Daily Kennebec journal., 1901-05-06
10000 HOMELESS
Living from Hand to Month
at Jacksonville.
Relief Trains Bring Provisions State
Sends Carloads of Tents.
Martial Law in Force -Rumors Of Heavy Le.
OF Life Curren'.

jacksonville. Fla, May 5.-The hun
ger of 10000 homeless people was sat
| isfied. today. upon the arrival Of relief
trains and boats bringing provisions
from neighboring trains. Early this
morning. a cOmmissary was establish
ed in the center of the city and thou
sands were fed during the day. The
relief fund is growing hourly and every
mail brings offers of assistance.
Today, an order was promulgated
under martial law. requiring all mer-
chants whose stores were spared by the
c"nfi1Sration to open their doors and
sell to all who asked. The streets have
been crowded all day with shoppers
who lost all in the fire. and many
stores will remain open all night.
1t is estimated that 5000 persons have
left the city and every outgoing train
j. crowded with refugees. Five carloads
of tents were received. today. the prop
erty of the state, which are to be used
temporarily by the homeless. Another
shipment Of tents is expected from the
government to arrive. tomorrow.
Tomorrow the Times Union and Citi-
zen will estimate the total property
loss at Sll 0o0.c00 The figures are based
upon an itemiZed statement furnished
by 4 volunteer committee
Rumore Of loss of life are on every
hand. tonight, and the river has been
closely watched, today. Many persons
have confirmed the report of loss of
life ct the Market street wharf Nu-
mcrouG advertisements appeared in the
local papers asking for aid in search
ing for persons who are missing. AS
many have left for the Gulf. ii is i'm
possible to ascertain who have been
lost in the Market street pier tragedy.
A committee of Atlantians was here,
today. to deliver $1,000 worth of provis-
ions. promising another car during the
week. Atlanta also furnished by ex-
press 1000 feet of hose
Martial law is being rigidiy enforc
ed and the town is quiet. tonight. al
| though much anxiety prevails because
Of threats said to have been made by
| the negroes that they would obtain
provisions by force at their first oppor-
tunity.
In the eastern portion Of the city the
debris is still burning, but no further
! outbreak of the flames is anticipated.
AS the Atlanta delegation left the
| city. tonight. Chief Joiner of that
ci.ys fire department. on behalf of At
lanta, gave 500 for the relief of the
members of the jacksonville depart
ment who suffered from the fire.
Many other contributions We're re
ceived by tonights mail. Mr. Flagler.
who gave $4,000. Saturday. offers to
duplicate his donation by another $4,000
should it be needed.
Tomorrow morning. the citizens COM
mittee will meet to further organize
the relief work. Every portion of the
city will be visited and food and pro-
vision offered wherever there is suffer-
ing. At meeting of the relief COM
mittae today a resolution was adopted
offering work to every unemployed per-
son in the city to be paid for at the
rate of 81 per day and rations. The
men will be put TO work clearing away
, the debris in the ruined district. 1t is
believed this plan will prove happy
solution of the race situation and will
prevent any anticipated trouble.
Grand Master James Campbell of the
Masonic Grand Lodge of Florida, to-
night. issued the following appeal to
the Masons of the United States:
city cf Jacksonville. Fla, who has not
lost his hCme. business or employment
and in many cases all three, by the
practical destruction of our city by
fire on May 3. The portion destroyed
comprises $40 squares in the heart Of
the business and most populOus sec
ton of the city, covering an area about
two miles long and three quarters of
mile wide.
Twenty thousand of our citizens are
homeless Among the victims are those
who would under other circumstances
be the first to contribute to relief of
the distressed. Being unable to help
ourselves we issue this appeal for as
sistarce to the Masonic fraternity of
the United States.
"All contributions should be address,
ed to w. p. Webster Grand Secretary,
Jacksonville, Fla"
The majority of the property owners
who suffered losses have announced
their intention of rebuilding as soon as
the debris can be removed.
caTnpnAv,C cTnRY