Arizona republican., 1900-09-10

Houston. Texas, Sept. 9.-The West Indian storm which reached the gulf coast yesterday morning has wrought awful havoc in Texas. Reports are conflicting. but it is known that an ap- palling disaster has befallen the city of Galveston, where it is reported thousand or more lives have been blot ted out and tremendous property dam age inflicted. Meager reports from Sa- 'bine Pass and Port Arthur also indicate heavy loss of life, but these reports cannot be confirmed at this hour. The first news to reach this city from the stricken city of Galveston was received tonight. James C. TimnIins of Hous- ton, general supe rintendent of the Ma tional Compress company, arrived here at o'clock tonight from Galveston. After remaining through the hurricane cn Saturday he departed from Gal weston on a schooner and came across the bay to Morgan's Point, where he caught train for Houston.
 The hurricane, said Timmins, was the worst ever known. The estimates by the citizens of Galveston were that four thousand houses, most of them residences. have been destroyed and at least 1000 people have been drowned, hllleu or are missing. SOlle 'DuSlUSSS houses were also destroyed, but most of them stood, though badly damaged.
 The city. Mir. Tirlmins ayers. is complete wreck so far as he could see from the water front and the Fremont hotel. Water was blown over the island by hurricane. the wind blowing at the rate of eighty miles an hour straight from the gulf and forcing the sea water before it in big waves. The gale was a steady one, the heart Of it striking the city about o'clock yesterday morning and blowing with cut intCrmisslon until idnight last night, when it abated somewhat, al though 1t continued to blow all night. Of his own knowledge, MT. Timmins knew of only one house succumbinr with fatal results, though he heard of many residences being carried away with their inmates. The house that he saw destroyed was Ritter's saloon and restaurant at 2l09 Strand street, the principal business str ct of the city. This three-story building was blown down and nine men, prominent citizens, were killed.
 It was reported that the orphan asy- lum and both hospitals were destroyed, and if this proves true. thu loss of life will be great, as these institutions were generally crowded. and as they were substantial buildings the chances are that many persons had tiken refuge in them.
 The water extended across the island. Mir. Timmins said it was three feet deep in the rJtunGa of the Fremont hotel and six feet deep in Market street. Along the water front the damage was very great. Roofs had Cecn blown from all the elevators and the sheds along the wharves were either wrecked or had lost their sides and were of no protection to the con- tents. Most of the small saning craft were wrecked and were either piled up On the wharves or floating bottom sidr Up in she bay.
 There is a small steamship ashore three miles north of Pelican island, but Mir. Timmins could not distinguish her name. She was flying the British flag. Another big vessel had been driven ashore at Virginia Point and etil another is aground at Texas City
 At the south point of Houston island an unknown ship lies in helpless con- ditign.