The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-26
Approved by Governor Sayers, Who Is
in the stricken City, and In
dorsed by Clara Barton.
REVIEW OF THE SITUATION
DEAD PLACED At 5000, AND PROP
ERTY LOSS AT $s0,OO0,OOO.
Sufficient Money 10 Clear Away the
wreckage, but Not to Provide
Homes fs.s ~ e Isestitute.

GALVESTON. Tex, Sept. 25.-The fol-
lowing signed appeal was issued tonight 10
the American people:
Seventeen days after the storm at Cal
weston II is still impossible to accurately
estimate the loss of life and property. But
1t is known that the dead in the city Will
number at least 6,00O or approximately
cne-sixth of the census population. The
island and adjacent mainland Will add per-
haps two thousand to this number The
actual property damage is incalculable in
precise terms, but we believe the individual
losses and the losses in public property.
such as paving, water works, schools, hos
pitals, churches, ETC., Will easily amount
to $4,000, 600. This estimate takes no ac-
count of the direct and indirect injury to
business. Along the beach front upwards
OF 1900 houses by actual map count were
destroyed. OF these not a timber remains
en- the original sites and the wreckage
constitutes an embankment of debris ex-
tending along the entire beach from three
or four blocks inward for about three
miles, the removal of which will cost from
$750,000 TO s1.0000O0. From this debris there
are still daily uncovered by the workmen
now Systematically employed from thirty
to fifty bodies which are burned or buried
On the spot Moreover, we estimate that
9I15 per cent. OF the remaining houses
throughout the city were damaged in
greater or less degree.
ION the removal of this debris, in the
clearing of streets, in making temporary
repairs to houses not entirely destroyed,
in distributing supplies and the work of
restoration our entire citizenship is en-
gagged. Men whose service could not be
secured at this season ordinarily are giving
their time without compensation. Firms
whose affairs ordinarily require the at
tention Of three partners, retain one for the
transaction of their business and let the
other two to the public service. The
stevedores, cotton TANNERS and other
bodies of organized skilled workmen who
command handsome wages at this time of
the year, have been giving their time free
of cost, and one association has. besides
contributed from the charity fund 81, 900 in
cash 10 the general relief, while all other
organizations are caring for their own to
the utmost of their resources. This devo-
tion 10 the general welfare at the expense
of private interests is shown by all classes
Visiting newspaper men now here will bear
witness to this universal condition of self
sacrifice.
1.-THE burdens Of our committees have
been lightened In a great degree by Gov
ernor Joseph ID. Sayers, who has personal
ly undertaken the supervision of relief TO
the mainland sections. and by the splendid
success of Adjutant General Scurry and
staff in maintaining discipline and directing
labor until the beginning of this work.
when his department was merged into the
regular relief work and city government.
I'VE cannot command the language to
express our gratitude for the generous sup
plies of food clothing, dsinfectants, etc.
from all quarters and agencies. Nor can
We overrate the service performed by the
American press And we desire TO make
special recognition OF the metropolitan
newspapers and the Red Cross Society that
have raised funds and sent relief trains
and cargoes, and whose representatives
ere here, not only distributing their sup
plies, but joining hands with us in the
sorrowful and strenuous labors OF the occa-
sion. By the worlds generosity there has
been no hunger, and now no nakedness in
Galveston. And especially do we return
grateful thanks for the surprising and un-
limited generosity Of the railroads, express,
telegraph and telephone companies, with
out whose prompt assistance we would
longer have remained in isolation and
chaos, and who are not only rendering
services for relief work free of charge, but
are giving IL precedence over any other
business.
1.-The muniicent contributions In money
sent to the Governor and directly TO the
relief committee are, perhaps. sufficient to
defray the necessary expenses of the re-
moval of the wreckage and disposal of the
dead bodies and of meeting the most ur-
gent sanitary requirements. But when this
Is done the special work of restoration will
have but begun. The homeless will still
be without shelter or household goods. the
mechanic without tools the washerwoman
without washtuo, and the seamtress with
out a machine.
Our people are meeting this disaster
with characteristic American pluck Not
forgetting their dead. they nevertheless
hide their sorrows and turn their faces
cheerfuily toward the future. Were our
task bur TO AFFORD temporary relief and 70
care for the wounded and the orphans an
appeal 10 Texas alone would be sufficient
The wounded and orphans are compare
CONTINUED ON THIRD PAGE.)