Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-17

commission, and the big aerial
masts at Fort Crockett here are
down.
Fate Unknown for Hours.
DALLAS, Tex. August 17.-With the
cities and towns of southeast Texas
isolated from the rest of the world and
one of the worst tropical hurricanes of
a decade wearing itself out over the
coastal prairies. the fate of Galveston
was for hours unknown until wireless
bulletin announced it's safety.
Galveston. Houston and Beaumont
still are cut off from all wire COM
munication. telegraph and telephone
companies stated the principal wire
damage had been done in the vicinity
of Houston, according to the best re-
ports obtainable.
Reports From Galveston.
Reports from Galveston last night in
Dictated that the velocity of the wind
there had increased from thirty-fo four
miles an hour in the forenoon to be-
tween sixty-five and seventy miles late
in the afternoon, and that occasional
gusts even attained ninety miles. 1t
was stated water was running two to
three feet in streets on the bay front,
but that the damage had been COM
paratively small and no deaths had
been reported. 1t was also stated that
the storm appeared to be decreasing in
intensity.
About 5000 persons are estimated to
have left Galveston for Houston and
other interior points during the last
storm The life-saving crew at Cal
weston. 1t was said in the last message
from that city. while held in readiness,
had not been called upon for it's serv-
M orfo for
use.
The interruption with Beaumont and
Houston was said by telegraph and
telephone officials to have been caused
severe as to cause apprehension for
the safety of citizens in those localities
Flee From Their Homes.
Hundreds of residents of Port Ar
ansas Sabine, Sabine Pass, Port O'Con-
nor and other small coast cities were
reported also to have left their homes
and hurried to places away from the
gulf coast. but there have been no re-
any OF these places. Port Arthur re-
ported last night that the storm had
attained only forty-five miles an hour
at that place, while it was stated to
have reached sixty-five miles at Sa-
bine. Sabine Pass was cut off from
communication with the outside at the
same time that wires failed to Beau
mont and conditions there are uncer-
tain, but 1t was reported during the
night that half of the population of
about 1000 in the two places had left
Numerous lighthouses and small
buildings blown down at these small
cities and towns however, was the ex-
tent of the damage. according to last
reports. Not single loss of life had
been reported early today.
Victoria yesterday reported the de-
struction of a few small houses and
nothing further was heard from there
during the night.
The greatest damage is that to crops
and farmhouses along the coastal
plains where the storm ragged. The
United States weather service has Civ
en- the people of wide section along
the coast ample warning and it is be-
taken advantage of the warning.
Ship Blown Through Causeway.
TEMPLE, Tex. August lit was
said at the offices of the Santa Fe rail-
road here early today that a message
had been received from Galveston last
night stating that a large vessel was
blown through the causeway connect
ing Galveston with the mainland. Two
work trains were ordered to Galveston
to assist in repairing the damage
After losing their wires to Galveston
last night the Santa Fe officers here
retained communica ton with Alvin,
midway between Houston and CAL
weston, for some time. finally losing 1t
when the telegrapher at Alvin stated
that the water was rising and that he
would be compelled to leave. Before
going, however, he stated that the
water in that vicinity ranged from
three to ten feet in depth.
Fear for Grand Island Campers.
NEW ORLEANS, August 17-Fears
for the safety of residents of a fish
ing settlement and campers from this
city who are supposed to be on Grand
Island, about eighty miles northwest
of Port Eads and the same distance
south of here, across Barataria bay,
were expressed in several quarters
after an announcement by the local
Office of the weather bureau that the
island had been reported under six feet
of water The island is about ten miles
long and little more than a mile wide
at its widest point. The highest eleva-
| ton is only eight feet above normal
boats were in the vicinity when the
tropical hurricane struck there Sunday
and that the people Were not warned of
| the approaching disturbance. The
nearest point where wire communica-
ton is available is nearly forty miles
away, and although efforts were made
to send vessels to warn the inha bit
ants. the boats were compelled to put
back because of the rough sea.
Grand Island is one of a number of
low keys separating Barataria bay
from the gulf, and it is supposed here
| that the inhabitants on the approach
of the storm took refuge on higher
ground on nearby islands.
Flee to Mainland.
CnppIYS CupJSTT ro .,n.t 4,
A large part of the population of Port
Arkansas, an island town twenty three
| miles from here, left in boats for the
| mainland. fearing the tropical storm
| would cause the island to be flooded.
Some anxiety is felt for the yacht