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Newspaper
Boston Weekly Globe
Location
Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
Date
Oct 20, 1885
Page
9
A storm and flood sweep through Texas washing away two villages and causing about two hundred deaths. Rescue efforts mobilize as authorities assess the catastrophe and search for survivors. Local officials vow aid for families and impacted communities.
Reports describe a violent gale sweeping the Louisiana and Texas gulf coast with flooding and two villages almost wiped out, over 200 deaths and 5000 cattle lost. The storm then roared north to Lake Michigan and Ohio Valley hitting Buffalo Detroit Cleveland and Toronto before brushing England and Ireland with wrecks and limited fatalities.
New Orleans October 14 The entire coast from Atchafalaya to Galveston Bay flooded by the Tuesday night storm. Sabine Pass Texas and Johnson Bayou Louisiana suffer the heaviest losses with 58 dead and 127 missing. Sabine Pass, a 200 person village, is wiped from existence as the Saline and East Texas railroad is heavily damaged and fields submerged. Thousands of cattle drown and property losses run high with many wharves wrecked and towns abandoned.
In Orancoe Kentucky October 15 distress looms after Johnsons bayou storm. Hundreds drowned and property destroyed with thousands left destitute. The Cameron Beach Hotel escaped collapse only by cattle climbing into the upper story. Sixty two survivors arrived aboard the mily P. and thirty seven bodies recovered with sixty five still missing. Death toll feared to reach around two hundred as relief is slow and destitution grows.
The terrible gale began last night and continues with reduced fury. Burwaro experiences significant property loss though life remains comparatively safe. Many families are left destitute after destruction of their homes and belongings. The storm disrupted streets and livelihoods as residents assess the damage.
The sea wall break and hurricane smashed frame houses along the West Shore and Boston New York Providence tracks, leaving about 200 island residents homeless and destitute. Many children died or were drowned. property damage estimates reach £500,000 with ships and light craft harmed along Detroit and Canadian shores. Winter storms spread from Windsor to Toronto with high winds and frost on the way, including snow in Rockland County.
London October 14. A gale strengthens into a hurricane across southwest England and Ireland causing ships to seek refuge in Foynes harbor and Bantry Bay. Two large wrecks near Ireland and Wales flood streets and devastate shore towns. Multiple vessels lost, crews drowned, and extensive property damage reported from Falmouth to Brighton.
The State Board of Health held a special session after reports of fever in Biloxi Miss reached New Orleans. Drs Lemon Muagbin and others discussed mortality and suspected yellow fever. A quarantine was declared for Harrison County pending investigation.
A San Antonio report notes the season's wool clip may top only 3.5 million pounds as sheep shearings lag. Prices hold firm, 678000 pounds sold at 13 42 to 22 4 cents per pound, against hefty eastern demand and growing Texan optimism for higher future output amid fewer lamb deaths.
Cixcrxnuts, October 14. Jacob Weller & Co., wholesalers in peanuts and pickles, failed today with liabilities around 100000 and assets near the same. The failure is traced to forgery by their confidential clerk R M Doll who fled to Canada after writing a confession. Four hours later Staats, Edwards & Co., another peanut commission firm, failed holding about 50000 worth of Weller’s paper with liabilities likely to reach 60000.
October 17 report from Sanpwich Mars Cape notes the coldest sunrise of the season with frost harming bogs near salt water. About two thirds of the cranberry crop harvested, but at least three fourths of berries on vines yesterday frozen, risking near total loss though chilled berries may still fetch a market in Mashpee and inland villages.
Salisbury Maryland records a disastrous night as a massive fire destroys the business district. Starting at a stable on Dock Street at 7 PM the blaze spreads rapidly, aided by a drought and SE wind. The fire engine fails, thousands are left homeless, and losses exceed one million dollars with two thirds insured. No deaths reported, but merchants face heavy joss as stock and furniture burn. Salisbury, county seat of Wicomico, thrives on lumber, grains, coal, and manufacturing with ten schools and a new courthouse built in 1878.
The wheat bear rules Minneapolis with No. 1 hard wheat at 69 cents on Monday, the lowest price yet. Last week Minneapolis received 892,000 bushels, down from 1,070,000 the prior week and 1,548,000 a year ago. Elevators on the Milwaukee road report Dakota houses nearly full and scarce cars to move grain out fast. Duluth and nearby markets show a large growing visible supply, with 1.8 million more bushels in Duluth than Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth combined a year ago, and 10 million bushels in store at the three points versus 5.446 million a year ago.
A Times dispatch from Erie Pennsylvania reports wreckage and aboard furniture washed ashore proving the vessel went down west of Erie with all hands. Ten to twelve crew were seen clinging to the rigging as a government search vessel arrived. No definite clue to the ship's identity or port has emerged aside from a name board suggesting Peru Chicago.
Exineypar Dak Oct 12 C C Lovell reports extensive property destruction from prairie fires in McIntosh County. Many families lost all possessions as hay grain and homes were burned. The area beyond the Cotteaus lies in a blackened waste with smoke darkening skies.
Philadelphia October 13 General B F Butler writes General Blanton Duncan that he is out of politics for good and will devote himself strictly to his private business.
A Chicago anarchist case report from Eau Claire Wisconsin quotes Captain W P Black attorney for the Chicago Anarchists. He predicts a Supreme Court reversal on errors of law and argues a commutation or pardon is possible if the verdict is affirmed. He notes public opinion and influence within Chicago etc.
Across the Maine New Brunswick line a band of smugglers and wreckers raided Eastport during a fire, looting shops and homes while authorities were overwhelmed. The U S revenue cutter Levi Woodbury arrived to drive English vessels from the bay, promising protection as islanders face days of danger and potential confinement on foreign shores.
Bought by Jerome I Case for 73435 the Glenview stock farm near Louisville 647 acres sold to J J Case for 1150 per acre. Five horses disposed of for 122935. Nutwood Mambrino Chief stock sold to E D Stout Dubuque for 22000 and Pancoast to John H Shultz Brooklyn for 28000. Wicklitre bought by J B Crosier Pennsylvania for 6900.
An officer reports Chief Engineer Loring has provided machinery specifications for new cruisers to firms in Philadelphia San Francisco Providence New York Baltimore and Boston. Naval Constructor Wilson has issued further specs to Charles Reeder & Sons Quintard Iron Works Pusey Jones Wilmington and others for vessel construction.
The record catalogs a series of firms and individuals connected to iron works and shipbuilding across major cities. Names include York, J.P. Morris Works in Philadelphia, Union Iron Works in San Francisco, Atlantic Iron Works, Camp & Sons, Hoffman & Co., and W. T. Maister of the Columbian Iron Works in Baltimore, among others.
Dr C H Merriam of the U S Department of Agriculture reports forthcoming bulletins on how common birds affect agriculture. The English sparrow is labeled a pest due to its rapid spread and destruction of grapes and fruit trees. the bobolink helps rice fields but harms grain elsewhere. The field mice eaters among other birds provide pest control, while the crow shows mixed impact as a crop thief and vermin destroyer.
The Republican will publish a report on the fall harvest across western Massachusetts, northern Connecticut, southern Vermont and New Hampshire. Farmers report an uneventful season with average to above average crops. Corn faces doubt but generally yields well. potatoes, tobacco, apples, pears, and grass show strong production. Hadley meadows revert to broom corn amid favorable weather and late rains.
From Riveland North Carolina the piece notes North Carolina’s growth since 1880 driven by climate, location, and resources. It describes a convention of adopted Northern and foreign born citizens to Raleigh on October 26 to attract settlers and capital, outlining practical aims to divert migration southward and boost industry and education with strong official support.
The article surveys Europe’s wartime mood as the Bulgaria elections provoke Russia and Austria, with France wary of Germany and England backing Bulgaria. It notes scarce funds for war, Russian poverty, and diplomatic strains, plus cholera raging in Corea with Seoul facing massive death tolls and near extinction risk.
The Bulgarian National Assembly results show 480 government candidates, 26 Sankoff anti-Russian supporters, and 15 adherents of the opposite party. Reports from Europe mention M. De Lesseps sailing to New York for Liberty dedication ceremonies with Count Napoleon Ney, alongside unrelated notes on Rev. Stopford Brooke, Rev. John Hunter, and Henry Ward Beecher.
In Albany on October 16 two elderly workers, Michael O Mara and John Burke, were buried under several tons of barley after grain spilled from a bin. They were rescued but suffered serious injuries. In New York on October 15 Pierre Lorillard sold stallions and brood mares.
A San Francisco Times dispatch reports cholera in Corea at catastrophic levels. In a 200000 population capital the death rate reportedly hits about 1000 daily, with Coreans nationwide swept away, as authorities struggle to bury the dead in what is described as an appalling pest spot.
Claims to Harlem Common in New York will file a bill in equity in the U S Circuit Court New York seeking partition and citations to heirs four lawyers and four named judges will share one third of the value with 1400 claimants from every state and Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The land is valued at 30 million dollars and the case may take months with expected compromises among current holders.
Baltimore enforces a 1866 blue law restricting sales on Sunday. No tobacco, candy, soda, or liquor can be sold. even medicines require a doctor’s prescription. Drug stores and saloons are closed. newspapers mostly circulate. Public indignation grows as jurors push strict enforcement.
Captain Kirby observed a black gum tree in Hlade’s woods dripping rain from its top though surrounding ground was dry. Water streamed down the trunk as the tree appeared to weep with drops no larger than a pin’s head. Kirby and James E. Byrd of the Maryland Steamboat Company viewed the phenomenon with J. T. Bowdie on the scene.
Unfavorable abroad news and quiet markets prompt several sales as the Havana market shows renewed activity at close. Prices quoted include molasses sugar at 1.60 to 1.87 per quintal and muscovado refined at 85 to 90 degrees. Warehouse stocks reach 26 000 boxes and 867 000 bags with weekly receipts of 739 bags and 157 bhds and exports to the United States totaling 120 boxes and 15 000 bghd. Freight rates for sugar loading to the United States run around 202 to 225 per bhd, with north coast ports noted.
Reports from Kansas City dated October 17 reveal plans for Missouri Pacific changes. Jay Gould and Vice-President Hopkins confirm intended move of general offices to Kansas City, consolidation of shops from Alkenson, Parsons, Pleasant Hill, and Nevada, and rapid expansion across Kansas toward Nebraska and Texas. A 250 mile westward line in Kansas is finished with grading contracts to the Colorado line toward Colorado Springs, aiming to bridge Pacific and Santa Fe lines.
In Marretra Georgia on October 15 a discussion at Bud Manning’s home over scriptural points led to violence. Mrs Tuck accused Mrs Tuck’s stance on pre Adam men provoking Ed Manning to call her liar and inflict a mortal wound with a jack knife. The report also notes a horse sale at the Rancocus breeding farm with prices and buyers including General William H Jackson and Milton Young.
William Gillespie Walker, nephew of James Blaine, has entered the Jesuit Fathers at Santa Clara. He is 19, after a year as a student at the college, and had long desired a religious life. His mother was the sister of James Blaine. He was buried on the day Cleveland was.
In Ishpeming Michigan a former tramp named John T Jones bought refuse ore piles from Winthrop Hematite Company at twenty five cents a ton. He proved the piles contained valuable ore and expanded operations, shipping cargoes to Joliet and forming a company with two Iron Mountain men. Jones now mentors a striking rise to local prominence, wearing new clothes and driving by the mine three miles to Winthrop. His origins trace to Massachusetts with little known about his past.
Rose Elizabeth Cleveland will stop editing Literary Life after two more issues. She cites misalignment with the Chicago printed magazine and ongoing disputes with proprietor Elder. Family opposition, including President Cleveland, and contract difficulties with a six month term contributed to her decision.
The steamship New Brunswick of the International line, running St. John to Boston, reached Boston dock after nearly a day overdue. News of a fire near Trout Cove caused widespread alarm and rumors of loss. Weather and a forced stop at Machias Bay explained the delay. passengers and crew were greeted warmly on arrival.
President Cleveland makes several appointments in New Hampshire with W H D Cochrane named pension agent at Concord replacing Thomas Cheney. McIntyre succeeds Charles J McIntyre as master at Lancaster. Nathan H Leavitt named postmaster at Newmarket. Cambridge and Hull Obituary notes and local details include veterans connections and local officials. The overall tone is official and celebratory of the new appointments.
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