The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-19

ward" said the representative of the
Associated Press. Many of the iron
light poles were forced from their con-
crete bases and blown for blocks"
Storm Warning Needed.
The United States weather bureau
had heralded the storm for two days
in advance and for this reason the
city was not taken unprepared. By
repeated warnings, every man, woman
and child had ample time to seek
places of sofcty. Fires began to ap-
pear at the height of the storm. At
s O'Clock Monday night a fire alarm
was sounded from the o. K. laundry
A sixty-two mile an hour gale was
blowing when the fire department. re-
sponded to the call. The frightened
horses refused to pull the equipment
after going a few blocks and the fire.
men carried the hose half a mile on
their shoulders to the blazing build
ing. On their arrival they found the
water supply cut off and they stood
by while the fire burned itself out.
An hour later a fire alarm was
turned in from the Direct Navigation
company's office on the wharf front.
The wind by this time was blowing II
miles an hour across the fire toward
the business section. Panics were
prevalent among the thousands who
had taken refuge in the business sec
ton, but the blaze, like the former
one, burned itself out, and the city was
again pItBlSSNl III deAI hllSSSs
Guns Warn of Fires.
Early Wednesday morning, resi-
dents Wee startled into wakefulness
by the soldiers firing their guns. Their
purpose was to warn of renewed fires.
At 1920 o'clock when the Associated
Press man left the city, fires were be-
ing confined to the Pabst Realty COM
bany building on Mechanic street, be-
tween fremont and Twenty-Fourth
streets; the j. S. Shiesmeir building,
four stories high; the Blum Notion
company, three stories high; Reid &
Murdock's building, all near the
wharf; and to the Swift and Armour
packing plants. across the alley.
The largest losses were to the two
packing plants, which was estimated
at $4,000 each; the Blum Notion
company, $4,000; J. S. Shiesmeir
company $4,000; Pabst Realty COM
pany, $4,000. and the Direct Naviga-
ton company. $4,000.
Steamers Torn From Mornings
Ten large steamers, it is estimated.
were torn from their mcorings and
were blown all over Galveston bay.
Seven of them are aground, the
names of which were not learned. All
were left in water not more than four
or five feet deep and some were blown
from three to eight miles inland by
the force of the hurricane.
The statement from the citizens OF
Galveston, received in 4 telegram to
the Associated Press late last night,
was one of optimism in spite of the
ravages of the hurricane through
which the city had successfully
passed. to quote from the statement.
1.-The city, due to the adamantine
resistance of the seawall, has SuS-
tanned comparatively small loss in de-
struction of property and but six lives
lost have been thus for reported" the
telegram said.
Outside Aid Not Needed.
Earlier reports had stated that
Mayor Fisher had declined to issue a
call for outside aid, saying the city
was able to handle the situation and
all needy persons there would be cared
for.
The most pressing need of the city,
according to reports brought by refu-
gees, was drinking water. How an
adequate supply would be re-estab-
lished for the city was still unan-
swered early today. Measu for re-
lief are under way. 1t was expected
that officials, who hurried to the
storm swept area, would be making
reports to Austin today of the imme-
diate needs of the people in the coast
country.
Federal officials and municipal au-
thorities in various Wexas cities also
were busy with relief plans.
Between 400 and 500 women and
children from Texas City will be
taken to Houston as soon as arrange
ments for transportation can be
made.
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