The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-12
STANDING IN WATER.
Relief Trains Can Get Neither
Forward Nor Back.

New Orleans, Sept IA special to
the Picayune from Beaumont, Tex,
says:
Strange as 1t is, all things considered,
vast as are the stretches of coast coun-
try in this section which were storm
swept, there has been but a single death
reported positively
This statement must not be construed
to mean that there was no further loss
OF life, for there are still many people
missing. Whole families took refuge on
the ridges of Sabine Pass when the
water began to rise. They have not
been heard from, and while their safety
is almost taken for granted here it can
not be stated as a positive fact until
the count of heads is made.
The one life lost was that of jeff
Guniff, fisherman at Sabine. known to
have been lost.
In addition to the possible loss of life
at Sabine Pass there is a train on the
Gulf & Interstate road which left Boil
var Saturday about noon, and which
was detained a mile or SO on the other
side of Bolivar which may have addi-
tional casualty news On this train
there are supposed to be all the resi-
dents of Bolivar Point and intermedi-
ate stations.
From meagre advices received here
it is gathered that there was no loss of
life along this line either, but here
again definite information is lacking.
Two relief trains are out on the Gulf
& Interstate road, and the refugees are
being transferred. to High island, which
did not suffer from the storm, being 80
feet above high tide. The trains are
expected here some time today, and
then for the first time the truth will be
One thing can be stated with absolute
certainty. From a point thirty miles
from Beaumont on the Gulf & Interstate
to the terminus of the line at Bolivar
Point there is still a clear sweep OF wa
ter to Galveston. The relief trains are
now standing in several feet of water
and the whole country is submerged.
Saturday night and Sunday the break
ers were rolling over the prairies and
across the tracks and the chances are
that not building is left standing in
Patton, GrenshaW or Port Bolivar. The
loss of property is enormous.
AT Sabine Pass and along the tracks
of the Southern Pacific from Beaumont
to this point not much damage was
done.
At the pass several houses were float
ed off their blocks but they kept right
side up and can be put back at a slight
expense. Several houses were damaged
at Sabine but not to any. extent. AT
Port Arthur and along the Kansas City
Southern road there was no damage.
Further along there was no wash to
contend with and while everything was
four feet under water, trains were run
as usual.
A few thousand dollars, will cover the
loss to this company. The loss sustain
ed by the Gulf & Interstate is far heav-
Ter as from High island to Bolivar Point
the roadbed and allzrailS are gone This
is a distance of forty miles. Telegraph
poles and wires and ties were f1oated
far into the prairies and the road from
again.
The shops of the company at Port
Bolivar are also gone. The greatest
losses will come in the matter of stock.
OF the thousands of cattle and horses in
pastures which were inundated not one
in ten escap ped. One herd of thousand
head was swept out to sea- The cattle
which were not drowned will die for salt
water is all over the ridge and their
thirst will kill them.
All in all, taking into consideration the
losses of the railroads and the residents
within this section million dollars Is
conservative estimate.
SUMMARY AT NOON.
Houston, Tex, Sept 12.-Order has be-
gun to take the place of chaos which
has reigned in Galveston since Satur-
days terrible storm, and citizens are re-
covering from the stupefaction of their
sudden disaster. All conservative esti-
mates have been shattered by the eSti-
mates of Mayor Jones of Galveston and
other prominent and conservative men
who in a statement to the Associated
Press, declare that 5000 deaths will re-
suit from the storm. over 100 lives We're