are a tangled mass of wreckage.
Thirty persons were killed and the in
habitants are in great distress.
DAVIS GIVES DETAILS.
Washington, Aug 1.-THE war de-
partment today received a cablegEaR
from Gen. Davis giving further details
of the damage done in Porto Rico by
the hurricane.
Gen. Davis says famine is impend-
ing and asks authority to issue rations
to the destitute. The message is dated
yesterday and says;
Later reports show that the hurri-
cane was far more severe in interior
and southern parts of island than here.
Data for estimate of number of POr-
to Ricans who have lost everything is
deficient, but I am forced to believe
that the number on the Islands can not
fall far below 1OO,0 900 souls and a fam
inc is impending.
pounds of rice and beans, equal guam
titles of each be Immediately shipped
on transports to Ponce Some here
Urgent appeals to all post commanders
for food for the destitute. Am I author
lied to relieve distress by food issues;
rice and beans only desired? There
have been many deaths of natives by
falling walls. So far only one soldier
reported dangerously injured. Several
towns reported entirely demolished. AS
yet have reports from only four ports.
Complete destruction of all barracks
at two points and two others, one com
pany of each had barracks destroyed
Troops are in canvas. No reports yet
from the largest ports, Ponce and May
agueZ, but they were in the vortex of
the storm. At least half of the people
in Porto Rico subsist entirely on fruit
and vegetables and storm has entirely
destroyed this source of support.
~(Signed), DAVIS"