Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1899-08-17
AWFUL HURRICANE.
Islands in West Indian Waters
Stricken With Storm and Flood.
In Ponce, Porto Rico, at Least 800 Persons
Were DrOwned-Famine Follows in the
Storms Wake and Secretary Root
Appeals for Aid.

Ponce, P. B., Aug. 12.-In the recent
storm which struck Ponce the place
was flooded and at least 800 persons
were drowned. Two hundred bodies,
mostly those of poor people and in
Guiding many children, have been re-
covered. All the buildings are dam
aged and hundreds have been destroyed.
The soldiers and firemen worked hero
ically saving lives. There is no drink
ing water, gas, ice or electric light.
The commissary stores at Playa were
destroyed, the city is short of food and
the army officers are distri buting ra-
tions. Fifteen vessels in the harbor
were driven ashore.
A mob of 1000 persons threatened
the alcalde, Porrata Doria, but they
were dispersed by the Fifth cavalry.
The alcalde has been depOsed on ac-
count of negligence Maj. Myers, of
the Eleventh infantry, is acting as
alcalde in response to popular demand.
The sum of So, 600 will be needed to
clean the streets. The sanitary condi-
ton is serious and assistance is needed.
ALI the crops are totally ruined, the
wires are all down and little news is
Obtainable from the interior.
Abonita, including the barracks, has
been destroyed, but no lives lost there.
Juan Diaz has been devastated. Forty
six lives were lost there. Arroyo,
Guayama, Salinas and San Isabel are
reported to have been totally demol-
ished. Sixteen lives lost here. The
railroad between Ponce and Yauco has
been destroyed and the military road
is impossible. The river is flowing
over the road for two miles
Mayaguez escaped serious in Jury.
Bananas are the sole food here. The
poems have gone to San Juan and it's
vicinity, which are comparatively I'M
injured.
At Guayamo the houses are still
standing. Seven persons were killed
there. a number of houses were pill
Jagged, squads of soldiers were unable
to maintain order and starvation
threatens the population. The water
supply of San Juan has been stopped.
The Coamo Springs hotel has been
wrecked. 1t belonged to the Porto
Rico company of Philadelphia.
Secretary Roots Appeal.
Washington, Aug. 12.-The war de-
partment yesterday took prompt meas
ures for the relief of the hurricane suf-
ferers in Porto Rico. Secretary of War
Root yesterday sent the following ap-
peal to the mayors of all cities of more
than $50, 900 population:
Sir: The governor general of Porto Rico con-
firms the report that upon the Sth inst. hurri-
cane swept that island, entirely demoliShing
many towns, destroying many lives and reduc-
ing, so far can be estimated not less than
100000 of the inhabitants to the condition of alb
Solute restitution, without homes food. IN
less immediate and effective relief is given these
unfortunateS they will perish from famine
Under these conditions the president deems
that appeal should be made to the humanity
of the American people. 1t is an appeal to their
patriotism also, for the inhabitants of Porto
Rico have freely and gladly submitted them
selves to the guardianship of the United States,
and have voluntarily surrendered the protection
of Spain, to which they were formerly entitled,
confidently relying upon more generous and
benehcent trea tment at our hands. The
highest considerations of honor and good
faith unite with the promptngs of
humanity to require from the United
States generous response to the
demand of Porto Rican distress. This depart
ment has directed the immediate distribution
of rationS to the sufferers by the army in Porto
Rico, so far as it is within the power of the eX-
ecutive, but in absence of any appropriation we
must rely largely upon private contributions