Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1900-09-13

Chicago, Sept. 1l.--A dispatch to the
Chronicle from San Antonio, Tex,
says:
The startling news has just flashed
over the wires informing Gov. j. -.
Sayers that a messenger at great FISK
of his life has reached Virginia Point
from Galveston with the report that
$500 are probably dead as a result OF
the fearful storm. An urgent appeal
to all Texas for help was made. The
messenger said that the grain elevators
at the water front are wrecked and
hundreds of buildings have collapsed
or were carried out to sea. The great
est distress is said to prevail.
wrought Awful Havoc.
Houston, Tex. Sept. 1.-THE West
Indian storm which reached the gulf
coast yesterday morning wrought aw-
full havoc in Texas. Reports are con-
fiicting, but 1t is known that an appall-
ing disaster has befallen the city OF
Galveston, where, 1t is reported two
thousand or more lives have been
blotted out and tremendous property
damage incurred. Meager reports
from Sabine Pass and many other
points also Indicate heavy loss of life
but these reports cannot be confirmed
at this hour. The first news to reach
this city from
The stricken City
of Galveston was received yesterday.
James G.. Timmins, who resides In
Houston and who is the general super
intendent of the National Compress
company arrived in tie city at O'Clock
last night from Galverton. He was
one of the first to reach here with It'd
ings of the great disaster which has be-
fallen that city, and the magnitude of
that disaster remains to be told be-
cause of his endeavors to reach home.
After remaining through the hurricane
on Saturday he departed from Calves
ton on a schooner and came across the
bay to Morgan's Point, where he
caught train for Houston.
The Hurricane,
Mr. Timmins said, was the worst ever
kncHn. The estimates made by citi-
zens of Galveston were that 1000
houses. most OF them residences. have
been destroyed and that at least $500
paople nave been drowned. killed or
missing Some business houses We're
also destroyed, but most of them stood,
though badly damaged. The city MIR.
Timmins AYERS is complete wreck, so
far as he could see from the watae
front and from the fremont hotel.
Water was blown over the island by
the hurricane,
The Wind Blowing
at the rate OF eighty miles an hour
straight from the gulf and forcing the
sea water before 1t in big waves. The
gale was a steady one, the heart of 1t
striking the city about O'Clock Satur-
day evening. and continued without in
termission until midnight, when 1t
abated somewhat, although It contin-
ued to blow all night. OF his own
knowledge Mr.. Timmins knew of only
one house succumbing with fatal re-
suits, though he heard of many resi-
dences being carried away with In
mates. The house that he saw de-
stroyed was Ritter's saloon and restau-
rant at 259 Strand street, principal
business street Of the city. This three
story building
Was Blown Down
and nine men, prominent citizens. were
killed. 1t is reported that the orphan
asylum and both the hospitals were de-
stroyed. and IL this proves true the
loss of life will be great, as these In
stitutions We're generally crowded and
as they were substantial buildings the
chances are that many had taken ref
uge in them. The water extended
across the island. Mr.. Timmins said
it was three feet deep in Market street.
Small craft are floating bottom up In
the bay. Along the water front the
Damase Was Very Great
The roofs had been blown from all the
elevators and all along the water front
the buildings had lost their sides and
were no protection TO their contents.
There is small steamship ashore three
miles north of Pelican island, but Mr..
Timmins could not distinguish her
name. She is flying British flag. An
other big vessel had been driven ashore
at Virginia Point. and still another is
aground on the island. A short dis
tance from Pelican Point another vessel
is ashore. The lishtship that marks
Galveston bar Is hard and fast aground
at Bolivar Point.
vessels Wrecked
Mr.. Timmins and the others with him
on the schooner rescued two sailors IN
the Middle bay who had been many
hours In the water. These men were
foreigners and he could gain no infor-
nation from theEi. A wrecked vessel
looking like large steam tug was
seen in the bay just before landing.
The carcasses of nearly 200 horses and
mules were seen. but no human bodies
were visible. The scenes during the
storm, Mr.. Timmins said. could not be
described. Women and children were
crowded into the fremont house.
where he
Had sought Shelter
At night they we're bemoaning their
losses and completely filled the hotel
What was going on In other portions OF
the city could not be described. He
says the city OF Galveston is entirely
cut OF from communication. The
bridges are gone and railway trains
a. -