Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-12
DEATH LIST Is GROWING.
GaINest0n's Mayor Now Thinks 5000
People Perished.


HOUSTON, Texas. September 12.-The
appalling nature of the great tragedy at
Galveston grows steadily as communica-
tiCn is restored and refugees reach haven
of safety here. bringing with them stories
of a calamity unparalleled in American his
tory.
When early reports of the disaster
reached the outside world, giving an esti-
mate of 1.5O0 souls swept suddenly into
eternity. the news was received with in
credulity. Last night Mayor Jones of Gal
weston made the astounding statement that
a conservative estimate of the dead Is not
less than 5000 souls
The latest news from the stricken city IS
sensational 1t is shocking So dan
gerous menace to the safety of the sur
vivOrs has the existence of rapidly decom-
posing corpSes become that every able
bodied man who can lend a hand is en-
gagged in the work of cremating those
bodies that remain in the debris, and of
consigning to the sea or the common
trenches. those that are picked up on the
streets or along the stOrm-swept beach.
Already it is stated 300 have thus been
disposed of in the interest of human life
and the preservation of public sanitation.
Fiends Flock to Stricken City.
Though hardly credible, the news seems
amply confirmed, that fends in human
form have hOcked to Galveston to rob the
dead and to loot their homes. Intense in
dignation has been aroused over the terri
bic disclosures, and the report of the kill
ing of more than score of the ghouls by
the soldiers and citizens find the strongest
commendatiOn in public sentiment.
Now, however, that Mayor Jones has
a he nd
has both the support of state and regular
troops, ii is assured that the city will be
more thoroughly -policed and further desc
Grafton of the dead promptly stopped.
The most exhaustive efforts have been
made To- obtain a complete list of the vic
time Of the disaster. That seems an i'm
throught new census of the living will
the full number of the identity OF those
who lost their lives be known.
Estimates with respect to property loss
are apparently only guess work.
Relief Work in Full Sway.
The relief work under full sway at
Houston is along two Iines-to succor those
who cannot leave Galveston and to bring
out Of the city all of those who can and
willing TO leave.
Mayor Jones and the citizens committee
OF the island city are urging that only those
shall be permitted to enter Galveston whose
presence is imperative. and transportation
lines are straining every nerve in order
that they may accord the privilege to those
who are pleading to get away from the
scenes of horror and desolaton around
them
Hundreds of people have come to Hous-
ton from the four points of the compass,
all anX-Ou to get into the stricken town;
but s-nce the exodus Of islanders has be-
gun many OF these have concluded to re-
he ha he riSly pf
m sslng on the way those for whom they
are in search.
News has gradually been reaching here
OF the immense losses along the coast be-
yond Galveston.
Damage difficult to estimate in dollars and
cents has been done in wide stretch OF
territory, and many human lives have been
lost, besides those which are wiped out in
Galveston and its immediate vicinity.
Estimate of the Damage
Based on reports believed to be accurate
the following statement Is probably as near
correct as can be arrived at at this time;