Posted by Larie Tedesco on 28 NOV 2008 6:56:22
I have some newspaper articles that have Rev. Russo's name in them, plus other
names of interest. I will post them as I can type them. Sometime the word
in the articles are not legible to read.
article about the storm of 1893.
11, 1893
by the Citizens's Central Committee
Made Looking to Centralization
a Census of Need,
>
> The Funds of the Committee Considered Inadequate,
a Statement Will be Issued to the Public Giving Good Reasons for the Call for
Aid
met last night in the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Robert Bleakley
presided. Mr. M. McCabe, secretary, Mr.s Samuel Geoghegan, treasurer, and a
large number of members were present.
of the French Market committee, reported that the total collections amounted
to $1405.00 of which $1380.00 have been expended for relief. Every day fresh
arrivals from the devasted districts apply for food and clothing. Some of the
men are desirous to go to work on plantations, but have no money to defray their
traveling expenses. There are several sick people at Mr. Boulet's residence.
Mr. Salatich is caring for 30 people.
the French market committees, stated that the men from bayou Cook, Grand Bayou
and vicinity, were in need of help to get their luggers out of the marshes.
> The gentlemen were requested to ascertain exactly what amount of money
was necessary, and to report to the committee as soon as possible. Meanwhile
on motion of Rev. Mr. Leucht, an appropriation of $200.00 was voted for temporary
relief.
night the sad plight of oyster fishermen whose luggers had been driven into
the swamp by the storm, made a similar statement last night, and said, that
the skilled labor and machinery to get the boats out of the swamps would entail
an expenditure of about $2000.00.
was referred to a committee of three, composed of Messrs. Wm. Harvey, L. H.
Marrero and J. Bassich.
of the number of refugees at Harvey's canal, their names and their needs. The
committee allowed Captain Harvey $100.00 to relieve immediate distress.
> Mr. Walter Sazon, who was in charge of the steamboat Gamma, sent out to
Cheniere Caminada, Grand Isle and neighboring islands, by the relief committee,
submitted his report. It was as follows:
>
crew, left the foot of Bienville street at 2 p.m. Friday, October 6, 1893, for
the submerged and storm-stiicken country, with all necessities for the alleviation
of hunger, pain and suffering: W. L. Saxon, captain; S. M. Fusich, chief-clerk:
Mike Perevich, first mate; Nick Martiolich, second mate; N. Riddle, engineer;
Vernon Venables, assistant engineer; George Rolf, first pilot; Adam Joachim,
second pilot; Dr. W. E. Parker, surgeon; Dr. Clarence Pierson, assistant surgeon;
Walter Abel, steward, Fred Lee Menne, assistant steward; P. B. Shannon, Charence
Varvin, Adolph Mill, distributing clerks; M. M. Rosenberg, clothing clerk; Harry
Williams, cabin boy; Nick Butler, oiler; Nick Brown, H. Peterson, firemen; Solomon
Brown, cook, Julius Eustis, waiter; P. Perovich, T. Preevich and John Parker,
guides.
to Grand Isle. At 8:30 p.m., ran aground at Point Pleasant, where we remained
until 11:00 a.m. mourning of the 7th, nothing worthy of note intervening.
> Oct. 7 - At 9:30 a.m. the lugger Red Rover, with Wm. Warner, owner and
captain, reached us, having been sent for by skiff from the Gamma. This craft
was heavily laden with provisions of all kinds and sent outward in charge of
S. M. Fucich, with Adolph Miller and Tom Preevich as assistants. Believed of
this load and of fifteen barrels of water, which were roped and transferred
to the lugger, our steamer was enabled to proceed on her way.
11 o'clock a.m. encountered the lugger Esperanza, a Malay lugger, with twenty
men on board, to whom we furnished food and water.
at Cabonage, a Chinese settlement. The people here had only partially been
relieved. We gave them clothing for ten and provisions in plenty.
3:15 p.m. - Arrived at bayou Dufond, where there were forty-five in need,
to whom we furnished water, provisions and clothing.
Met steam launch John C., Captain John Lewis, of John P. Lewis Shrimp Packing
Company, of bayou Andre, with a load of Chinese and Malay refugees, to who we
gave cooked food.
lugger Ely Treadway, himself on board with several companions to whom we gave
provisions. Some of these provisions were for division with the last man remaining
on Razor Island who is reported to be insane.
Island we overtook the lugger Red Rover, which we had sent out in the morning.
Here also we met Joe Slavish, alone is a skiff without food or clothing, both
of which we gave him.
our relief being the first they had since the storm.
out as follows:
and the remainder supply of clothing. Quite a number of these people included
were late refugees from Cheniere Caminada.
the Red Rover and Vienna, the latter of which was chartered by Captian Saxon,
were heavily loaded with provisions of every king and sent to bayou Cook, Cheniere
Caminada and surrounding country, in charge of S. M. Furich and under his personal
supervision.
wharf, to whom we furnish for distribution seven barrels of water and some provisions.
After some delay caused by patching up our boiler with a combination of tools
from the two steamers, we were enabled to get up steam and to proceed further.
> Before we left we distributed a good quanity of relief, as follows:
> To Baptiste Eghe, clothing and supplies for four people; to Lao Grego,
for five people; to Clement Feb, for eight people; to Michael Terrebonne, for
nine people; to Joseph Oscar, for six people, to H. Nacarrie, for seven people;
to O. and P. Coulon was given clothing for himself and family, and supplies.
> 6:10 p.m. Ran aground opposite the Ocean Club Hotel, where we
remained all night, waiting for the tide. While here we met the steamer Amelia
Harvey, bound for New Orleans from whom we received information and to the places
most in need of food and raiment.
as 6 a.m., we were surrounded by skiffs and luggers. The people came from Grand
isle and Cheniere Cminada in search of food and clothing. Saxon and Mr. Fucich
went in a skiff to Kranz landing to consult with the officers of the boat as
to the best manner and extent of rendering assistance.
return of the gentlemen supplies and clothing were distributed as follows:
To Paul Peron, Victor Peron, Elice Peron, Plas Aia, Victor Boudreaux.
> To a party of eight on lugger St. Louis, Enoch Lanasse, captain, who were
on the way to rescue the lugger Pantaleone, we gave supplies.
following distributions at Grand Isle were made by individual inspection by
Captain Saxon, Clarence Vairin, Drs. Parker and Pierson. To Jos. Regaud for
ten people; to Adam Feb for seven people and clothing for himself and wife and
children: to Victor Boudreaux, for fifteen people; to George Chigizale, for
thirty people; to A. Chigizale for twenty people; to a party of men and women
on lugger John L. Sullivan; clothing to J. Jevon, clothing for himself and family;
clothing and provisions were furnished a household of fifteen refugees, women
and children from Cheniere Caninalla, who occupied the house of E. Marquez.
> Before leaving Grand Isle we turned over to Mr. A. Jordet, of New
Orleans, who kindly offered to distribute equally to those in need, on board
his lugger, the Amanda, provisions of different kinds.
in tow dismantled lugger Lisbon from Cheniere Caminada with about twenty refugees
bound for New Orleans in charge of Mr. D. Lozorre, member of police jury; Jefferson
Parish.
Colon, clothing; Jos.Cawlain, clothing and provisions; E. Auzulato, provisions
for 6 people; M. Perez, for five; J. Calants & Bros. for twelve; J. Bilesate,
for six; J. Crostre, for eight; J. Jorbonie, for six; Leon Rigaud, for eleven,
also cooking utensils and bed clothing; to Geo. Minie, provisions for eight;
Alf. Egle, for five; to O. Fulon, for eight.
homeward, intending to visit several points never visited before.
4:30 p.m. - Met a Manilla man in a skiff off Razor island, to who we supplied
a barrel of water.
we left more provisions and took aboard twenty-six Chinese and Malays, including
men, women and children, with their remaining possessions, scanty clothes, sewing
machines, bedding bird cages, etc. To all refugee passengers aboard we supplied
bountifully three meals.
relief boat Stella, to which we transferred provisions.
Drs. Parker and Pierson dressed wonds of two females, which were received during
storm at Cheniere Caminada.
du Fond were; T. Vallenlaina, with his family, and experienced pilot in these
waters, who were entirely destitute, owing to whose assistanee at the wheel
we were enable to complete our trip by night without accident or delay. Before
his departure from the boat we furnished himself and family with clothing and
provisions to last for some days.
leaving the steamer Stella. Upon arriving at the mouth of the canal we turned
over to Mr. John Parker for distribution to needy refugees all remaining provisions
aboard.
street, and D. Lazarne's party at Harvey's canal.
by us to her proper moorings in Company's canal, after which all the crew departed
for their homes.
L. Saxon, Captain
Vairin.
vote of thanks for their excellent work.
his appointment by President Flower to represent the Cotton Exchange, and turned
over to Treasurer Goeghegan a check for $1500.00, the first installment of moneys
collected by the exchange, to be held as a special fund to be dirstibuted by
order of the relief committee with his approval.
the following contributions:
>
from the Comeaux-Aiken Packet
the Rescue crevasse fund $ 10.00
5 percent of Monday's cash sales, donated for the
152.87
Aiken, president,
Company 10.00
> Cash from a sympathizer, through, R. Bleakley, Esq. 2.00
total collections to date by the committee 7,965.07
by Rev. I. L. Leucht and Rev. H. H. Waters
> Union National Bank 50.00
> Joseph C. Morris 25.00
> Traders' Bank 25.00
Kohn 25.00
> Steinhardt & Company 25.00
National Bank 25.00
Son 10.00
> S. T. Blesing 5.00
> Total collections to date handled by the committee 7,965.07
>
missionary of the Methodist Episcopal church, called at the city hall during
the day.
Baraco, oyster fishers, whose bother was one of the victims of the storm. These
men asked that help be extended them to get their schooner afloat again. She
is stranded in Grand pass. They stated there were many widows and children
in the city of men who perished during the hurricane. The mayor requested his
visitor to get the names of all those destitute persons and to bring him the
list, which will be handed by him to the citizens' relief committee.
The mayor's action was approved, and on motion of Rabbi Leucht the Rev. Russo
will be invited to appear before the committee.
he had read in the newspapers about two days since an account of the rescue
of a young boy, near Southwest pass, floating on a piece of wreckage. That
boy is now at Harvey's canal. He took a great interest in the boy, and succeeded
in tracing up his people. The boy is a nephew of Mr. Dupuy Lazard, of Cheniere
Caninada.
to send him back to his people.
drafted and published sitting forth the needs of the people whose home were
wrecked by the storm, and giving a statement of funds on hand. Dr. Luecht did
not think the committee had enough money to in sight to meet the emergency.
> Mayor Fitzpatrick moved that an assistant secretary be elected.
> Mr. Walter Eble was nominated, and received the unanimous votes of the
meeting. His compensation will be fixed by the finance committee.
The meeting then adjourned to this evening at 7:30 o'clock.
Walter Saxon gave the following additional list of donations received on board
the Gamma:
groceries
1 bag sausage
Red Cross Society, ten bundles clothing
(in charge of citizens' relief depot), twenty seven barrels clothing
J. B. Junqua, one barrell claret wine
five barrels flour, five bags beans, five barrels grits
> Plaquemines Police Jury
in the Parish
to adjournment, the police jury of the parish of Plaquemines met this day at
the courthouse, Pointe-a-la-Hache.
members answered and were present: First ward, H. P. Kernochan, president;
Second ward, Robt. Espy; Thrid ward, Emile Schayot: Fourth ward, Thos. Brophy;
Fifth ward, Geo. Schoenberger; Sixth ward, Geo P. Anderton; Seventh ward, Roselius
Peres; Ninth Ward, Felix Williams; Tenth ward, C. Bulot.
Eighth ward, G. V. Groleau.
of the previous meeting were read; and on motion of Mr. G. P. Anderton, seconded,
the following resolution was adopted:
of the last meeting of this police jury be amended to read as follows:
> That in the absence of the present district attorney at said meeting, who
was excused by the president, and to prevent further loss in the premises,
> Resolved, That the secretary be empowered to collect all outstanding
levee claims, and employ other counsel if necessary.
> Resolved, That the police jury of this parish appoint as the
central committee to take charge of supplies and money contributed for the sufferers
of the recent storm Messrs. Marc Coznevich, F. C. Meyers, Robert Hingle, A.
E. Livaudais, Jos. Cosse, simeon Martin and J. F. Fasterling.
the following sub-committee: First ward, H. P. Kernochan, Geo. E. Mann: Second
ward, John Dymond, Robert Espy; Third ward, Emile Schayot, N. M. Herbert; Fourth
ward, Thos. Brophy, Geo. W. Lee; Fifth ward, Geo. Schoenberger, Robert Leovy;
Sixth ward, Geo. P. Anderton, Thos. Dennis; Seventh ward, T. S. Wilkinson, R.
Peres; Eighth ward, G. V. Grolean, A. G. Grimshaw; Ninth ward, Felix Williams,
D. G. Wire; Tenth ward, Clement Bulot, Fred Stockfleth.
further, That the two gentlemen now appointed on the sub-committees of the respective
wards be empowered to select a third member.
the contributions received by the central committee and forwarded to the sub-committees
be distributed by said sub-committees as seems best in their judgement.
> Hon. H. P. Kernochan, president of the police jury, was unanimously added
as a member of the central committee and made ex-officio, chairman thereof.
> On motion, duly seconded, the roll was called. The member from each
ward was requested to make a report of the damage occasioned by the storm in
his ward, whereupon the following data were obtained:
- No lives lost. Slight damage to cane.
Two houses blown down. Slight damage to cane.
lives lost. Rice crop two-thirds destroyed. Buildings, $1200, Stock, $1000.
Orange crop, total loss; damaged trees, 50 percent. Levees damaged, $2000.
At the island in rear of third ward no lives lost. Every house except three
blown down.
Orange crop, total loss; 18,000 boxes bo oranges, at $1.25. Orange trees,
one-half lost. Rice crop one-third. Buildings three-quarters down and balance
damaged. Luggers and oysters, $6000.
Levees, $3000. Buildings, eight houses blown down, valued at $2000. Oranges,
8000 boxes sweet Creole, at $1.25, and 8000 boxes mandarin, at $2, total loss;
orange nurseries, $3000, stock, $1000; orange trees, 60 percent. Rice 500
barrels.
- Slight damage to cane
> Nineth ward - Twelve lives lost. Levees damaged $3000. Orange trees
one-third lost; orange crop total lost. Seventy-five houses blown down. Rice
crop three-quarters lost.
lives lost, including those lost at bayous Cook, Chute and Grand. Levees damaged
$3000. Oranges, $150,000; orange trees, 50 percent. Buildings $10,000, Camps
and oysters, $25,000. Luggers and other crafts $20,000. Stock, $6000. Rice
crop, $10,000.
the Third, Fourth, Fifth, Nineth and Tenth wards of the parish of Plaquemines,
said sections being outside the limits of any levee districts, and having to
direct provisions for the building and maintenance of it levees, which have
been practically destroyed by the cyclone of October 1, and the people being
deendent upon the levee system for the protection of their lands,
Therefore, resolved. That the police jury of this parish appeals to
the governor of this state to take such measures as he within his power and
may be proper for the restoration of these levees in the recently overflowed
and storm stricken district;
of four be appointed by the president to present these resolutions to the governor
and to urge action thereon.
Dymond, G. P. Anderton, M. Cognevich and F. C. Meyers.
duly seconded, the president of the police jury was authorized to immediately
proceed to have all necessary repairs made to the courthouse.
motion, duly seconded, the health officer was instructed to take such steps
and measures necessary to remove all dead carcasses lying exposed in the stricken
district of this parish, and to employ labor for that purpose.
> H. P. Kernochan, President
>
Step Towards Practical Relief
>
Railroad. He told a Piayune reporter that the police jury at Point-a-la-Hache
has taken active steps to assist the sufferers. Fully $1500 has been raised,
and it will be judiously applied. The meeting of the police jury on Monday
was the first regularly organized meeting to consider what should be done.
Mr. Dymond says that the subar cane crop has not been very much injured, but
that the rice and orange crops have been ruined.
left the city at 10 a.m. yesterday a large quanity of provisions, clothing and
lumber was sent to different points for distribution among afflicted. State
Senation Albert Estopinal, representing the relief committee of St. Bernard
parish, forwarded a large supply of provisions and necessities for La Chincha.
> Mr. W. Hebbler, who kept the clubhouse at Shell Beach, complained
bitterly of having been misquoted in some of the New Orleans papers, "A reporter,
with a vivid imagination, stated that Captain Tony's boat came to my rescue.
How could that be, when all Captain Tony's boats were lost? That is but a
single example of the many fanciful stories told of the rescue and the events
at Shell Beach. I could have, and would have, got away with my family early
on Sunday night if I only had a seaworthy boat. My losses were very large.
Nine boats are gone; in fact, I can summarize my losses by stating that all
that was saved was the furniture up stairs. The house is in ruins. The only
reason that any of it was left may be ascribed to the fact that the kitchen
was most exceptionally stoutly built. I cannot help ascribing blame to the
fishermen for permitting their boats to be carried away. There is no earthly-reason
why the boats should have been lost. The fishermen knew
was coming, yet they did not take the proper precautions to secure their boats.
There was one big skiff, large enough to put a box car in."
Pullman, commander of the fishing sloop Annie, had a fearful experience. He
was out at sea, and encountered the full brunt of the tempest's fury. He abandoned,
all hope of ever reaching land. His sloop was tossed mercilessly about on the
waves which were mountain's high. He ordered all his men below, as he feared
that if they remained on deck they would be washed away. The men demurred obeying
the order, but Pullman insisted upon their going below, telling them that if
they had to die they had as well die in the hold as be swept off the deck.
Pullman, however, did not quit the deck. He lashed himself to the mast, and
in that position remained all through the storm. The Annie proved herself
to be a staunch little craft, for she rode in safety through the storm and yesterday
left the city on another trip. Captain Pullman found the body of a man at sea.
He recognized it as being that of an old school fellow of his. The body was
buried on one of the
friend in an American Flag, and reverently placed it in its last earthly home.
The flag that was would round the dead man was highly prized by Captain Pullman
as it had been presented to him for saving life at sea. Captain Pullman's friends
state that the effects of the night of the memorable Sunday has caused him to
age fully ten years. He has not told his wife what he passed through, as he
dreads that if she knew it would either try to make him give up the sea, or
else would always be fretting when he was away.
reference is made to the meeting of the police jury. The following is a condensed
report of the action taken:
with the president of the police jury, H. P. Kernochan, as ex-officio Chairman
to solicit subscriptions in addition to those already recived for the relief
of the storm sufferers.
of the state and aid to assist in rebuilding the levees which are situated outside
of the levee districts, and which have been destroyed. The property holders
in the damaged section are responsible for the repair and maintenances of theirlevees
under the law, but owing to said levees having been destroyed, crops lost and
lands devasted, they are unable to rebuild their levees, but if said levees
are rebuilt by state aid they will be able to maintain them.
>
Donations for Distress
donations yesterday:
No. 1 - Several packages of clothing. This is the second donation from McDonogh
No. 1.
> From the G. H. Diedrick Furniture Company, of St. Louis, through
W. G. Tebauld, Esq, $10..
Associan, through John Parr, secretary, $25.
the following list from survivors of the storm:
were drowned on October 1, 1893:
Lost at Cat Island, in the schooner St. Bartholomeo, now at Nine-Mile bayou.
Left a wife and three children aged from 3 to 5 years. His wife's name is
Grazia Vivilugua and she resides at 128 Carondelet Walk.
Lauricella, aged 44, lost at Creole gap, on the lugger Angelina, now at Creole
gap. Left a wife and seven children, aged 1 to 15 years. His wife, Minziata
Lauricella, resides at 128 Carondelet Walk.
aged 39, lost on the schooner Emma. Left a wife and one child, 6 years of age.
The wife, Giovannina Valentino, resides at 129 Villere Street.
Anthony Banaco, aged 44, lost at Creole gap. Left a wife and six children,
one 18 months and the others 5 to 15 tears if age, His wife Angelina Barraco,
resides at 92 1/2 Villere street with Barraco's father, aged 70 years.
> Albert Mancuso, aged 24, Kist at Cat island, on the lugger Raffaelo
Romano, now at Mobile bay. Left a mother, aged 56 years, of whom he was the
only support. Her name is Lucia Mancuso, and resides at 92 1/2 Villere Street.
> Pasqualle Mazzula. Lost on the schooner Borte at Grand pass.
Was 44 years old. Left a wife and four children, aged from 5 to 17 years. The
two oldest are girls. His wife, Grazia Mazzola resides at 76 Barracks street.
> Anthony Baliatto, aged 40. Lost at Cat Island on the schooner
St. Bartholomeo, now at Nine-Mile bayou. Left a wife and 5 children, aged from
2 to 8 years. His wife, Estella Baliatto, resides at 239 Chartres Street.
> Donation by Kosmos Lodge No. 71 - $25.
Citizens' Supply Depot
Street:
Hunzelman, clothing; Mrs. Mack Gray, clothing; P. F. Colron, M. F. Bailey, Jos.
Mertzweller, Mrs. B. B. , Mrs. C. F., Mrs. A. Leo, Wm Redmond, Mr. John McLeod,
Mrs. A. Chaplain, E. A. Zatarain, clothing.
$1; Oscar Bozant, $1.
have done considerable hauling for the committee free of charge.
Clothing and supplies were forwarded yesterday to Mrs. Marcoe, at Mississippi
City, via the schooner Falster.
>
a bolt of white flannel each to the Louisiana Rifles and Washington Artillery
Baseball clubs for their uniforms for the charity game for the benefit of the
overflow sufferers.
treasurer, Mr. J. H. Charles, have donated two dozen pairs of baseball stockings,
Cohn & ber have offered a handsome walking cane to the player making the best
general average. Captain Eugene May has offered a large box of Huyler's choice
candy for the player having the most stolen bases, Leon Godchaux has offered
a fine silk muffler to the player having the best fielding average and a pair
of silk suspenders to the player making the most base hits.