The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1915-08-19
BIG STORM PASSES;
GALVESTON FLOODED
Number of Lives Lost in Texas
Is Unknown.
OTHER CITIES ARE DAMAGED
Army Transport Buford Blown Mile
Inland-Hundreds Of Houses De-
stroyed-FiVe Feet Of Water
In Buildings.

San Antonio, Tex. Aug. 1S.-The
following wireless telegram was re-
ceiyed at the Fort Sam Houston wire
less station from the army transport
Buford in Galveston harbor:
Water in buildings about three
feet. All buildings and structures OF
every nature along the water front
are ruined. Many boats have been
greatly damaged and others destroyed.
The army transport Mcclellan is
high and dry half mile inland. The
number of lives lost is unknown.
There has been great pecuniary dam
age"
This message indicates the water
has receded two feet in about three
hours, as a message received about
tat time stated that the water
stood five feet in many streets and
buildings. The water ia now subsid-
ing
Funston Reports Damage.
Washington, Aug. 1S.-In message
Major General Funston, from Fort
San Houston, Tex, reported condi-
lions at Galveston to the war depart
meat as follows
"Buford radio reports that the trans
port Mcclellan broke loose from her
moorings and drifted half mile. She
Is now anchored at the dock badly
damaged. The commercial radio sta
tins are out of commission, the
acvtals all blown down. All houses
ion tie sea wall have been destroyed.
IBc1ts are on the main streets taking
people from buildings. Five feet OF
water at the depot"
other Cities Damaged.
Dallas, Tex, Aug. 1.-two brief
wireless messages received at Fort
Sam IIouston's station from the army
station at Galveston comprised the
total Of communication with the Is
land city, which for "a hours has sut-
fered from a tropical hurricane Of in
tense strength.
That the streets are covered with
water, and that the houses along the
sea wall have been destroyed, COM
prise a summary of the news con-
tnined in the messages.
That the storm has passed entire
ly over the Galveston territory and
has done all its damage is indicated
from barometric readings in cities far
inland and in the strength OF the gale
at these points.
At Waco, which is 200 miles north
west Of Galveston, the barometer was
falling and the wind blowing a gale
with unabating force. This indicates
that the storm center Is approaching
this part of the state and this conjec
ture is borne out by circumstances in
other cities, chiefly Taylor 'and Tenn
pie.
Houses Are Blown Down.
At Temple several houses were IN
rooted and trees we're uprooted. At
Taylor the telephone exchange build
ing was uncapped and the service for
the time put out Of commission.
Both these towns are In a general
path leading from Waco TO Galveston
and are among the towns farthest
south to receive wire communication
from the outside world.
Other towns south OF Temple and
TAYLOR probably have suffered the
same character OF minor storm dam
age, but it will take several days to
rehabilitate the Frustrated wire serv.
ice in this large territory, and the
probabilities for definite information as
to many OF them are remote.
Nc point in Texas has reported a
death In connection with the storm,
which began its march across the
state at Galveston.
Damage to Shipping.
Pittsburgh, Pa, Aug. 1s.-Reports
received at the general Offices OF the
Gulf Refining company here indicated
that its shipping in the Gulf OF Mex
ico was being badly battered by the
hurricane. One telegram, sent by
wireless by Captain Johnson from his
ship. the Gulf Oil, 500 miles east Of
Sabine, Tex, said he had been com
PEELED to jettison part OF the cargo of
the barge Shenango he was towing
from Sabine to Bayonne, N. j., to keep
her from sinking. 1t was thought pos
sible here that Captain johnson had
cut the Shenango loose In the hope
OF picking her up after the storm sub
sided