The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-12

San Juan. Porto RfcO,, August IL
II is now said that 500 persons lost
their lives at Ponce during the hur-
ricnne. Terrible distress prevails
there.
been destroyed.
sixteen lives were lost and the
town il still submerged In water.
At Guayumo the houses are still
sta ndinS. Seven persons were killed
there. number of houses were
pillnged. squads of soldiers were
unable to maintain order and star
walton threatens the population.
The winter supply of San Juan has
been stopped. The Conmo Springs
hotel has been wrecked. 1t belonged
to the Porto Rico company of Philn-
deIphia.
Ponce, August 1.-THE worst Storm
ever experienced here struck this place
Tuesday morning at 8 O'Clock and lasted
two hours. 1t came from the northeast
Ponce was flooded at midday and 800 per-
sons were drowned. Two hundred bodies,
mostly those OF poor people. including
many children, have been recovered. All
the buildings are damaged and hundreds
have been destroyed. The soldiers and
firemen worked all night heroically saving
lives.
There is no drinking water, gas, leo or
electric lights. The commissary stores at
Playa were destroyed, the city is short OF
food and the army officers are distributing
rations.
Fifteen vessels in the harpor wero
driven ashore.
The weather bureau predicted the storm
but 1t is claimed Ponce was not warned.
A mob Of 1000 persons threatened the
Alcalde Porrator Doria, but they were
dispersed by the Fifth cavalry. The
alcalde has been deposed on account OF
the negligence.
Major Myers OF the Eleventh Infantry
is acting as alcalde In response to popular
demand
The sum of $4,000 will be needed to clean
the streets. The sanitary condition Is
serious and assistance Is needed
All the crops are totally ruined, th'
wires are all down and little news is OBJ
tainable from the interior. Abonita, In
GLIDING the barracks, has been destroyed
but no lives were lost there.
Juan Diaz has been destroyed. Forty
six lives were lost there. Arroyo. Guaya'
ma Salinas and San Isabel are reported
to have been totally demolished. The rail
way between Ponce and Yauco is destroyed
and the military road is impossible. The
river is flowing over the road for twf
miles.
Mayaguez escaped without permanent
injury. The poems have gone to San Juar
and it's vicinity which is comparatively
uninjured.
Washington, August 1.-THE war de
partment today received cablegram from
General Davis. giving the fuller details
OF the damage done in Porto Rico By TN
hurricane. General Davis Gays fam!n,
is impending and asks authority TO .Ssu'
rations to the destitute.
| The message is dated yesterday anS
saws: Later reports show that the hur
ricane was far more severe in ints:io
and southern parts Of the island than here
Data for estimate Of number OF tort'
Ricans who have lost everything is deli
Gent. but am forced to believe the MIN
Der on the island can not fall below lo
souls and famine is impending. as.
that 25OO.OOO bushels OF rice and beans
equal quantities Of each. be immediatel.
shipped on transports TO Ponce. SOM
here. Urgent appeals 10 all post CON
manders for food for the destitute. Am
authorized to relieve distress by food Is
sues? Rice and beans only desired. Thet'
have been many deaths OF natives b.
failing walls. So far only one soldier re
ported dangerously injured, Several sown
rreported entirely demolished. As yet hay
reports from only four ports.
Complete destruction OF all barracks q
80 IA two Others one company OF each
had barracks DESTROYED. Troops are i
canvas. No reports yet from the larSes