The Great Galveston Disaster, Containing a Full and Thrilling Account of the Most Appalling Calamity of Modern Times Page: 328

328 HAVOC MADE BY THE ANGRY STORM.
pied by the poorer classes. There have been till now some people
finding shelter in the wooden cisterns which the wind blew off
their foundations and left lying about the streets and parks.
Others are in houses without roofs and windows and still others in
buildings the walls of which are far from perpendicular.
The following detailed account of the experience of the Rev.
Judson S. Palmer and his family, formerly of Sharon, Penna., in the
disaster at Galveston, was received at the former place in a letter.
Mrs. Palmer and her son were drowned.
ROOF BLOWN AWAY.
About four o'clock Dr. Cline, who was in charge of the Weather
Bureau at Galveston, the letter stated, passed, and Rev. Palmer
asked him what they had better do. He advised them to stay
in the house, as he thought it was perfectly safe. The storm
increased and the water flowed into the yard. Mr. Palmer went
downstairs and found the wind had blown down the front door
and several windows.
About dark sections of the roof were blown off and all the persons
in the house went into Mr. Palmer's room. There a prayer
meeting was held, all joining in prayer and singing. Little Lee's
prayer was: " Dear Jesus, do make the water recede and give us a
nice day to play to-morrow."
After that all who could went into the bathroom. The water
arose until it came up to the necks of Mr. Palmer and his wife.
They then stepped upon the edge of the bathtub, Mr. Palmer holding
Lee, with his little arms clasping the father about the neck.
Mlrs. Palmer held to the shower-bath fixtures overhead and passed
her other arm around her husband's neck. Suddenly there was a
grinding noise. The house upset. There was a rush of water
and all were engulfed in the flood.
Mr. Palmer and his family became separated and he never saw
}them again. He went to the bottom as he was sure be was drownitng.
Suddenly he was caught by a swift current and arose to the
surface. He crawled upon what he believed to be a bundle of shutters
and drifted until his raft struck a shed and it sank. After