Lindsey Graham

In mid-November, Clara Barton at last left town, confident that Galveston was firmly on the road to recovery.

And as the Central Relief Committee disbanded, its members looked back on their extraordinary efforts.

Over $1.25 million were raised, streets cleared of debris, businesses reopened, homes reoccupied, and ships once again filling the wharfs.

By New Year's Eve 1900, Galveston was a city reborn.

but already residents were contemplating radical changes to make sure nothing like the events of September 8th ever happened again.

Imagine it's January 1901 in Galveston, Texas.

You're a local cotton exporter, and you're walking along the wars with George Hodges, a prospective investor visiting from Chicago.

Carpenters are busy putting the finishing repairs on your warehouse, which was destroyed in the hurricane.

You turn your gaze from the workmen to Hodges, trying to gauge his interest.

So you can see, the whole city's made remarkable progress these past few months.

Soon you won't even be able to tell there was a hurricane.

Hodges nods, tilting his neck as he watches the carpenter fit a window into place.

Well, it's certainly impressive to see you all bounce back so quickly.

When I was in Houston last week, the local business league made it seem like Galveston was doomed.

Well, they underestimate us.

Galveston is just as sound an investment as it ever was.

Hodges scratches his beard and shifts his way from one foot to the other.

Still, I wonder if I might be better off investing in Houston.

I won't lie to you.

I like the idea of placing my money further inland, closer to the major railroads.