Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-12
STRICKEN KEY WEST
UNDER MARTIAL LAW
Vicious VandaIs Shot in
Streets; Homeless Fed by
Hundreds.
DEATH TOLL VERY HEAVY;
PROPERTY LOSS GREAT
No Estimate of Victims Possible
From Meager Reports.
ALL DANGER NOW AT AN END
Terrific Tempest Sweeps Out to Sea.
LAST Reports From Havana In
dicate Enormous Losses
in Property.

KEY WEST. Fla, October 12-With the
ties, who were called on by the mayor for
assistance, efforts are being concentrated
today ascertaining the damage wrought
by the hurricane which swept the gulf
property in the city and harbor will reach
s2.O00OOO.
No loss of life has been reported in the
city, but it is thought the death toll Will
be heavy along the eastern coast OF the
peninsula. Many of the vessels which
had been swept from their moorings dur
ing the blow Yesterday afternoon managed
to ride out the storm during the night and
limped back to their piers this morning
but between sixty and seventy-five boats
of all descriptions were wrecked. 1t is
feared a number of lives were lost on
these vessels.
City Scene of Ruin.
In the city whole blocks of frame Struc-
lures were razed. brick houses also fell
DGlOTe Tie SdIc, "lfilS lLe great lODdCCO
factories and warehouses suffered con-
siderable damage. 1t will probably be
several weeks before they will be able
to resume operations.
The city jail is filled to overflowing with
vandals. captured by the militia and po-
lice during the night Thieves began
operations as soon as the fury of the
storm had abated. the wrecking of the
city into darkness. The mayor immediate
ly took stringent measures to cope with
the situation and proclaimed martial law.
The Key West Guards were called out
and patrolled the streets during the night.
The United States government also has
been called on for assistance in the
storm-swept territory.
Homeless Hundreds Fed.
Hundreds are homeless today and are
being cared for in churches. schools and
other roomy structures which escaped the
fury of the storm. Rations are being dis
tiibuted by the city authorities and il is
expected help will arrive during the day
from the state and federal authorities.
Flagler Road Damaged.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. October 1o-
The storm which devastated the south
eastern portion OF the peninsula Of Flor
ida last night has swept out into the At
lantic ocean today. according to the local
weather bureau. and it is headed i'm a
northeasterly direction.
Reports here indicate little damage ex-
cept ~ property on the east coast On
the Flag:er railroad known as the Florida
East Coast Line, the storm had been an
ticpated. and. according to officials here,
the men had been Withdrawn from the
more dangerous points From Miami come
reports of great property loss, with pos
sible damage to shipping.
Wild Reports Discredited.
NEW ORLEANS. October 12.-Beyond
the Associated Press dispatches nothing
authentic has been received in New Or
leans in the way OF news from the hurri-
cane-swept section of Florida. Inquiry
at all wireless stations in New Orleans
today invariably brought reply that no
communication had been established with
any wireless station in Florida. Sensa-
tional reports emanating from New Or
leans today telling of the loss of 500 lives
along the coast of Florida are discred-
fol locally