St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-09-12
CITY is WRECKED.

ans ILLS Suuuen llOOQ most terrible
storm was raging, the wind blowing
about SO miles an hour. Many of the
dead have been uncovered; others are
still under the debris; others carried out
to sea.
1t is not possible to give, at this time,
a reliable report at to the number of
Heaths. From estimates made by reli-
able, persons who have just come from
Galveston, it is believed that not less
than 1900, possibly as many as 5000 peo-
pie, were destroyed. Of course, the
wounded are numerous. The damage to
property is most shocking.
A mass meeting was held yesterday
and liberal contributions were made for
the immediate relief of the destitute
Governor Sayers appealed to President
Mckinley for aid. This appeal was met
with prompt response from the presi-
dent, who stated that 10000 tents and
$4,000 rations have been ordered to Gal
weston. Governor Sayers also addressed
an appeal to each municipality in the
state, asking for prompt assistance in
caring for the sufferers.
kilograms of inquiry and sympathy
have been pouring in from every state in
the union, and in almost every instance
substantial relief has been offered.
The stricken city is in imminent danger
of water famine, and strenuous efforts
are making here to supply the suf-
ferers. Relief trains are being or
ganized and will leave here at an early
hour.
Reports from interior towns confirm
the heavy loss of life and destruction Of
property.
A special from Galveston by the tug
Brunswick to Houston says: The CEN
ter of the West Indian hurricane struck
here at o'clock Saturday morning. At
that hour the wind was in the north and
the waters of the bay were rising rapidly.
The gulf was also turbulent and the
water, forced in by the tropical storm,
rolled up the beach and gradually crept
inland. About p. m. the wind was ris-
ing rapidly, constantly veering and set
Ting towards the east and coming in fit
full jerks and puffs which loosened avn
ings, cornices and slate roofs and sent
the fragments flying into the air.
The waters of the bay continued ris-
ing and, creeping ashore, mingling with
the water from the clouds, filled the
| downtown streets and invaded stores.
| Despite the dangers of the flying mis-
siles, as the afternoon wore on men ven
tured out in the streets in hacks, wagons
| boats and on foot, some anxious to get
home to their families, some bent on err
rands of mercy and others animated by
no purpose save bravado.
Gaining in velocity, the wind changed
to northeast, then to the west and the
waters rose until they covered the city
The wind howed frightfully around the
buildings, tearing off cornices and rip
ping off roofs. The wooden paving
blocks rose from their places in the
streets and floated off.
At $50 o'clock the wind had shifted tC
the southeast. still increasing in velocity
At that hour the wind gauge on the ROOT
of the United States weather bureau
registered So miles an hour and then blew
away. Still the wind blew harder ant
harder and even the most fortunate
houses lost all or part of their cover
ings. The storm reached its height a
about $3.50 o'clock.
At 8 o'clock the wind began subsidinE
and the waves to recede. But the fury o
the storm had not been spent until wei
into the day AT O'clock the water hat
fallen until the streets We're inundated
no more than they would be by a big rain
Sunday morning broke clear and thu
sun shone brightly on a scene of wrecl
and ruin. The streets were piled will
debris in many places, several feet high
Buildings were shorn of roofs, cornices
chimneys and windows. Stocks OF good
were damaged by floods from below ant
by rain from above.
But it was the wind which wrough
the greatest havoc in every respect. TIL
damage from the waters of the bay wa
inconsequential when compared will
that from the wind. The eastern part o
the city received the full force of tn
storm and suffered most, although n
section escaped serious injury
Along the beach for about four block
back scarcely a residence was left. TIL
beach district was shorn of human habi
tation. Back of that houses and timber
piled up, crushing other buildings whic
Law in their path. Men and wome
walked through the Shiny mud tina
spread the streets, homeless, rushin
r around, frantic, hunting their relative.
Wire communication was opened a
Dallas with Beaumont and Orange yes
terday afternoon. 1t is reported tina
} several lives were lost in the localtie
} of Sabine Pass and Port Arthur, but tn
towns are reported to have suffered onl
J slightly.
Dead and wounded men, women an
children lay around awaiting the con
ing of the volunteer corps, organize
to remove the bodies to the improvise
morgues and hospitals. There was n
l thought of the property damage; thoS
} who has escaped with their families, 10:
ing all else, felt satisfied and thanke
their God.
D 1t S impossible at this time to eve
definite or reliable estimate as to tt
!, loss of life and property. 1t is know
; however, that the death lists will ri
into the hundreds with other hundred
injured, and the property loss will
several million dollars.
. A special from San Antonio, Tex, say
; At military headquarters, department