The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-22

were concerned, our situation was at all times safe, and more apprehension was felt for us outside than inside the city. The storm served to prove that this city with its landlocked river harbor Is one and for human beings
 MARTIN BEHRMAN, Mayor"
 While the establishment of eommunl- cation with isolated points along the gulf coast of Louisiana and Mississippi may add a few to the number of persons who lost their lives as result of yesterdays hurricane, the indications are tonight tkat the list of dead will not be swelled very materially. Besides the five men who lost their lives in New Orleans yes terday, but four deaths have been deh- nitely shown today These included two at Jackson, Miss, one at Gramercy La, and one at Plaquemlne. La.
 Unusual Rumors.
 The day was marked by unusual rumors which follow immediately after a severe storm on the gulf coast All kinds of re- ports became current in connection with the fate of 800 passengers in a gulf coast train on the Louisville and Nashville railroad. The train had last been heard from early Monday morning at Chef Mentur, a fishing camp about 20 miles away. Developments during the day proved the passengers had been marooned for day and a half on the small strip of land with practically nothing to eat and with the hurricane sweeping in waves which threatened to engulf them There were many women and children among the passengers
 The scene at Chef Menteur last night was pitiful one. No sign of relief was Tn sight and the passengers did not be- lleve that their friends in New Orleans were aware of their plight. A represen- tative of the Associated Press headed q party of male passengers who worked their way through the swamp and marsh to point where they were picked up in an exhausted condition by relief train which brought them to New Orleans. Their report of the destruction of the Louisville and Nashville tracks and the flooding of that section resulted in a re- lief party being sent by steamer by way of Lake Ponchartrain.
 Food was taken out on the relief steam CT, which tonight returned to New Dr. leans with those who had been marooned at Chef Mentur since yesterday.
 Damage Out of City.
 That considerab ble property damage and possibly some loss of life was caused at points west of New Orleans is be- lieved here. The hurricane headed in northwesterly direction from New Or leans. according to the local office of the United States weather bureau. The section is completely cut off from New Orleans tonight and 1t is impossible at this time to obtain any definite news from there.
 It is reported that nearly every planta- ton between New Orleans and Baton Rouge suffered damage from the storm. Many sugar houses were demolished in whole or in part. and the cane crop was seriously injured It Is believed that the damage to the cane crop will amount to a million or more dollars.
 A negro laborer was killed in the col lapse of a sugar house at Gramercy, La.
 Two hundred barges of coal, valued at about $500 000. were sunk in the Missis- sippi river here as a result of the hur- ricane. It is said that about 75 per cent of the coal can be recovered.
 News reached here tonight that 106 barges loaded with coal went down in the Mississippi river near Lobdell. La. last night as result of the hurricane sweep. The cargo was valued at $500,000
 It is possible that portion of it can be saved.