The evening times., 1900-09-14

GALVESTON, Sept. 1.-THE chairman of
the committee appointed to visit Austin
and personally describe the situation in
Galveston to Governor Sayers, declares
that he estimates the property loss here at
$4,000 Gee, or about twice as much as any
estimate heretofore given.
An organized band Of ghouls has been
discovered with headquarters in the wreck
ed Southern Pacific Dredge boat, warped
inland behind Texas City.
Two of its members were arrested by
soldiers of the Galveston Sharpshooters
and jewelry stolen from the dead, aggre-
eating in value thousands Of dollars. re-
covered and turned over TO the authori-
ties
The work of clearing up the debris on
the beach was begun yesterday. the torch
being applied when it could be done safely
Very little progress was made, but scores
of bodies were uncovered and cremated.
State Health officer Blunt arrived yes
terday at the head of a body OF $50
men to act as sanitary corps. His
chief lieutenant Is Mr.. brennan. the
Commissioner OF Public Works at Hous-
ton
Three Of the leading men of Galveston
are on their way TO Austin to c-nfer
with Governor Sayers regarding the sit
uation here They were Major J. D.
Skinner, commission merchant. AMI
Acting President OF the Cotton Ex-
change; Thomas Goree, Trea surer of he
Texas Land and Lumber Company. and
Frank NJ. Spencer, a prominent co.po-
ration attorney. These gentlnen were
appointed TO act as spokesmen for Gal
weston by the general committee in
charge of relief work
In an interview prior to leaving for
Austin last evening Major Skinner sid:
4 think that 5.000 persons or mere were
lost in Galveston proper.
The loss is much greater when the ter
ritory adjacent TO the city limits is taken
into consideration. As to the property
loss, 1 am convinced that $4,000 ,O00 is
conservative estimate. I base this belief
upon my knowledge OF value CLEANED from
my experience as acting mayor
There is not a sound building in tie
limits of the city. Costly buildings which
are still standing in the business portion
Of the city are out OF plumb, their walls
are cracked and they will have to be con-
demned and torn down. The stocks car
ried by the merchants and in the ware
houses were either totally destroyed or
badly damaged
The most urgent need of Galveston is
now being manifested in definite form
The citizens committee has sent to the
Houston Relief Committee a list of arti-
cles of which immediate use can be made
to great advantage. 1t is headed with
lime and other disinfectants in large
Lime viii be used literally on the bay
side, where decaying bodies in the wreck
age are still numerous. The cremation
has been pushed so vigorously on the
beach or Gulf side that the air is growing
purer. Other articles for which Calves
ton called, and which the Houston Com
mittee has forwarded, We're:
Oil for cooking and Illuminating, can
dies, small gasoline stoves, feed for hors-
es potatoes, beans. rice, grits, canned
milk, crackers, lemons, and lemon syrup.
Most of the supplies will be distributed
in Houston, for the citizens committee
believes that an epidemic can only be
averted by sending IS many people as pos
sible out of the city. The plight OF many
is pitiable They were stripped by the
elements of everything. Store owners have
been requested by the committee to open
and supply clothing. Generally they com
piled In one case the potent argument
OF gun had to be used before clothing
could be obtained and distributed to the
sufferers.
The condition of the destitute has i'm
proved during the last twenty-four hours
Food, ice, and disinfectants have come in
Coffee, bread, and bacon have been dis
trib1ted.
The. Government tents and rations from
San Antonio arrived at Texas City yester-
day but, owing to the lack of transpor-
tation, We're held up there. The tents will
be pitched upon the beach far to the west
ward of the city, and those who do not
care 10 leave Galveston will be provided
for by the committee. The destitute are
still in converts and public buildings.
Several members of the United States
Hospital Corps from San Antonfa have
come in with the supplies and are of great
assistance to the medical men in looking
after the sanitary conditions
Fraternal orders are sending committees
with money and supplies for members. The
Masons, odd Fellows, knights of Pythias.
Chosen Friends, Woodmen and Foresters
are already represented on the ground.
81 25 to Baltimore and Return via
b. GS o, Saturday and Sunday.