Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-08-18
PORTO RICO DEVASTATED.
At Least 1000 People Killed by
the Storm


---Ponce Inundated and 500 of Her
Residents Drowned 80 Crops and
Houses Destroyed and 100000 Peo-
pie I'm Danger of Starvation.
The hurricane which swept over Guadeloupe,
St. Thomas, st. Croix and Porto Rico lest week
Tuesday was one of the most devastating storms
in the history of the West Indies. One despatch
says hat it is feared that the number Of deaths
now is greater than in 1867 when COCO people per-
ished. More than 100000 people in Porto Rico
are entirely destitute and in danger of starva-
ton. Over 100 bodies have been recovered at
Ponce, where the rivers Portuguese and Canas
overfiowed thel banks. The water from the
ocean also ovr rfioW ed large part of Ponce
There is not a drop Of drinking water in the city,
the cisterns being filled with salt sea water.
Widespread sickness is sure to follow. dread
full stencil arises from the dead bodies.
A despatch Sunday stated that probably 1000
people were drowned in the Ponce district. The
number of people of the poorer classes lost is not
known, but 1t is certain that there were few ia
talities among the persons of the wealther class
and none among the Americans. The work of
clearing away the debris progresses slowly.
Yabucoa, Adjuntas and Humacoa were devas
tated, and In some instances entire villages were
swept out of existence. One hundred persons
reported to have been killed on a coffee plan
tation. Everybody is ruined, pesuence threat
ems and money and work are needed. news
paper appeal has been made to the American
people for relief. The calamity, with the com.
dltion Of affairs
Secretary Root prepared Friday an appeal to
the people OF the United States to aid the suffer
ers in Porto Rico. This action was taken upon
receipt of tel. gram from President Mckinley
suggesting that it be done. The subsistence de-
partment of The army in Porto Rico has been d.
rected TO render temporary aid. The appeal was
sent 10 the mayors OF the large cities of the
country. The transport Mcpherson left New
York Tuesday with large quantity Of rice and
beans, and other fast vessels will carry supplies
soon rs possible
The following despatch was received at Wash
ington Sunday night via Hayti from Governor
General Davis at San Juan, Porto Rico:
The true state Of affairs throughout the island
not yet known because of total destruction of all
telegraphlc connections and great destruction on
all roads, not more than one fourth towns yet
heard from, but enough is known to warrant the
statement that one-fifth OF the dwellings in tie
island are totally destroyed and their owners are
without shelter whatever, or any food beyond
what has been saved from the debris The coffee
crop and most Of the tr es are ruined, and thus
reliance for support is gone. Fully one-thrd of
the people subsst entirely on fruit and a small
degree on tubas. All the former is destroyed and
much of 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.
1.-THE deaths from falling walls and drow min z
| will number more than a thousand and may be
| several times this number. The state OF distress
is very great and when cen fruits saved from
great. l am relieving the suffering everywhere
| within reach as much as possible but in out Of
! the way places are many thousands who cannot
| be reached for some time. The supplies ordered
| sent by the government will help much, but will
| last only for few days, while destituUon must
| continue for some weeks or even months, until
| the bananas grow up from the ground for which
| five months at least required. Food OF all
| kinds is needed, especially rice, beans and cod
| fish which has been the main support outside of
| fruit. Cheap cotton clothing is a so NEEDED, for
| thousands rushed naked from their dwellings at
| night when the gale broke. Medicines are also
| A.A ,net molly N and
| other simple medicines. estimate that at least
1000 tons of food will be required weekly for
| eIal weeks
II have constituted boards all over the island to
| regulate ass stance and a gene al board here to
| conduct the relief work. While l have not yet
full data repeat the estimate that at least 100
900 people are homeless and destitute. Relief
| ration proposed one pound Of food per day Com
| posed Of seven ounces OF beans, seven ounces of
| the food ordered by the Mcpherson / ask that
| $500 tons. above proportions should be shipped
next week Before this is consumed will have
| full data respecting future needs, but fear ex-
tensive issues OF provisions will be necessary for
several months, l shall push work on the roads
| and give employment TO many as possible.
hope the charitable peoples of the states will con
| tribute food, clothes, medicines and money
| Colonel Hofer, chief surgeon Of the department,
| is chairman of the board OF relief and auxiliary
boards are organizing in all the towns Five
(signed1 DAVIS"
Tn a second despatch Gen. Davis said: Further
but still incomplete reports confirm previous cable
reports s conservative Suggest an appoint
ment of officer In New York TO receive relie
funds and supplies, cabling quantities and kinC
shipped on each boat. Colonel Hofer, medca
department, charge relief work here. Should b,
shipped this week not less than $500 tons food
Best to be sent beans, rice and cheap grade cod
fish Cotton clothing and coarse cotton goods il
piece, needles and thread also needed Money
will be applied in assisting to rebuild houses AM
! huts and hire of help
II recommend that bags for sugar and coffee al
kinds of rough lumber for building and fencing
hooks. slaves and hoops for sugar packing an
galvanized iron and nails for roofing purposes b
placed on first list. have authorized employ
ment of labor for r. building barricks at Cayey
and Albomao, which were wholly destroyed"