The News celebrated a significant achievement in its Saturday report by announcing that Galveston’s population had grown impressively by nearly 30% during the last decade of the 1800s, marking the highest growth rate among southern cities. This was a moment to rejoice, showcasing the city’s development and potential prosperity as it moved into the new century.

However, this optimistic news was overshadowed by the impending catastrophe of the 1900 hurricane, which would soon strike Galveston. The contrasting feelings of growth and impending disaster highlight a grim irony, as the newspaper had reported a bright future for the city just before one of the deadliest natural disasters in American history struck it down.