The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-08-15
TIE HURRICANE
The Death List APPALLING and Fully 100 600
People Homeless.

ftOlle Homeless.
Washington, d O. Aug IL Two
dispatches from Governor General
Davis, Of Porto Rico. giving addition
al details of the fearful havoc wrough
by the hurricane Of last week received
at the War Department yesterday were
As follows:
san Juan. + II . via Haiti
The true state Of affairs throughout
the island is not yet known. because Of
total destruction of all Photographic CON
neciions and great destruction on all
roads Not more than one-f0urth
towns yet heard from. but enough Is
known 10 warrant the statement that
one-i;th Of the dwellings in the island
are totally destroyed and their owners
without any shelter whatever or any
food beyond what has been saved from
the debris This coffee crop aud most
Of the trees are ruined and thus re-
lance for support Is gone. Fully one
third Of the people subsist entirely on
fruit, and a small degree on tubls All
the former is destroyed. and much f
the latter are rotting in the ground
Great many thousands Of cattle are
drowned, and the debris carried down
by the rivers is strewn over the ocean
with the wreck Of the storm and the
dead bodies Of animals The deaths
from falling walls and drowning will
number more than thousand, and may
be several times this number The
state Of distress Is very great and when
green fruits saved from the debris are
consumed the suffering Will be- very
great am relieving the suffering
everywhere within reach a. much as
possible, but in out-of the way places
are many thousands who cannot be
reached for some time
WILL LAST FOR MONTHS.
The supplies ordered sent by the gov
eminent will help much. but will last
only for a few days, while destitution
must continue for many weeks, OF some
months, until the bananas ,ow up |
from the ground. for which five months
at least are required Food Of all kinds
Is needed. especially rice beans, and
Goldfish, which has been the main sup
port outside Of fruit
"Cheop cotton clothing is also need.
I'd. fJr thousands rushed naked from
heir dwellings at night when the gale
broke Medicines are also needed most
oressingly, especially quinine. and
1ther simple medicines / estimate
hat at least 1000 tons Of food will be
-equired weekly for several weeks. l
rave constituted boards all over the is
ard 10 regulate assistance and a gen.
,ral board from here 10 conduct the re
ief work. While have not yet full
lata, repeat the estimate that at
east 100. 900 people re homeless and
destitute.
"Relief ration proposed one pound Of
God per day, composed Of seven ounces
f beans. seven ounces Of rice and two
unces of Goldfish In addition to food
rdered by the Mcpherson, | ask that
. 500 tons, above proportions, should be
hipped next week Before this is con-
umed | Will have full data respecting
uture needs, but fear extensive is
ues of provisions will be necessary for
everal months. | shall push work on
he roads, and give employment to as
lany as possible. l hope the charita-
le people of the States will contribute
ood. clothes, medicines and money.
jol Hofer, chief surgeon Of the depart
lent, is chairman Of the board of re-
ef, aud auxiliary boords are organic.
ng in all the towns. Five military
osts not yet heard from.
EARLY ADvlCEs CONFIRMED
Gen. Davis second dispatch reads
"San Juan, F. II via HAyti, Aug.
3.
Further but still incomplete re-
Orts as conservative. Suggest an ap-
ointment Of differs in New York to
,ceiye relief funds and supplies, cab
ng quantities and kinds shipped on
lch boat. Col. Hofer, medical de.
artment charge relief work here.
hould be shipped this week, not less
ian 2, 800 tons food, Best to be sent,
cans. rice and cheap grade Goldfish.
otton clothing and coarse cotton goods
] piece, needles and thread also
eeded
Money will be applied in assisting
rebuild houses and huts and hire of
clip. l recommend that bags for sugar
I'D coffee, all kinds of rough lumber
II building and fencing. hoops, slaves
I'd hoops for sugar packing, aud gal.
auized iron and nails for roofing pur-
,ses be placed on the first list.
ave authorized employment Of labor
building barracks at Oayeya aud
ibonao, wholly destroyed "
The hurricane is dying out and will /
'obably end up near Charleston in an
binary blow.
Story Of Slave.
To be bound hand and foot for years