The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-09-12
GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF THE
FRIGHTFUL HURRICANE
AT GALVESTON
WIND AT 100 NILES An HOUR
THEN THE ANEMOMETER WAS
BLOWN AWAY, AND BUILDINGS
FELL IN RUINS
WAVES FLOODED THE CITY
Water on the Strand Reached a
Depth of Eight Feet at
10 O'Clock Satur-
day Night.

GALVESTON, Tex, by Western Union
dispatch boat to Houston, Tex, Sept 10
The terrific cyclone that produced such
distressing destruction was predicted by
the United States weather bureau to
strike Galveston Friday night and created
much apprehension, but the night passed
without the prediction peing verified. The
conditions, however, were ominous, the
danger signal was displayed on the flag
staff of the weather bureau, shipping was
warned, etc. the southeastern sky was
somber, the gulf beat high on the beach
with that dismal thunderous roar that
presaged trouble, while the air had the
stiffness that betokens a storm From
out the north, in the middle watches of
the night, the wind began to come in
spiteful puffs, increasing In volume as the
day dawned.
BY 10 o'clock Saturday morning it was
almost a gale; at noon it had increased in
velocity and was driving the rain, whip
ping the pools and tearing things UP in
a lively manner yet no serious apprehen-
sion was felt by residents remote from
the encroachments of the gulf Residents
near the beach were aroused to the dan
ger that threatened their homes. Stu
pendous waves began to send their wa
ters far inland, and the people began a
hasty exit to secure places in the city
TWO GIGANTIC FORCES
were at work. The gulf force drove the
waves with irresistible force high upon
the beach, and the gale from the North
east pitched the waters again over the
wharves, choking the sewers and flooding
the city. The streets commenced to ill
with water; communication became diff
ficult, while the winds howled and rapidly
increased in velocity.
Business suddenly came to a standstilI,
car traffic was impossible, and all those
that had homes and could reach them,
either by conveyance OF. otherwise, hastily
left their places of business and offered
fabulous prices for any kind of a vehicle
that would carry them to their loved ones
Railroad communication was cut off
shortly afternoon. the track being wash
ed out; wire facilities completely failed
at o'clock and Galveston was isolated
from the world. The wind momentar:ly
increased in velocity while the waters
rose rapidly and the night drew on with
dreaded apprehension depicted in the
face Of every one. Already hundreds and
thousands were bravely struggling with
their families against the mad waves and
fierce wind for places of refuge The pub
lie school buildings, court house hotels
in fact any place that offered apparently
safe refuge from the elements be-
came crowded to their utmost
WRECK AND RUIN.
Two minutes of $50 Q. m, Just before
the thermometer blew away, 1t had regis
tered the frightful velocity of 100 miles an
hour. Buildings that had hitherto stood,
tumbled and crashed, carrying death and
destruction to hundreds of people Roofs
whistled through the air, windows were
driven in with a crash or shattered bY
flying slate; telegraph, telephone and cleo
trio light poles with their masses of
wires, were snapped off like pipe stems.
and water communications were broken.
What velocity the wind attained after the
thermometer blew off is purely a matter
of speculation. The lowest point touched
by the barometer in the press correspond
ent's office, which was filled by frightened
men and women, was 28 O41S.
this was about 7:3O p m. 1t then began
to rise very slowly, and by 10 D. m. had
reached 28.09, the wind gradually subsid-
ing, and by midnight the storm had pass
ed. The water, which had reached a.
depth of eight feet on the Strand at 10
o'clock p. M, began to ebb, and ran out
very rapidly, and by 5 a. m. the crown Of
the street was free of water. Thus pass
ed one Of the most frightfdl and destruct-
I've storms which ever devastated the
coast of Texas.