The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 73, July 1969 - April, 1970 Page: 60
605 p. : ill. (some col.), maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Southwestern Historical Quarterly
spent several hours in the night on a log and by a miracle was given
refuge in a home in the West end [of the city]." We have lost every-
thing, though our house still stands without roof or windows. All
the plaster has fallen, the floors are ruined; and so it is with everyone
whose house remains. The Wilkens had water downstairs, as did
Jane and the Runges," and here at home it came as high as the gallery
before receding. Thousands of people were drowned and the un-
fortunate souls were taken out into the Gulf by ship for burial at sea."7
Margaret had only damage from rain. Heinrich walked home that
afternoon and very nearly lost his life. John did not come at all and
you can imagine my fears the whole night long.18 After the [height
of the] storm he made his way to Preston's Store in water up to his
neck. Since that time he sleeps by day and at night, and heavily
armed, he guards our store against the large band of thieves looting
the town." We are under martial law and the few soldiers who were
not drowned are simply shooting down all idlers; last night they shot
seventeen.
In the West end and on the other side of Broadway not a house
remains standing.20 The whole Harris," Masterson,"" Davenport,"
Ripley,2' and Compton25 families were drowned, as well as hundreds
15Reference is to Forrest Runge, eldest son of Louis H. and Anita, who related later
that it was a marble slab and not a log that he had floated on. He also said he pushed
a man off the slab in order to remain afloat. Louis H. Runge, Jr., to W.M.D., intcr-
view, May 13, 1968.
"'The Runge home was located next door to the Wilkens at i2o2 Market Street in
Galveston's east end. Morrison and Fourmy's General Directory of Galveston, 1899-19oo,
p. 196.
"4Many of the dead were taken to sea for burial. Some, improperly weighted, washed
ashore and were later burned. Weems, A Weekend in September. 145-
IsHeinrich Mosle was Margaret's husband. Morrison and Fourmy's General Directory
of Galveston, 1899-zgoo, p. 163; Family Records. John returned later that day. Mrs.
E. Maury Robertson to W.M.D., interview, March 2o, i960.
"Reports "of looting were exaggerated, but there was some of this." Weems, A
Weekend in September, 171.
2oMuch of the total destruction was confined to this area. In all, 300 feet of shoreline
was lost to the Gulf of Mexico. Ibid., 153.
21John Harris, prominent Galveston attorney, lost his wife and three children when
the house in which they sought shelter was destroyed. Ousley, Galveston in 1900oo, p. 296.
22Branch T. Masterson, Galveston attorney, lost his wife in the same house. Ibid., 299;
Morrison and Fourmy's General Directory of Galveston, 1899-zgoo, p. 147.
"2Wharton Davenport was a clerk for Levy & Co. and resided near Thirty-ninth and
Avenue R in the western part of the city. It was in this house the Harrises and Mrs.
Masterson were killed. Ousley, Galveston in zgoo, p. 294; Mrs. E. Maury Robertson to
W.M.D., interview, June 4, 1962.
24Henry C. Ripley was a consulting engineer. Morrison and Fourmy's Gene> al Directory
of Galveston, 18999-goo, p. 9go.
*2Cecil H. Compton was ticket agent for the Galveston, Houston and San Antonio
Railroad. Ibid., 50.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 73, July 1969 - April, 1970, periodical, 1970; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117147/m1/76/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.