The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-09-11
ABOUT GALVESTON ISLAND
THE LAY or THE LAND OF THE
ILL-E,ATED CITY.
only Protection Provided for the
Gulf Side of the CITY Are TWO
stone BrcnIwaters.

Indianapolis. September Sd. u. clarhson
OF Galveston, Texas, whose family Is probably
swept away, was an anxious inquirer at tho
Associated Press office here tonight.
Speaking OF the flooded city, it's location,
population and foods that have inundated the
city. he said;
Galveston is situated on an Island extend
ing east and vast for twenty-soyen miles and
seven miles in It's greatest width north and
fouth No city could be In greater danger
with such a horrible visitation as has now
come TO Galveston In no part of tbs city
with its Gs,O0O population is II more than six
feet above the sea Lowell. The fiat condition
not only points TO the desperation OF Che peo-
Pile at such time as this but their danger
may TO considered emphasized whom It IS
known thut exactly whore the city is built the
island Is only one ana one-quarter miles
wide.
"On the bay, or north side OF the city, n
the commercial section with wharyes stretch
Ing alone Tor nearly Two miles, lined win
sheds anc large storage houses. In that
portion Of Galveston there are three eleyat-
ors one OF 100000 bushels capacity one OF
0O0. 600 and the third of 10000. The island
nom the north side Is connected with tho
mainland b. railroad bridges aud the longest
wagon bridge in The world, the latter nearly
two miles In length.
In 1872 tho entire cant end of the city was
swept away ny tho TIDAL wave that followed
t,rrih3 storm that swept the guf coast for
turcc ull days. Then the eastern end, o.
which buildings stood, was literally torn
awey. 1t 10 on the south slis Of the city,
beginning within fifty yards OF tine medium
gulf tido that the wealthy resident portion 10
located and which was the hlsl part of Gal
weston to BIO stricken by the tull force of the
recent storm and 1ood. All tho eastern end
OF the city must certainly ho washed away
hnfgn ItrAu iufax nd
street some OF the handsomest and most
expensive residences arc located. There was
located there one home which aone cost the
owner over sl,000,00D Most Of the residences
are FRAME but there ara many OF stone and
brick.
In tho extreme eastern end of the cit,
there are many of what we call ''rased cot
tages." They are built ON plllng ana stand
from eight TO ten feet from the ground az a
precaution against Hoods. It being possible
for the water 10 sweep under them.
Tho only protection that has ever been
provided for the gulf side OF the city Is
two stone brcakwaters, but many times with
ordinary storms coming In from tho gulf tue
high tide water has been hurled over the
low stone walls right 10 the very doors OF
thu residents.
From Virginia Point. six miles from Gar.
weston, IN ordinary conditions Of the atinos-
pierre The city can be plainly seen. II It Is
true that Galveston can not be seen from
the Point, the condition Of the people In the
city must be indescrlDable horror"
When asked as to the wealth OF some OF
the principal business quarters OF Galveston,
Mr., Clarkson said. MANY millions OF dollars
are invested in the Wholesale and retail busi-
ness OF the city On strand street alone thsre
are ten blocks or business establishments that
represent IN Invested capital OF ll2IOoO.oOO
Market street Is the heavy retail street and
there in the heart OF the Hooded district the
losses can not but reach away into the mil
lions The fact. as indicated by the dispatches
that water is standing several feet in the
fremont hotel furnishes startling evidence
fal.f han laH M go a
] Tally wrecked The hotel Is In almost exact
ly tho center OF tho city.
/ Two years ago Galveston aid the heaviest
Southern city,"