The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-09-21
IN STOLIO MISERY
GaIvestonians Contemplate
SuIIenIy Their Ruin.
CAN'T REALIZE IT YET
{. I, Garrett and Mrs. Smith
Arrive From There.

and water. They arrived here Wednes-
day about midnight over the Santa Fe.
Mr.. and Mrs. Smith formerly lived In
Wichita, and resided at the corner of
Wichita and Texas streets on the West
Side. After a residence of two years in
Wichita they moved to Galveston, and
had lived there six years. Mr. Garnett
is son of Mr.. j. H Garnett of 702
South Emporia avenue. Mr.. Garrett
went to Galveston about five years ago.
and made his home there with the
Smiths
When Mr.. Garrett was first seen at
the home of his parents by reporter
for the Eagle he said that he disliked to
talk Of Galveston's misfortune.
Since getting up here into civilization
everything seems so different" he said.
land the past seems like an ugly dream.
While L was there I did not seem to
mind it, but now do not want to think
about it."
Mrs. Smith and children are at the To-
peka Avenue Hotel and last evening
they and Mr.. Garrett met a few friends
there.
Speaking Of their trip to Wichita, Mrs.
Smith said: All along the line people
would stare at US as though we were
freaks. can remember when I have ex-
hfbited the same curiosity toward other
people, never dreaming that I myself
would be similar object some dav. A
carload Of US came from Galveston,
most going to Oklahoma points as we
were furnished transportation TO Purcell.
J. 7. I was told when we started that
when we got to Purcell we would have
transportation arranged to Wichita. but
such was not the case. The conductor
went through the train and in few mo-
ments said he had enough to carry US to
Wichita
We did not know what sympathy was
continued. People have no idea how
things are IN Galveston. All we got to
eat for time was the stuff that came
from the wholesale houses, and I do not
know Of anyone who got any clothes
There is absolutely no sympathy mani
Tested anywhere, probably because of so
much death and destruction. But as
soon as we left Galveston II was so much
different. Everyone seems to have sym
pathy for the poor unfortunates, and
we were so unused to sympathy that we
hardly knew how TO take it."
Regarding the condition in Galveston
Mr.. Garnett said that no pen could give
an idea Of the horrors. 1.-The nearest I
have seen Of anything that would con-
vey the most intelligence" he said, was
the statement Of a Galveston man, who
said that before he would witness such
scenes again he would drive dagger
to his heart. There is not a dwelling
house in Galveston that IS not injured
at least I saw none. Wreck and ruin
are on all sides. The sights that are
presented at every hand are almost more
than human nature can stand. People
seem in a sort of a trance and appear
unable TO realize the awful happenings
that have taken place. l could not real
lie it until I got away from it. You
can say anything you want to; il would
be impossible for you to exaggerate the
horrors. Through the daytime it seems
that you are in a sort of a daze: at
night the real horror begins. There are
no lights over the city. Everything is in
darkness. There is a stiffness in the air.
which is broken only by the firing Of
gun occasionally by one of the tin SOL
diers as they are called there. We re-
gard them as soldiers who have never
before handled a gun In an official ca
pacity and are very anxious to show
their authority. These shots nearly drive
women into Mysteries. The darkness and
stiffness are awful when mingled With
the horrifying stencil Of decaying bodies
ard other elements Incident to the ca
lamity People ara simply dazed, and
are unable to realize what has hap
pened."
Mr.. Garrett said that more lives would
nave been saved had people realized the
danger sooner than they did They had
ample time to get away, and in many
eases waited until too late and there
was not the assistance at hand when
needed. Mrs Smith said that the death
rate among the colored people in proper
ton TO white was much less because the
negroes were bully scared. and when
the water began to creep around their
homes. they started for places Of safety.
Many Of the incidents told Of escapes
and fatalities. anyone Of which would be
deemed Of great import and interest were
it not for the fact that there were SO
many. and still greater stories of death
and suffering. that the listener fails to
grasp the horror Mr.. Garnett had a
boat and was engaged in taking people
from endangered buildings 10 places Of
safety until exposure TO the rain and
seawater gave him cramps 10 such an
extent that he was unable 10 continue
the work. After a rest the cramps left
him. and he was again able to resume
his labors
He tells Of many Incidents many of
them pathetic. and all Of them thrilling.
where he was barely able TO get people
away from their homes before the bulls
ing collapsed, and seain when he would
he trying TO render assistance and
house would collapse and the occupants
drown before he would Be able 10 reach
It. Such sights were numerous. There
vas an army e-saged in the work o.
rescue but untold hundreds and th5us-
ands persisted because they were unable
70 reach places % safety.
The escape Of the Smith family and
Mr.. Garrett was almost miraculous.
When the water became so high as to
endanger their home they went 70 a
school house which was built well N
from the surface Of the ground ard was
considered one OF the safest places IN
the vicinity. The building WAS crowded.
The wind was blowing hurricane ard
as the water raised the foundation began
giving away. First one room and then
another collapsed. each room filed wi1h
humanity Finally but one large room
was left standing. and II was in this
rom that the Smiths and Mr.. Garrett
were staying. The men tore up the
seats and hoard partitions and put them
IN TIE window openings 10 keep the