The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-09-26
MARTIAL LAW DECLARED
Troops Sent to Galveston to Preserve
Order and Prevent Vandalism.
BODIES THROWN INTO THE GULF.
Armed Men Compel Idlers to Help Dis
nose of the Dead-Relief Committee
Describes the Awful Conditions In the
Stricken Ciiy-5oOO Families Destitute
-vandaIs Shot Down by Citizens.


-vandaIs Shot Down by Citizens.
Houston, Tex. Observation-Disclosures
has been placed under martial law by
Governor Savers. General Mckib-
bin. of Fort Sam Houston. was ordered
to Galveston with command of 2O0
men. Cavalry and artillery from
Houston were also ordered there by
Governor Sayers.
During the storm and afterWard
much looting was done. Many stores
had been closed, their owners leaving
to look after their families. The wind
forced in the windows and left the
goods a prey for the marauders.
Ghouls stripped dead bodies of jew
elry and articles of value. Captain
Rafferty,. commanding the United
States troops in Galveston, was ap-
pealed to for help, and he sent in sew
enty men, the remnant of the battery
of artillery. to do police duty. All
Monday night and Tuesday the city
was patrolled by regular soldiers and
citizen soldiery. No one was allowed
on the streets without a pass.
Negroes and hoodlums who had been
looting the dead and robbing deserted
homes made this action necessary.
Four negroes caught robbing the dead
were shot on the spot by enraged citi-
zens. .-. -.
The following statement of condi-
tions and appeal for aid was issued by
the local Relief Committee:
"a conservative estimate sof the loss
of life is that it will reaeh 5000. At
least 5000 families are she e}terless and
wholly destitute. The entire remain
der of the poulation Is suffering In
greater or less degree. Not "a single
church. school Or charitable fnstltu-
ton. of which Galveston had SO many,
is left intact. Not building escaped
damage. and half Of the whole Number
were entirely obliterated.
"There is immediate need for food,
clothing and household goods Of all
kinds. If nearby cities will open satY,
lums for women and children the SIT
uation will be greatly relieved. Coast
cities should send Us water as wei
rs provisions, including kerosene soil.
gasoline and candles" tif,Sl @
Some order has been brought out Of
chaos, and something like q systematic
attempt is being made to clear the
debris and remove the dead. IdIers
have been pressed into service at the
point of, the 5ayonet and made to. work
and a military Gordon has been drawn
tight about the place. Every horse and
mule that was left in the city in in
service. ..: .'...rf.
1t was almost impossible TO get men
to help bury the dead, and finally the
more leyel-headed citizens formed in
squads. and, armed with Winchester
rifles, by force Of arms. made the .un-
willing ones form burial squads and
aid in the gruesome work. Three un-
dertaking establishments were not suf-
ficient to act as morgues, and an emp
ty store room was opened.
A man who has arrived from Gal
weston said that bodies were cast into
the Gulf with weights attached as the
best method Of disposing Of them,
while .others were buried in the sand
where found.
Many Of the bodies had decomposed
so badly that 1t was impossible to send
them to sea for burial. The water had
receded so far. however. that it was
possible to dig trenches, and bodies
were buried where found. Debris COW
ering the bodies was burned where it
could be done safely. -. -.
The work Of securing the names Of
the dead proceeds very slowly. No
list approaching completeness can be
had for weeks, and it is almost certain
shat complete list will never be made
up. AS time wears away the names
Of different persons will be recalled by
those who were neighbors, and they
will be set down in the great death
roll that will be made up, but those
who do not know their neighbors'
names are many, and the identity Of
the lost will be passed to eternity with
out remembrance.