The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-09-17

| latalltleS. In the city proper the death
list was placed by some officials at be-
tween Is and 20, but that was regard.
by many as far too conservative one
report in circulation today, but as far
as known unconfirmed, was that l25
bodies, most of them identified as resi-
dents of Corpus Christi, had been taken
from a reef near Portland in Neuces
Bay, upon which Corpus Christi Is sit
ulted.
More than 5000 persons We're made
homeless by the storm, and the prob.
lem Of taking care of them was one Of
ficials faced when they began the day
However, with the coming of relief
trains, it was expected that by night
most Of those made destitute by the
storm could be taken care of.
Considerable anxiety was expressed
regarding the fate of the launch Waldo,
with Is persons on board, which left
Corpus Christi Saturday afternoon on
fishing excursion. Since the storm no
word has been received from the party,
which included four women.
Fears also are entertained that a
heavy casualty list will be reported from
surrounding towns, several of which
were directly in the path Of the storm
Army Sends Relief Train
The dispatch of relief trains followed
energetic action taken last night by
Gov. William p. Hobby and Gen. 10.
seph Y. Dickman, commander of the
southern department of the United
t..t. . q a..
ernor, General Dickman Immediately
dispatched train with food, medical sup
plies and blankets. In the meantime
the governor issued proclamation call
ing upon all Of the citizens of the state
to lend assistance to the storm suffer
ers. Indications early today We're that
the governors appeal was meeting with
L generous response.
Some relief was afforded the homeless
shortly after midnight, when the first
train to reach the city in almost so
hours arrived with foodstuffs and other
supplies from Kingsvile and Robstown.
Although both Of the latter places We're
damaged by the storm to some extent,
word of the more serious plight of Cor
places to forget their own troubles and
lend assistance.
That the death list in connection with
the storm was not huge was due to the
fact, officials believe, that most persons
were given ample warning of its com.
ing.
Wall of Water 10 Feet High
The storm struck early Sunday morn
ing and was accompanied by a tidal
wave that sent Il wall of water 10 feet
high sweeping into the business dis |
trict of the city. When teh tidal wave
was at its height, virtually every sec
ond floor downtown was under water.
BY the time the worst Of the wind had |
passed United States soldiers stationed |
here had taken charge of the situation |
and continued ceaselessly at work until
all danger was over.
All day Sunday soldiers wearing |
trench helmets could be seen Drawing |
the heavy gale while doing rescue work
Military rule was invoked late yester
day and no one was allowed to enter
the wrecked portions of the city All |
foodstuffs that had escaped damage by
water were sold under direction of city |
officials, one days rations being allow
ed to the customer.
The city was In darkness last night
and large portion was without water
and sewage facilities. Railroad lines
are reported to have been badly dam
aged and only few lines will be usa-
bic for days to come.
Absence Of authentic reports from
Aransas Pass, Port Aransas and Rock
port today caused some uneasincss.
Boats will be run to Portland late today,
it was announced in an effort to deter
mine the extent Of the damage to the
Causeway. railroad line and telephone
equipment which pass over the reef.
Soldiers DO Brave Deeds
Many stories were being detailed to-
day of the bravery of the soldiers who
included members of Company I, 37th
infantry. Citizens by the score also were
given their need of praise for daring
acts performed in saving lives. Mem
bers Of Company | took up the rescue
work shortly after their camp was de-
molished and today still were lending
valuable assistance in taking off ma
rooned residents Of North Beach.
Hundreds of civilians were to be seen
yesterday wading in water along Chap.
parral and Mesquite streets. assisting
refugees to leave houses and hotels in
those localities.
one of the most disagreeble features
in connection wit hthe storm was that
the water which poured upon the city
became coated with crude oil from
wrecked oil barrels, tanks and storage
basins along the bay front. Women and
chiren suffered especially when the oil
filled their eyes and noses. Many per.
sons taken from the water were black
from the greasy fluid.
a feature that appealed to many who
visited the storm area today was that
although thousands of dollars worth
Of merchandise were strewn about the
business district. few or no attempts at
looting We're to be seen. only two or
three arrests on looting charges have
been made. according to officials.
As soon as the waters began receding,
storekeepers appeared and started clear.
ing away wreckage from their places.
Most Of them reported, however, that
little Of their merchandise could be sal.
vaged.
Wreckage Piled High
Volunteers this morning began the
work Of clearing the streets of wreck.