Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-09-12
THE TEXAS STORM.

Hundreds OF men worked all Monday
1ight aud yesterday removing the dead
from the ruins of the devastated city Of
Galveston. Many OF the bodies are 90
crushed and mangled as to be unrecog-
aizable.
The following appeal for aid is is-
sued by the local relief committee:
"a conservative estimate of the loss
of life lie that it will reach 5000; al
least 5000 families are shelterless, and
wholly destitute. The entire remain
der OF the population is suffering 10
greater or less degree. Not a single
church, school or charitable institution,
of which Galveston had so many, is
left intact. Not a building escaped
damage, and half the whole number
we're entirely oblterated. There is
immediate need for food, clothing and
household goods of all kinds. II
oearby cities will open ssylums
for women and children the situation
will be greatly relieved. Coast cities
should send them water, as we'll as
provisions. including Kerosene oil,
gas Zine aud candles"
For the protection of property, the
city Is virtually under martial law
The regular soldiers who escaped the
Jury Of the storm and company OF
State militia patrol the streets.
Official reports from Galveston to
Gov. Sayers yesterday were that 400
bodies have been identified, 200 more
are in an improvised morgue awaiting
Identification, and many more are
thought TO have drifted out TO sea and
their identity will not be known for
weeks.
Fifteen thousand persons are home
less in GslvestpD. From Thirteenth
5 rect east to the Gulf few houses are
san ling. The end of the island is OBJ
liberated Every house 10 town, big,
little, public or private, is mole or less
damaged. A thousand small craft lie
wrecked Oh the shore.
A horde OF negroes and whites, even
white women, hocked to the ruins
There they were robbiDg the dead and
diving, killing those who resisted, cut
ting of fingers to obtain rings and ears
to obtain earrings. Drunken men were
Keeling about the streets intimidatiDg
citizens. Chief OF Police Ketchum i'm.
mediately ordered the sale Of liquor
stopped and began to swear 10 hundreds
of deputy policemen TO rescue the living
and convey the dead to q hundred diff
ferent morgues.
Early Monday morning negro as
aaulfaA mhifa Uan1an in har homo
aod killed her. A soldier kicked 10
the door aud killed the negro. A
dozen cases OF sssaulting white womeo
reached police headquarters Monday
morning.
Food, horses and sll other supplies
needed for relief work are being reQui.
sitioned by the city and no one dare to
refuse.
Late advices state that a conservs-
tive estimate OF the loss of life at Gal
weston is placed by the citizens CON-
mitlee there at 5000. At least 5000
families are shelterless and wholly des.
utuie. The remainder of the popula-
lion ia suffering in greater or less de-
gree. Not single church, school or
charitable institution, OF which Galve
ton had 50 many, is left intact. Not q
building escaped damage, and half the
whole number was entirely oblitersted.
There is immediate need for food,
clothing and household goods of all
kinds. Reports coming 10 from other
cities and towns will carry the loss OF
life to over 1000, and the property loss
close to $50, 100000, these being con-
sentative estimates.
The railroads have suffered the loss
of millions OF dollars on actual damage,
to say nothing of the loss from stop
page of business. At Galveston the
whsrves, warehouses, depots aud tracks
are ruined. The costly bridges which
connected the island must be entirely
ftahuiit