Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-10-12
TOday's Telegraphlc News
Many Killed by Storm.

New Orleans, La, Oct. 12.-Wireless
messages from Tampa, nearest point OF
communication from the hurricane sWep'
district Of Key West, today conveys the
intelligence that several hundred people
have lost their lives 10 the storm which
has swept the southeast coast.
There Is no great loss in Key West
proper. 1t was on the unprotected
islands on the outsk rts OF the city where
the gale drew Its heaviest death toll.
Along the coast, giant waves swept over
the islands, catching the inhabitants
aud hurliDg them into the sea. There
we're no high places affording haven OF
refuge.
The islands are practically fiat and
the twenty foot waves that bissed over
them swept them clean Of all life.
Key West proper is a mass OF wreck
sge. Ia this city of 10000 people,
| hardly house is lett unchanged.
Scores OF buildings have been demol-
ished beyond all repairs. The most
conservative estimate of pecunisry loss
| is So, 1000, 900. 1t is doubtful II 5000
will cover the life loss.
| While full warning ives given to the
| inhabitants along the Florida coast,
the West Indies and the Florida
keys, little, II anything, could be done
save to make fast the ships in the
harbors. When the first puff Of the
hurricane struck the city it was apparent
the storm would be one of almost unpre-
cedented severity. The wind gained a
velocity Of sixty miles an hour, then 80,
aud occasionally spurts OF 100 miles was
attained with awful loss OF life and
property.
Houses in exposed places collapsed
and pinned the victims beneath the
ruins. Terrible as the storm WAS its
worst phases were quickly over, and By
o'clock last night the situation, as far
az Key West was concerned, was we'll IN
hand. The Key West guards were
ordered out to patrol the city, martial
law was proclaimed and appeals made
both to state and federal government fol
TROOPS and aid. While reports are still
meagre from any 5ut the largest citieI
in the stricken district, enough news hal
been received from the keys, where
great amount Of railwsy construction Il
under way, to know that the loss OF lif'
there Is enormous. Bstween 200 ant
800 ren we're employed there In con
struction work, and 1t is believed thai
hundreds OF these have persisted.
While shipping in the southern hsr
bors wss generally taken care OF becauS'
Of the warning given by the westhe
bureau of the approaching storm, it I
feared that many steamers we're csugh
10 the open sea aud heavy loss OF lif
aud ships Is also feared. At Tsup
great concern is felt for the sleame
Lsmpsass, Of The Mallory line, and th'
. Pacific and Oriental steamer Olivette
! Both of these should have reached por
Monday, but until late last night moth
, ing had been heard or seen OF them, ant
all efforts to communicate by wireless
. proved futile.
Other steamers 10 the New York
, New Orleans trade are also, 1t is feared
victims of the gale. Among these Il
the Menus, with large list OF tourist
: on board, which sailed from New Yorl
Saturday.
The Antilles, which Was on its wa,
, from ST.. Louis to New York, mas Oh
4 board Governor Sanders OF Louisans
and the greatest fears are being enter
tanned for his safety.
; New York, Oct. 12.-The MALLORY
steamship Company today received sd
vices from Key West to the effect tha
| a terrific storm had visited this section
: of Florida, bat that the company's ship
Q we're all safe. The message said Their
? would be great loss of life and destrnC
, ton OF property.