The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-10
Sabine Pas. Reported Destroyed.

HOUSTON, Tex, Sept. 8, 4:S0 p. m.-The
storm that ragged along the coast of Texas
last night was the most disastrous that has
ever visited this section. The wires are
down and there is no way Of finding out
just what has happened, but enough is
known to make it certain that there has
beer great loss of life and destruction of
property all along the coast and for hun
dred miles inland. Every town that is
reached reports one or more dead, and
the property damage is so great that there
is no way of computing it accurately.
Galveston remains isolated. The Houston
Post and the Associated Press correspond
ent made efforts to get special trains and
tugs to-day, with which to reach the
island city. The railroad companies de-
clined to risk their locomotives. All sorts
of rumors prevail, but with no substan-
tial basis. 1t is known that the railroad
bridges across the bay at Galveston either
are wrecked or are likely to be destroyed
with the weight Of a train on them; the
approaches to the wagon bridge are gone
and it is rendered useless. The bridge of
the Galveston, Houston & Northern Rail-
road is standing, but the drawbridges over
and the road cannot get trains through
to utilize the bridge across the bay.
A train went down the Columbia tap
road this morning as far as Chenango
Junction. The town was greatly damaged.
and the bodies of nine negroes were taken
from the ruins of one house. The train
could proceed no further and came back
to Houston, leaving the fate of the people
at Angleton, Columbia, Brazora, Velasca
and Quintana unknown.
The small town of Brookshire, on the
Missouri, Kansas & Texas, was almost
wiped out by the storm. The crew of a
work train brought this information.
When the train left there bodies of four
persons had been recovered and the search
for others was proceeding.
Hempstead across the country from
Brookshre. also was greatly damaged. but
so far as known no lives were lost.
Sabine Pass has not been heard from to-
day, and a report from Beaumont says
the town has been destroyed. Yesterday
morning the last direct news was received
from there, and at that time the water was
surrounding the old town at the pass, and
the wind was rising and the waves running
high. At the new town. which is some dis
tance back, the water had reached the
depot and was running through the streets
The people were leaving for the high coun-
try known as the Back Ridge. and it is
believed that all escaped.
Two bodies have been brought in from
Seabrook, on Galveston bay. and seven
teen persons are missing there.
Three persons were drowned at Morgan's S
Point and others are missing. With the
exception of those of Mrs. Nicholson and
Mrs. Jane woodlock, the bodies of the dead
have not yet been identified.
In Houston one person was killed, Henry
Black, a hack driver. The property dam
age is great. a conservative estimate plac-
ing il at $250,0OO The Merchants & Plant
ers' oil mill was wrecked entailing a loss
of $4,000 The Dixon car wheel works suf-
fered to the extent of $4,000. The big
Masonic Temple, which is the property of
the Grand Lodge of the State. was partly
wrecked Nearly every church in the city
was damaged. The First Baptist, Southern
Methodist and Trinity Methodist, the latter
a negro church. will have 10 be rebuilt
before they can be used again. Many busi-
ness houses were unroofed. The residence
portion of the town presents dilapidated
appearance, but the damage in this. part of
this city has not been so great as in some
others. The streets are almost impossible
because of the litter of shade trees, fences,
telephone wires and poles. Much damage
was done to window glass and furniture.
Many narrow escapes are recorded.
Another train has left here for Galveston,
making the third to-day. The two preced-
ing ones have not been heard of, as all
wires are Frustrated.