Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 September 1900 — GALVESTON AS IT WAS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

GALVESTON AS IT WAS

BEAUTIFUL AND PROGRESSIVE SOUTHERN CITY. rhe Greateat. Cotton Fort and the Fifth Commercial City in the United States—Has Risen Before from the Fury of Storm, Fire and Flood. Galveston, previous to the devastating storm, was one of the most beautiful and progressive cities of the sunny South. Its history indicates that it has been one of the most unfortunate. In 1872 the entire eastern portion of the city was swept away by a tidal wave which followed a terrific storm that raged along the Gulf coast for three

days. When the city had recovered from this calamity, and was built up In more beautiful and substantial style than ever, a devastating fire nearly destroyed Jt in November, 1885. Its enterprising citizens were not dismayed, however, and the city was soon rebuilt. In August, 1899, It was injured commercially to a great extent by the Brazos flood in which rich farming lands having an area of 1,380,000 acres were submerged for eight days to a depth of two to twenty feet. The loss as estimated by the United States Department of Agriculture was $7,414,000. The city has triumphed over all these adversities and will doubtless arise with increased strength from the present appalling disaster, for It Is the greatest seaport of the South, being connected with the entire railway system of the United States and Mexico and having direct lines of steamship communication with all the great ports of the world. It is the largest cotton exporting point in the United States and among the 127 foreign exporting points in« the country It holds fifth place. During the year 1898 Its exports Increased $10,500,000 and Its export End import trade is now fully $100,000,000 a year. Harbor Improvements. A leading cause of the city’s great commercial progress during the past few years is the harbor improvements made by the national government, involving an expenditure of over $8,000,000. In 1895 the depth of the channel over the bar was only twenty-one feet. By the construction of jetties and other Improvements which were finished in January, 1898, the depth was increased to twenty-eight feet and is still increasing at the rate of six inches each year owing to the action of the wind and tide. This depth of water permits the largest steamers to load and unload at the wharves. In addition to being the country’s greatest cotton port, immense quantities of grain, lumber, live stock and dairy products are sent through Galveston. Much of the grain from Kansas, Nebraska, lowa and the Dakotas, which formerly went to Eastern ports for shipment now goes to Galveston because the shippers can save in charges by loading at that port. The lumber exports in 1898-9 amounted to $1,247,914 and in 1899, the port handled $200,000 worth of eggs. Its trade tn live stock, dairy products and poultry has developed rapidly since the harbor improvements. Location and Description. Galveston Is situated on the northeast extremity of Galveston Island at the mouth of Galveston Bay, the entrance to which Is through the channel between the city and the southwest point of the peninsula of Bolivar. The island is twenty seven miles long, runs northeast and southwest, and is from one and one-half to three and one-half miles wide. Where the city Is built it Is one and one-half miles wide. It is intersected with many small bayous and bordered through Its whole length on the gulf side by a smooth, hard beach, forming a splendid' unsurpassed bathing. On this beach Is the magnificent Sea Beach Hotel. The streets of the city are but a few feet above the level of the bay. They are

wide and straight and the residence quarters are beautiful, abounding in luxuriant gardens shaded with magnolias and oleanders. During the summer months thousands of pleasure seekers from all parts of the South go to Galveston to enjoy the many attractions of the city and Its surroundings. On the bay, or north side of the city, is the commercial section, with wharves stretching dong for nearly two miles, Hued with ’sheds and large storage

houses. In this same portion are three grain elevators with an aggregate storage capacity of 3,250,000 bushels. The island from the north side is connected with the mainland by railroad bridges and the longest wagon bridge in the world, nearly two miles in length. On the south side of the city, beginning within fifty yards of the medium gulf tide, the wealthy resident portion of the city is located and this was the first part to be struck by the full force of the recent storm and flood. All of the eastern end of the city was washed away and some of the handsomest and most expensive residences were here located. There was one home which alone cost the owner over $1,000,900. Among the principal buildings of the city are, or were, the new custom house and postoffice, the cotton exchange, the Court House, the Ball free school, the free public library, the Roman Catholic University of St. Mary, the John Sealey Hospital and the School of Medicine of the State University. All the buildings of the city were constructed on substantial and modern lines. The city had gas and electric light plants, a water works system valued at $450,000 and supplied from artesian wells and a number of first-class hotels. In 1593 the gross city valuations were $25,000,000. The city debt was $1,750,000 and the officials had authority to issue sl,500,000 in bonds to raise money for permanent Improvements, and it owned property to the value of $1,955,560. The population? according to the figures given by the census bureau for 1900. is 37,789. History of the City. The island of Galveston was occupied by the famous pirate Lafitte in 1817 and continued to be his headquarters Until his settlement was' broken up in 1821. It is believed by many that somewhere on the island are buried treasures of the pirate and many stories of romance have been woven about the daring rover and his island home. The city of Galveston was founded in 1837. It was the scene of stirring events during the Civil War. The Federal forces occupied the city Oct. 8, 1862, but it was retaken by the Confederates on Jan. 1, 1863. During

the past few years the United States has spent $932,000 In the construction and equipment of coast fortifications near the city. Bay of Galveston. The bay of Galveston, the mouth of which is guarded by the island on which the city stands as a sentinel, is a body of water with an area of about 450 square miles. It has an irregular coast line and branches out into various arms. It receives the San Jacinto and Trinity rivers and Buffalo Bayou. Owing to the island being but little higher than the bay, inundations have often been threatened. The bay is quite shallow in most parts. Eentrance to It Is through the recently constructed deep water channel and flanking it on either side ar® the stone Jetties five miles long.

ORPHANS’ HOME.

MASONIC TEMPLE.

GOVERNMENT BUILDING, GALVESTON.