Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-19
STORM 0BUTERATES
TEXAS CITY CAMP
Three Coast Guard Stations
Gone and Most of En-
pIoyes Drowned.
SUPPLIES ARE RUSHED
TO STRICKEN PEOPLE
u. S. Official at Galveston and Army
Officers Wire of Destruction
Along the Coast.

Officers Wire of Destruction
Along the Coast.
| Galveston has been swept by a hur-
ricane equal in intensity to the famous
catastrophe of 1900. which has left
many deaths and very serious destruc-
ton in it's wake, sweeping away coast
life-saving stations and wrecking the
federal and post Office buildings. ac-
cording to official reports to govern
ment departments today.
| six reported dead. other than those
| on dredges and tow boats" and $4,000
| damage to the post Office are salient
points in the report of A. J. Rosenthal,
| deputy collector of customs and super
| intendent of the coast guard.
| The Galveston, San Luis and VeIasco
coast guard stations are gone. with
heavy losses Of life.
More than 500 refugees were cared
for in the customhouse. where condi-
lions were aggravated by the fact that
number of negroes brought in liquor,
were unruly and caused much trouble
| before they could be subdued.
Await Reports.
War Department officials today await
ed with considerable anxiety full de-
tails concerning the destruction Of the
United States Army camp at Texas City
and the loss Of life among the soldiers
and civilians there by the great gulf
storm.
No additional reports on the situation
In Galveston and Texas City reached
the War Department today. Maj. Gen.
Bell at Texas City were advised that
supplies would be rushed through as
soon as word was received here as to
what was needed.
The cavalry at Texas City rode
twenty miles to find safety for men and
horses.
Postmaster General Burleson today
directed the postmaster at Houston.
tifcates drawn at the Galveston post
office. This action was taken to re-
lieve the plight Of refugees from CAL
weston who fed In large numbers to
Houston.
Mr.. Rosenthal stated his belief that
train service would be restored by to-
morrow. but officials were doubtful
that this could be accomplished.
Only Three Saved.
Only three members Of the crews of
the coast guard stations at San Luis
and Velasco were rescued. according to
a report to the Treasury Department
from the superintendent of the ninth
coast guard district. He also reported
that the coast guard station at Calves
ton was washed away. but without loss
of life. The station crew. in the life
boat. is at work salvaging lives and
property along the water front. The
body of one dead life guard has been
recovered The ofhcial report was as
Galveston coast guard station wash
ed away. Crew safe. Lifeboat now
operating. Crew temporarily Quartered
sufo1d San Luis and
Of the crews Of these two stations
known. Body of one recovered. Have
team in search on the island endeavor-
ing recover others"
fective in protecting much property. ac-
cording to the report from Deputy Col
lector Rosenthal. Besides the damage
to the federal building and post ONCE,
houses were destroyed, the approaches
to the causeway were wrecked and
train service interrupted. Rosenthars
report was as follows:
Customs Ohlcial Saved.
Galveston experienced hurricane
equal to 1900. Sea wall proved SPLEEN
did protection and adequate to emer-
gency. Only six reported dead except
on dredges and towboats. Particulars
not known. Approaches to causeway
destroyed. Train service expected by
Friday. Destruction of residences. sea-
side hotels and lighthouses on south
east end Of city.
Serious damage to federal building
consists of injury to roof, water in
basement, destruction Of elevator hoist
In MOI ~ a a 20
lower Office and wareroom Of new ap-
praisers store. Also considerable dam
age to old post Office building, where
| much merchandise Is warehoused. I'm
"Customhouse afforded shelter to
| more than 500 refugees, of whom
took care with the assistance Of three
clerks, and three of janitor's force po-
Il conhscated and destroyed large
quantity of liquor brought into build
| ing by unruly negroes and elected
them from building. Authority re-
glazing and repairs to glass Enclosures
Damage to post office building esti-
mated at 100000 and probably as
much more to other federal buildings.
1 have matters we'll in hand and will
take proper care of public property.
VIII report details when ascertained."
MAJ. Ten. 6elIe report.
| First reports from Maj. Gen. Bell.
commanding the 5000 mon Of the Cd
Division stationed at Texas City. said
that all the homes Of tho ofncers and
enlisted men there had been wiped
away, with a loss of ten soldiers and q
number Of civilians. He said the wom-
| en- and children had been provided with
temporary shelter and added that nor
NAL conditions were being restored.
The War Department had not acted
a transport be sent to the gulf with
supplies for the use Of the army and
| civilians.
Upon receipt Of Gen. Bells dispatch
Acting Secretary Of War Breckenridge
Immediately wired a reply expressing
the departments deep sympathy for
the loss Of life. adding that everything
possible would be done to relieve the
situation when SPECIFIC recommends
! 4 G>oex