The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-09-12
A VERY THRILLING EXPERIENCE
WAS THAT OF MR.. WIN. II. CoYLE
OF HOUSTON
In Rcscuing women and Children
ut Morgan Point During the
Recent Severe storm.

Mr.. VIM. II. Coyle of this city owns a
PLEASANT little summer cottage located
within a short stones throw OF normal
tidewater level near the bay shore at Nor
gan Point. on last Friday morning. IN
order to escape the intense heat prevail
ing in Houston, he decided upon u weeks
outing to his cotage, so with The pros
pect of pleasant week before him he left
for mis- summer residence accompanied By
his two daughters and several OF their
young lady friends all with joyous hearts
ami gay.
Saturday afternoon the big storm begun
10 develop It's strength. Seeing their
danger and recognizing in Mr.. Coyle's cat
tdse one OF the safest houses in the vi
entity, quite a number OF unprotected
laaies, ne ghbors of the FANNY decided
to apply for shel GER underneath It's roof
for the night, an act OF courtesy and nos-
pitality which Mr.. COyla Wus only too
pleased to extend to them in their helpless
condition. Among those SO applying we're
Mrs. ii. NJ. Curtin and two children oil
this city. AbsuJ twenty-five were thus
filtered. Mr.. Coyle sought out i neigh
bGr, MIR. James Black. and arranged with
him TO make several trips with two
horse wagon in the possession OF the lat
ter until the en- ire party shsu.d be trsns-
ported to d place OF even greater security.
The waters began to rise higher and be-
come more boisterOus. Just at the ime
taat they were preparing to put INTO exc
cutfon their plans for an exodus toward
higher ground, "A message came for Mr..
Block that at some distance away MS
mother and father were in great danger
Of drowning. That was a sufficient oonsid~
GRAFTON for Mr.. Black to Immediately dis
solve partnership with Mr.. Coyle and obey
the dictates OF iiliIl love and organize
account-or rather, on account CT his par
ents. This he proceeded to do without
any arguments or other unnecessary delay,
leaving Mr.. COyle 10 look after the well
fare Of his fir mock alone and unaided.
In the meantime the waters encroached
still further upon The land, and angry
waves began to splash and sputter under
meath the flooring of the cottage. The en-
tire party were forced to spend the night
amid surroundings which would upp4ll tao
heart OF one Of the stouteyt and most stall
wart men. At first the ladies' were greatly
frightened, as we'll they had cause to be,
and Mr.. Coyle WIS a very busy man Tor
a while IN consoing and cheering hem.
Their womanly wit and native courage
came to their rescue and they dried their
tears, Tor they recognized the futity OF
Illumination and the efficacy Of song and
prayer under the circumstances. They
were AT last face 10 face with death ana
they feared him rot. If they were doomed
to yield up their lives during that frlghtm
night they would do so brayely and with
song OF triumph over the terrors on the
grave upon their lips and prayer to tna
Creator within their lips, they conduct
ed an informal religious service during
the remainder OF that long TO be-remem-
bered night, From this time on Mr. Coyle
slys their self-possesslon and conduct
were admirable, indeed,
The waves by this time had reached
enormous proportions--they dashed over
the house. against the house and under
the house Huge pieces OF drifting wreck
age riding upon the waves also added 10
the confusion and danger by lamming up
against the cottage with great fer0clty
and frequency that was appalling 10 one
OF a sensitive nature. In this way several
windows We're knocked out % the house
and every wave that dashed against the
building left it's fun quota Of water wltn-
IN DOORS. Mr. Coyle became desperate
While firm believer In the efficacy of
PRAYER, he also believes that faith and
work form pretty good combination
under circumstances like these II was
uHrk within doors, the lamps having bet,
eNtlnguished by the wash of the waves
some time previous, but undeterred by
such minor considerations he procured AN
axe with which he cut large holes in the
Moor, thereby relieving considerable
amount OF pressure which had been ex-
erted by the reflex action OF the waters.
~
doors, furniture and such other articles
oI Vlrtu which happened to impress him
WIN their capacity FOR buoyancy. and he
instructed each member OF his flock how
10 use them In the event of being forced
10 DO so by the raging elements. Han
ply however, this contingency never
arose Tor after night OF horror, when
,hey expected each moment to be fTlelr
htst up earth. The spirits of this forlorn
little band were cheered nv the d,v's vel, rs.
the storm
Rescue was in sight Messrs. Blacx.
llFon and Curtin. who had come down
curing the storm. r0wed out TO them In
.hlh they had discovered beachai near
oy and che party was brought in safety
10 higher ground upon the instelIment
plAn--9 Doatload at a time. Then they
came rack to Houston, and there ends
ehe chapter--no, not quite, for the re-
porter had alm1st neglected Mr. Curtin
ana his experience. which presents the
iaoSt pa'hG'lc feature Of the entire story
HsnNious about his wife and children ana
caring storm, he left on train for ia
rorte late saturday afternoon. Being
ui"ole TO procure q conveyance AT th1t
place FOR e!ther l0ve or money. or both
combined, he proceeded to set out nfoot
ier MS eottage at the point. After q
hard hurried pace he succeeded In reach
,ns me crest 0f ridge within slight OF
n4s eowago just IN time 20 sec II dis-
solved Under his terrified gaze. toeetees
sas he thought knowing no hetterl vim
ian'iy' his iovei ones. The distance
NJ ~. ,po great for hirl 10 DE OF any as
slst.nee >Shatever should he oycn s,ss.