Other References for 1886 Storm
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1886 Storm, Indianola Hurricane
There are many good references to learn the details of the 1886 Storm. As a descendant of pioneers of Indianola, however, it is more personally relevant to learn a small portion of how the terrible hurricane impacted our family.
In the information available at this time, it appears that the Smith-Rahtgens-Ludwig families did not suffer any deaths during the storm, although there were two family members who died shortly thereafter:
- xxx, who drowned in another hurricane that hit 5 weeks after the August 20 Storm
- vv, who died in January of fever
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San Antonio Daily Express October 17, 1906
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Publications and Other References
- Indianola: The Mother of Western Texas, Brownson Malsch
- Indianola and Matagorda Island, 1837-1887: A Local History and Visitor's Guide for a Lost Seaport and a Barrier Island on the Texas Gulf Coast Linda Wolff
- Indianola Scrap Book Calhoun County Historical Survey Committee, 1936
- Indianola Scrap Book Leonard Joe McCown, 1974
- Old Indianola, Lois Lucille Gray
- 1886 Indianola hurricane, Wikipedia
- Remembering Indianola on the 125th anniversary of its destruction, Victoria Advocate
The survivors of the storm, even though dispersed across the state and beyond, managed to maintain a sense of community by holding numerous gatherings and reunions. Several newspaper announcements for the first of those are below. Henry Smith, WH Smith and Harry Rahtgens were all on the initial Invitation Committee.
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Given the terrible destruction of the storm, it is not surprising that family members relocated, most to Port Lavaca. The house of W.H. Smith Sr. in Port Lavaca had been been taken down in Indianola, moved and reconstructed in Port Lavaca. Other Indianola residents did the same with their homes. Church bells were also saved, relocated or reappropriated.
As discussed on the 1875 Storm page, the location of the family residences, still in Old Town, may have provided for better protection against the floodwaters than structures in Indianola proper.
Indianola Visitors Guide - Calhoun County Museum
Other reunions were held, including the one below (date unknown), one held in conjunction with the 1936 unveiling of theLa Salle Monument, and a booklet of material gathered for the 100-year anniversary of the storm called Indianola Memories.
San Antonio Daily Express October 29, 1906
Houston Daily Post, October 30, 1906
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