Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1860-08-17
Kan.as--rrospeetive Famine.

Kansas was once overrun by Border Ru-
fans, who devastated the settlements, in many
instances and demolished what the industrious
hand of the euaigrant had built up, destroying
CROPS as well as human lives. The day of
peacs came, and with it prosperity, Towns and
villages have since sprung up. and agriculture
has gone forward with rapid strides, until thou
sands of rich acres have been brought under
successful cultivation.
But now the demon of destruction has visit
ed that unfortunate land iu another shape
The drouth has swept over its fair fields and
the aspect of drear desolation is presented
An almost entire absence Of rain for months,
with blightiug srnouus. have literally cooked
what little vegetation put forth i'll the Spring,
and the hard-Borking farmers who have
looked forward expecting to realize the
reward of their past labors in the crops
of the present year, find their hopes blast
ed, and threatening famine impending over
them.
In the hope that the present year would
find Kansas State. and with full crops there
would be a self elfsustaiuing population, every
farmer put in from five to City acres OF wheat,
making all kinds of shifts to obtain seed
There was but little snow during the winter,
and consequently the wheat suffered from
want of moisture, but confidently anticipating
relief in the spring rains. a large area was
sogu in spring wheat, R:st no rain of conse
uuence fell until e.5uut the first Of LAY, when
all prospect of q wheat crop had faded,
and then the farmers thought to save them
aseIves by heavy planting of corn. Fully
three Zines the area ever planted before in the
territory was put in corn, aud now this the
last hope of the Kansas agricultursts is gone.
No wonder they look forward TO the future
with gloomy forebodings.
The consequence of this last scourge must
be to drive many worthy families baek TO the
States; for to remain will be to battle through
a year of want Those who cannot leave and
have not the means. independent of their farms,
of subsistence e-and this is the condition OF the
greater part of the farmers of Kansas-must
receive assistance from the States or suffer, if
not starve, in many instances The whole pre-
sent hope OF Kansas seems to have hung upon
this years crops; aud with the destruction OF
one the other has been cut down.
1t is stated that hundreds of responsible
farmers would willingly and cheerflIly pur-
chase winter SappHeS et Srocsties, cec' ia otlls
from SlO0 to $500 each and pay legal interest
from date, fi092o per cent? provided they
could have year to pay it in. by satisiactori-
Iy securing the amounts by mortgage on then
farms worth four or ten times the amount
wanted. OF the certainty aud aboundanee Of
the security offered not doubt can be enter
tained. Another season can scarcel- fail te
bring rain, abundant crops, a returning and
new emigration, admission as a State, and G
restoration of confidence. Will not some phi
lanthropic capitalist enter the field thus open
ed to them, and supply to their fellow citi
zens in Kansas, on the fair terms they pro
pose, the wherewith to relieve their urgent
necessities p Estate Journal.