On September 19, 1900, Paul Laurence Dunbar took part in a recital to raise funds for the residents of Galveston, Texas. Several days earlier, a devastating hurricane struck Galveston and thousands of people were killed. The storm was followed by looting, homelessness and shortages of food and medicine.
Huge Wave From the Gulf Swept Over the City, Inundating It To a Depth Of Twelve Feet. Most Terrible Disaster In American History. The Situation Is Beyond the Power Of Description, and the Extent Of the Disaster Will Not Be Known For Many Days.
This morning over four hundred bodies had been recovered of those who perished in the most destructive gale and flood in the history of the United States. The dead are literally lying about in groups, and it is impossible to estimate what the total will be. The storm raged for thirty hours, from Saturday morning until yesterday. The city today is in ruins. There will be a great and immediate demand for aid for the sufferers in the Galveston horror. Help from the state and the nation must be given or the suffering will be appalling. Food, clothing, and money are needed.
"Great Destruction of Life and Property in Galveston." El Paso Daily Herald (El Paso, Texas). September 10, 1900. Page 1.
As part of the nationwide relief effort, Paul appeared alongside other authors, musicians and vocalists at a church in Washington, D. C., where he lived with his wife Alice and mother Matilda.
Galveston Day
September 19, 1900
Musical and Literary
Under the auspices of the Lone Star Reading Circle to aid the Texas Sufferers
In the Auditorium of the Metropolitan A. M. E. Church
Program Begins at 8 o'clock Sharp
Program
Reading Mr. Paul Laurence Dunbar
Recital program, September 19, 1900. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 5).
This is Galveston Day -- a day during which thousands of people of Washington will make peace with their consciences by helping to swell the fund for the relief of the Texas storm survivors. Thousands of dollars will be realized. Thousands of people will be gladdened.
"All Goes to Galveston." The Times (Washington, D. C.). September 19, 1900. Page 5.
The benefits to the sufferers from the Galveston storm given by the theaters and some of our churches here were steps in the right direction. The enjoyable concert in behalf of these victims given at the Metropolitan A. M. E. church Wednesday night was a success in every respect.
The Colored American (Washington, D. C.). September 22, 1900. Page 8.