The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-20
PROBLEMS At GALVESTON
The Local Force Too Small to Clear
Away the Debris.
L Plan to Let the Work by Contract
and bring in Labor From Outside
Missing From st. Mary's PariSh-A
Census of the City go BE Taken.

- GfLYESTON. Tex, Sept. 19.-The most
serious problem which now confronts those
in authority is the disposition Of the dead
and removal of the wreckage. Atpresert this
matter is being attended TO by a large
force scattered through the city. but the
number is not adequate to meet the re-
quirements. At meeting of the auxili-
airy health board held today the question
was thoroughly discussed and committee
was appointed to suggest to Adjutant Gen,
eral Scurry, in charge of the city force,
the adyisability of having the work done
by contract and importing men for this
purpose.
Reports from various wards where men
have been engaged in this character OF
work. show decrease in the numerical
strength, due to exhaustion and other
causes. In some instances men who are
skilled mechanics and who have assisted
in the disposition of the dead, have Sc
cured employment elsewhere. From the
above cause the force has been consider
ably diminished. Under a tropical sun.
the bodies have rapidly decomposed, and
the stencil arising is unbearable.
This evening 1t was announced that
contract would be let for removal of the
dead bodies and debris which. in some
parts of the city. reaches a height of fif-
teen feet. To do this work, about 5000
men will be brought here from the in
terror. They will come with their cooks
and rations and camp on the beach. The
wages were fixed at 81 day. 1t is estl-
thirty days TO remove The wreckage.
Under one pile of debris today thirty
bodies were unearthed and were cremated.
Bodies are still being washed ashore at
Texas City, Bolivar. and other coast points
near Galveston. There is no time to dig
graves and the corpses are hastily con-
signed to the flames.
The city is still under martial law and
guards are patrolling the streets day and
night. An example was made of man
who was arrested by one of the guards,
after selling liquor. The offender was
marched TO general headquarters and after
a severe reprimand was put to work on the
street gang removing and disposing of
bodies. He will serve without pay for n
indefinite period.
IN the vIcini.; OF Sealy. St. Mary's. and
CT debris containing many bodies, and the
health board has sent an urgent appeal to
headquarters TO have this debris cleared
away as soon as possible
census has been taken of ST. Mays
Catholic parish, embracing the territory
from Sixteenth to Twenty seventh Streets
1t shows loss of 279 from this parish
alone. census of :le city is now being
taken which will embrace d list Of he sur
vivors. the dead. and the amount % per-
sonal property loss.
Death from q broken heart was the doc
tors verdict when Miss Clara Olsen died
early this morning Like others who sur
vived the storm. she passed through a
most horrible night buffeted about by the
turbulent waters. bruised and SCARED by
flying missiles When the storm ,gss at
IFS height. the iiftie house she occupied
With -heE age9 mother could not Withstand
she efsain and collapsed. Mother md
we're thrown cut upon the waves
Tightly ciaspfug her mothers hand. the
daughter sought refuge on floating kouse
top. For several hours they foated help
lessIy about. the grip on her mothers
hand soon relaxed and floating timber
driven with terrific force by the wind.
crushed the old woman's skull, and the
body was soon engulfed Semi-conscious.
the girl drifted about until the water sub
sided Then she went to the Ursuline
Convent, where she was kindly cared for
by the sisters. For days she partook
lightly of nourishment grieving con-
stsntly for her lost parent. and today she
died. From the cathedral she was buried
this morning-the last of her family.
Another negro has been added to the
list of dead for the crime of looting To-
night a guard attached to the Dallas
Rough Riders discovered man attempt
ing TO break into warehouse on Eigh-
teenth and Strand Streets containing com
stores. The command to halt
was given, but no attention was paid to
It, A moment later a shot was fred
The offender was killed instantly. No
attempt was made at Identification and
the body was burned. The city is quiet
tonight and the shooting OF the negro has
little attention.
Captain Page, of the Dallas Rough Rid
ers, who has made careful survey Of the
town, estimates that there are LOCO bodies
yet to be taken out of the ruins. To-
night the Lloyd Rifles, Of Fort Worth,
arrived and will assist the other militia
men in patrolling the city.
DESTRUCTION AT HITCHCOCK