The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-05-07

wealthy yesterday, penniless today, sa.
on the curbing beside the beggar,
sharing alike the pitiless fate that be-
fell them both.
Tonight the sidewalks are thronged
with homeless people. The wharfs are
crowded with sleepers and every avail
BILE craft in the harbor has been made
into temporary hotel.
NOT A CHURCH LEFT.
Religious services will be held tomor-
row in the open air. Not a city church
remains standing. Fire Chief Haney
is improved tonight and it is thought
he will entirely recover
The children of DIR. H p. Dean, Re.
ported as burned or missing this morn
ing have been found alive. Dr. Deans
injuries are slight.
President Barnett, of the Ma
tional bank of Jacksonville is not seri-
ously hurt. There were many prostra-
tions from heat during the day.
THE CITY IN DARKNESS.
Jacksonville is in total darkness to-
night but for the red reflection burning
in the sky in the western portion OF the
city marking the vast fields of glow
ing embers that now and then are
famed into fame.
At o'clock the first trolly car was
operated since noon yesterday. Later
in the evening @semi-schedules were
maintained on the western end of Bay
street and on the Riverside lines.
At O'Clock additional state troops
reached the city to relieve the soldiers
who had been on duty for more than
twenty-four hours.
Crowds are 1eaving the city on out
going trains, yet the multitude of
homeless peopleron the streets does not
irIf nc
are picturesque and pitiful. About the
city are cordons of soldiers. and police
men have been a,laced, and at each.cor.
ner soldier stands. Amid the great
excitement the day passed and tonight
the city is very quiet and little disor-
der has been reported.
At a meeting of the citizens COM
mittee this afternoon a resolution was
adopted prohibiting the running of ex-
cursion trains into the city. Request
had been made by several places for
special trains to Jacksonville, but the
committee notified the railroads that if
the trains were run, the excursionistS
| would not be allowed to leave the
| trains.
The negroes, though hungry and ter
ror-stricken. have so far shown no dis
position to give trouble and at
o'clock the entire city is reported quiet.
The debris on the eastern end of
Bay street is burning briskly, but there
| Is no danger of the flames being spread
by sparks unless the wind should be-
come very high.
LOSS OF LIFE ON THE RIVER
A sail boat that was at the boat
yard was made use of by Alfred BAH,
a member of the Jacksonville Rifles,
who lives in Springfield, a suburb, at
Third and Main streets, Mr.. Ball says:
There certainly were many lives lost
at that point. The shrieks and cries
for help that came to my ears during
the first moments Of the four hours that
I was in the river were heartrendlne
and awful I was utterly helpless TO
aid. I am positive that at least nve
persons were drowned at that place.
st got in a sail boat at Gardner's 6
yard at S o'clock. There were about
fifteen persons aboard. two negroes
among the number. When we got into
the boat every avenue OF escape was
cut OF. We got a line to the steamer
Edith and she pulled US from the dock.
A moment later the lire parted TWO
bateaus were drifting alongside and
eight persons tried tdgget into them.
Tn the manic both boats capsized. saw
several go down and drown. Several
of those VINO got out Of the sail boat
were swept under the wharf at the
foot of Market street and L think al,
and for four hours held to the piling
when I was rescued I was badly
burned about the bead. felt body
float against my legs and tried 10 III
it to the surface. but failed.
Undoubtedly there were many lives
lost at the foot Of Market street.
Arthur GUNNER, Of the GUNNER Lun-
ber Company, told the following:
I'VE heard the shrieks and calls Tor
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