The Great Galveston Disaster, Containing a Full and Thrilling Account of the Most Appalling Calamity of Modern Times Page: 395
xiv, 17-536 p. : front., plates ; 24 cm.View a full description of this book.
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THE STORM'S MURDEROUS FURY. 395
portions of the mass except by clipping it away with axes or by
burning it. If such a wind had struck Dallas or any other town
in the State, it would not have lasted a moment.
Another thing I have been asked by the people of the interior
was why the resort to the ocean as a burial ground was had, and
why burning was afterward resorted to. When day broke after
that night of horror, the people could not realize the immensity of
their woe. It required but a short time for them to know it. The
first on the streets were the first greeted by the' corpses.
They fled hither and thither, wringing their hands. Others
stood still and stared in a dumb way. Some cooler citizens suggested
that the bells be rung and the people assembled to grapple
with the situation. And lo, there was not a bell in town to sound
the alarm. It was suggested that the steam whistles be blown.
And lo, there was not a whistle with steam to give it note on all
the island. Then they went up and down the streets, crying,
"Fall in, people; for God's sake, fall in." They got a few people
together in this way. As they had gone about, more corpses
appeared.
THE NUMBER GROWS LARGER.
What should be done with them ? Strange to say, the suggestion
was made that inquests must be held on the bodies and the
law complied with. But the corpses began to grow larger in number.
Inquests now were no longer discussed. Those who could
work began to gather the dead bodies and carry them to the undertaker
shops. There was confusion, but all were doing their best.
The purpose now was to place the dead in coffins. But the number
increased. The idea was abandoned because, simply, it could not
be done. Seven hundred putrid bodies were piled up in the building.
Something must be done.
Then it was suggested that they be taken to the sea. The
substitute was offered that they be burned. But where burn the
latter? It could be done on the beach where the debris was, but
how get there? Every street running across the island to the
beach was blocked. The substitute suggestion was abandoned.
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The Great Galveston Disaster, Containing a Full and Thrilling Account of the Most Appalling Calamity of Modern Times (Book)
This book covers the Galveston Hurricane of 1900, the United States' deadliest natural disaster. It includes accounts from survivors and eyewitnesses, and photos of the devastation.
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Lester, Paul. The Great Galveston Disaster, Containing a Full and Thrilling Account of the Most Appalling Calamity of Modern Times, book, 1900~; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth26719/m1/453/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.