The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-09-18
THE ESTIMATED LOSS OF LIFE
Now Much Greater Than at First
From 5000 to 5000 Lives Lost The
Property Loss Beyond Estimation.
Citizen Clamoring for Transporta-
tion from the City-Badly In Need of
Disinfectants The Railroads Not to
Abandon City as a Seaport Terminal.

After the fullest possible inyestiga-
tion here we feel justified in saying
to you and through you to the Ameri-
can people that no similar disaster has
overtaken any community or section
in the history of our country. The loss
Of life is appalling and never can be
accurately determined. 1t is esti-
mated at 5000 to 5000 people. There
is not a home in Galveston that has
not been injured while thousands have
been destroyed. The property loss
represents accumulations Of sixty years
and more millions than can be safe
ly stated. Under these conditions with
10000 people homeless and destitute,
with the entire population under a
stress and strain difficult to realize,
we appeal directly, in the hour of our
great emergency, to the sympathy and
aid of mankind.
WALTER JONES,
Mayor.
.'R B. HAWLEY,
Member of Congress
Galveston District.
''McKIBBIN,
Commander
"CDepartment of Texas
The information reaching here from
an official source states that promis-
cuous shooting of vandals by troops at
Galveston has been exaggerated.
A BRITISHER'S CONTRIBUTION.
Washington, September ia pri-
vate dispatch received here states that
Robert p. Houston, a member of the
English parliament from Liverpool,
| has contributed $4,000 to the Galveston
relief fund.
| Washington, September 15.-With a
view to the restoration of the fortifica-
| such thing is possible, General Wilson,
chief of engineers, this morning orga-
nized board of engineer officers
consisting of Colonel Henry M. Rob-
| ert. stationed at New York; Major
Henry NJ. Adams, stationed at New
| Orleans; Captain Charles S. Rich, sta
toned at Galveston, and Captain Ed
| gar Jadwin, stationed at New York
| to meet at Galveston at the call Of the
senior officer, about October 20th. The
| board is instructed to make careful
and critical examination of the jetties
and fortifica tons of Galveston and to
report to the chief of engineers what
| action is necessary for the repair and
the restoration >>of the Notifications
| and harbor works.
Acting Secretary Meiklejohn has re-
| ceived a telegram from Mavor Jones,
| of Galveston, saying: 'The people of
! the city of Galveston desire to return
| 10 YOU lIelT heartfelt llldlhS lOI SCuI
assistance in their hour of trouble and
| affliction'.
| He also received a dispatch from
| Representative r. B. HaWley, thanking
him for the sympathy expressed and
aid furnished by the war department.
After describing conditions Mr.. Haw-
| ley says: THE destruction is so great
We have been compelled to make our
conditions known and ask for the
| sympathy and aid of mankind. If you
| deem eXpedient no greater service
could be done than to use such agencies
as you may have for universal infor-
nation concerning our unhappy fate"
| DISINFECTANTS BADLY NEEDED
A dispatch was received from Cen
eral McKibbin stating that there are
| plenty Of doctors in Galveston, but
| disinfectants are badly needed.
THE EXODUS FROM GALVESTON.
| Galveston. Texas, September ID
The exodus from Galveston grows in
| numbers as the facilities for gettinS
away from the stricken city are in
| creased. Boats left here today mere
| frequently than on any day since the
| storm, some proceeding !ir-ct 10
Hous ton via Buffalo bayou and
others making connection at Texas
City WITH the Great Northern rail
road train. Among those who depart
ed today were General McKibben and
| Lieutenants Ferguson and Perry, " no
| We're sent hither by the United States
government when the news of the nor
ror was given TO the world. General
McKibben will communicate with VA
department on his arrival in Houston
and thence proceed TO San Antonio q
transact official 5usines which is re-
quiring his attention.
Before leaving he twas solicited by
The authorities to return, and expects
to do so within the next four or five
days.
The news which was printed hers
this morning in the shape of a per
sonal telegram from Vice Presiden
Huntington, OF the Southern Pacific
that that road is not 20 abandon Gal
weston, has c-eated intense sauSfac
tion and has ma -erially accelerated
the movelner, to- the speedy recon
struc1ion OF the city. Mr.. Hunting
,on 5 telegram was to A. II. Belo, o.
the Galveston and Dallas News anC
! read:
IT see II reported that we are Il
abandon our work at Galveston
!: Nothing is further from our thoughts
We expect to resume work there a.
soon as we can. You can assure th'
people to that effect"
. DR.. w. II. Blount, state health Off
! Ger, today printed statement show
! ing that no apprehensions are justihe'
that sickness will result from tn
overflow just experienced. He show
J that in 1867 in the midst Of the wide
J spread epidemic of yellow fever,
severe storm occurred at Galveston
in the early days of October, result
ing in a deposit over a greater portion
Of the city Of Shiny mud. Not onl
did no sickness result, but the cycloni
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