St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1900-09-15

Il
out, and that one-half of the resi-
dents have to face absolute poverty.
Houston, Tex, Sept. l0.-A
scene of dessolation and death, not
only at Galveston, but at many IN
land points in Texas, is the condi-
ton presented as a result of Satur-
days storm.
Estimates Of the number of
dead are placed between 5000 and
10000. The property loss will ag-
gregale many millions OF dollars,
although no accurate figures can be
given at present. No complete
list of dead is obtainable until the
water recedes.
Narrowing tales of the loss Of
whole families aid miraculous es-
capes are told by the few surviv-
ors who have thus far reached this
city. The relief trains which ar
rived here early this morning have
been the only means of communl-
cation with the storm-swept Gal
weston, and definite information as
to the present situation is scarce.
The cotton and rice crops
throughout the district devastated
by the storm are badly damaged In
many places, and Ill many others
totally destroyed.
Reports from Richmond, Texas
City, Letltia and Eagle Lake bring
additional lists Of dead and prop
erty losses, and many places cut
off from all communication are yet
to be heard from.
A newspaper writer who got
through from Galveston to-day
made the following statement:
HEARTRENDING
in the extreme. For the injured 1t
grows worse momentarily. The
list Of dead will not be known fully
for weeks; the list of missing will
swell rapidly as soon as the PEG.
pie have begun 10 report their
losses to the authorities and gradu-
ally the list of missing will change
into the list Of dead as the bodies
are recovered from the ruins in
this city or are picked up on the
beach Of the mainland where many
of them lie, it is believed.
Newspaper correspondents say
that the list, il ever made up, will
not fall short of 1000 and may 60 to
10, OOO- There is no attempt being
made at Identification, and it is
only when relatives or friends find
bodies that the names are reported.
The bouies are being buried at sea,
burned and buried In trenches.
There are many of them still in the
ruins. One correspondent states
that $500 have been buried at sea
and 700 gotten rid Of in other ways.
That would leave 1000 bodies still
IN the debris, and the estimate does
not appear to be too high.
Supplies are being hurried to
Galveston by boat as fast as posi-.
BILE because the survivors Of the ter
riblc hurricane are described as be-
ing in \ most pitiable condition and
suffering sorely for food and cloth.
ing, and especially for water, which
hos to be brought from the main
land, IS the city water works were
destroyed ana the under ground
cistelns Of stores and residence.
ruined by beng flooded with sail
Mater from the Gull. It is feared
that when the worst is known the
nunber Of persons drowned and
killed by falling buildings will no,
run short Of 10, 900, and the property
loss will amount to $40, 900, 900.
Negroes and hoodlums, almost ..
soon as tue city recovered from thu
FIRST shock. began looting in thu
ruins. robbing the bodies Of thu
dead and even killing the dying
One negro was killed while crimi
nally assaulting white woman. A
dozen such cases were reported
Tie citizens and tue troops, how.
ever, after shooting down and kill
ing fifty negroes, inundated til,
more lxwless elements and restored
As much order as possible under til,
circumstances, The soldiers hav,
shot twenty five persons for refus
ing tn halt when ordered.
The Galveston citizens polic'
estimate the dead -, 5000. Mayor
Jones concurs in this estimate.
Gen. Manager Van vlieck Of thu
Southern Pacific wired Mr.. Thorn
we'll Fay last night that $500 bodies
ha1 been buried from Galveston
yesterday, including those dumped
hy the barge load into the Gulf.
Tie response for aid has beer
generous and good progress is beint
made toward the opening Ut trans
portation communications.
There is urgent need OF water
medicine, clothing and food a. Gal
weston. The weather is very hot
corpses are purifying in tue ruins
and grave fears are entertained y
pestilence.
Mrs. L. s.. Seixas, son ant
daughter, Arma aud Lucille, wer'
drowned in the storm. Mrs. Selxas
nee Garrison, has relatives in Gov
ington aud Slidell.
Among other Covingtonian'
living in Galveston are W. L
Smith ard family. VIM. Smith ant
family, and John J. Theobsld ant
family. We have heard no tiding'
of them since the storm.