Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1899-08-17


600 were destroyed.
Awful Loss of Life.
San Juan, Porto Rico, July 12.-Five
hundred bodies lie in improvised
morgues at Ponce awaiting identified
ton. The deaths in the vicinity of
Ponce will aggregate 1000. Couriers
from the south who have brought the
governor news of the state of affairs
say that the city of Ponce is a scene
Of awful destruction.
People Crazed with Thirst.
The food of salt water has polluted
every cistern in the city, and mobs
crazcd with thirst besiege Gen. Davis,
commanding the American forces in
the island, at every hour of the day,
demanding water, food, clothes and
shelter.
At Humacao, which is AZ miles from
San Juan, over 100 of the 6,7O0 inhab-
itants persisted. The news of the disas-
ter at Humacao reached this place by
q courier who came to ask for assist
ance. He said that besides the terrible
loss of life he city was practically al
most destroyed. All the churches are
reported in ruins.
Guayama's Great Loss. ~
At Guayama, village of 4,5OO people,
40 miles from San Juan, on the south
coast, seven were killed. Twenty were
killed at Cayey, which is little village
IA miles from Guayama, and the wagon
road connecting the two cities is flood
ed with water and blocked with the de-
bris of the destroyed buildings.
The dead in Arroyo, in the southeast
part of the island, and five miles from
Guayama. number 16.
Four Towns Entirely Destroyed.
The couriers bring word that four i'm
portant towns have been destroyed en-
tirely by the hurricane Guayanilla,
town having 600 inhabitants, IA miles
from Ponce; Guanica, a village of 1000
Inhabitants on the southern coast six
miles from Yauco, which was also de-
stroyed, and Tallaboa, which lies be-
tween Guayanilla and Ponce.
Worse Than First Reported.
Washington, Aug. 12.-The war de-
partment Friday received a cablegram
from Gen. Davis, giving fuller 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
Thursday, and says:
Later reports show that hurricane was
far more severe In interior and southern
part Of island than here.
Data for estimate Of number of Porto
Ricans who have lost everything are de-
fcient, but am forced to believe the NUM-
Der on the island cannot fall below 100000
souls and famine is impending. I ask
that 2,5o0,00o pounds Of rice and beans,
equal quantities of each, be Immediately
Urgent appeals to all post commanders for
food for the destitute. Am authorized 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 in
jured. Several towna. reported entirely
demolished. AS yet have reports from only
four ports. Complete destruction Of all
barracks at two, and at two others one
company Of each had barracks destroyed.
Troops are in canvas. No reports yet from
the largest ports, Ponce and Mayaguex.
At least half Of the people in Porto Rico
subsist entirely on fruit and vegetables,
and storm has entirely destroyed this
source Of support.
lsigned) DAVIS"
To Send Relief at Once.
Washington, Aug. 12.-The war de-
partment has taken prompt action on
Gen. Davis report.
The army transport Mcpherson has
been ordered to sail from New York to
San Juan and Ponce next Monday with
supplies to rel:sve the destitute in
Porto Rico. Acting Commissary Gen.
Weston has ordered the purchase in
New York of 100000 pounds of rice and
600,00c pounds of beans to be shipped
on the Mcpherson. Such other food
supplies as may be obtained at the time
the Mcpherson sails will be sent on that
ship.
Preparing an Appeal.
Washington, Aug. 12.-Secretary
Root has prepared an appeal to the
people of the United States for aid to
those who have suffered in Porto Rico
by the recent cyclone. This action was
taken upon receipt Of telegram from
President Mckinley suggesting that it
be done. The subsistence department
Of the army in Porto Rico has been d.
rected to render such temporary aid as
1t can until supplies arrive.
RuinipE the Crops.
Minneapolis, Mimi, Aug. 10.-Prof.
Otto Lugger, entomologist, reports,