Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-08-11

Their Lives In the storm-Commander
Secretary Root Prepares an Appeal
Other News by Wire.
Washington, Aug. 1.-THE weather
beureau issues the following bulletin:
1.-The hurricane center is apparently
approaching Nassau, Bahama, and
will increase in intensity on reaching
the gulf stream, and will probably
reach the south Atlantic coast towns
tonigh."
jacksonville, Fla, Aug. 1.-The
storm seems to be approaching the
southern coast. The weather bureau
reports conditions very threatening in
that section.
Later Reports From Porto Rico.
Washington, Aug. 11.-Gen. Davis.
commanding in Porto Rico, cables:
Later reports show the hurricane
was far more severe in the interior
and southern part of the island than
here. Data for estimates of the num-
ber of Porto Ricans who lost every
thing is deficient; but l am forced to
believe the number on the island can
not fall below 1000 in the south,
and with the famine impending l ask
that 100000 pounds of rice and
beans and equal quantities of each be
Immediately shipped on transports to
Ponce; some here Urgent appeals
to all post commanders for food for
the destitute. Am / authorized to
relieve the distress by food issues?
Rice and beans only are desired.
There have been many deaths of ma
tives by falling walls SO far only
one soldier is reported dangerously
injured. Several towns are reported
entirely demolished. AS yet we have
reports from only four ports"
Washington. Aug. 11.-At the sug-
gestion of the president, Secretary of
War Root has prepared an appeal to
the people of the United States for aid
for the hurricane sufferers in Porto
Rico.
Ponce. Porto Rico. Aug. 11.-At
least 800 persons were drowned here
in Tuesdays hurricane which was the
worst in history. 200 bodies, mostly
poor people and children have been
recovered. 15 vessels in the harbor
were driven ashore. Juan Diaz was
devasted and 46 lives lost there.
Abonita. Arroyo, Guayma, Salinas
and San Isabelle are reported totally
demolished. There is no drinking
ing water, ice or electric light in
Ponce.
San Juan, Porto Rico, Aug. 11.-It
is now said 500 persons lost their lives
during the hurricane. Terrible dis
tress prevails there.
Frightful Havoc at Humacao.
A courier has just arrived from
Humacao, capital of the province of
that name. The loss to property is es-
timated at s50O,0Oo The courier
brought an official report from Captain
Eben Swift. of the Fifth United States
cavalry. who says: "Humacao was to-
tally 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. Sergeant King, of the
Eleventh infantry, was injured. North,
a discharged private is missing. At the
port of Humacao eighteen bodies have
been recovered. Eight hundred people
are starving here. Three persons were
killed at Las Piedras and five at Junco.
The coffee crop is ruined. and the loss
will reach millions. Very great injury
has been done also to the organge crop.
More Than 100 Was Killed.
St. Thomas. Aug. 11.-As later ad-
vices come in from Montserrat il is
seen that the first reports conveyed
only a faint idea of the sufferings of
the people and their deplorable condi-
tion. At la Pointe-a-Pitre, island of
Guadalupe. immense damage was
wrought. and according to report not
yet confirmed 102 persons were killed.
In the island of St Croix, the largest
of the Virgin islands, the destruction
was appalling II was chiefly wrought
Mt the west end. where the smaller
houses are tangled mass OF wreckage.
Thirty persons were killed and the in
habitants are in great distress.
London, Aug. 1.-THE governor of
the Leeward islands. Sir Francis Flem-
ing. says that on the island of Mont
serrat seventy-four deaths are already
known. He adds that twenty-one per-
sons were killed at the island of Nevis.
The storms Eject In Dakota
Fargo. n. D., Aug. 11.-Reports
from the hail stricken district about
here shows that yesterdays estimate
was too low and that the damage will
probably reach I35. 200 acres. Last
night Cass county was visited by n
storm which destroyed 5000 acres.
SECRET SESSIONS ENDED.