The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1860-11-17
THE KANSAS FAMINE.
Systematic Relief for the suffering People Of Kan

More than three m ontbs ago, reports reach.
ed the Eastern States In regard to the des-
titution in Kansas in consequence of the
unprecedented drouth. The reports were
however, so contradictory, that it was deem.
ed proper to make thorough personal in
vestigation. For this purpose. Thaddeus
Hyatt of New York, visited Kansas, and
after full inquiry, he became satisfied that
it was necessary to have thorough organi-
cation in the Territory before an appeal was
made for the relief of the sufferers. To &C.
complish this the citizens of the various
counties and townships were requested to
organize and appoint their own committees.
Statistical tables were printed and furnished
to them, and in nearly all the counties or
ganizations have been formed. A general
agency was established, consisting Of Thad-
deus Hyatt of New York, Gen. S. c. Pome,
ROY of Northern Kansas, and w. F. NJ. Ar
ny of Southern Kansas, who have entered
into an agreement for the receipt and distri-
button of money, provisions, DC. for the
relief of the sufferers.
This agreement places in the hands OF
Mr.. Hyatt of New York city. authority to
raise money in the Eastern States to pay
freights, &c, and to the Undersigned au-
thority to obtain money and produce in the
Western States, and to Gen. S. G. Pomeroy
and the Rev. Mr.. Mahen, the business of re-
ceiving at Atchison, Kansas, (Which is the
terminus of Railroads to Kansas all
freights and distributing the same to the
various county and township Organization
by them to be distributed to the most des-
titute. The conclusion of the agreement is
as follows at is now mutually and SOL
emily agreed as a covenant with each 9TH
err and our benefactors in the States as well
as with our suffering people at home in
Kansas, that neither one of US shall directly
or indirectly receive one dime of money or
produce contributed for relief as a compen-
sation for our time, labor or effort; and shall
only be entitled to compensation for inciden-
tai expenses necessary for the transaction
of the business, and shall give and take YOU
cheers as we'll from each other as from all
other persons. and preserve the same for
final settlement"
The reports received from the county and
township committees show great amount
of restitution in prospect as well as already
existing. They are too lengthy for publ
cation, as they contain the names of each
settler, and his condition and wants. A
few of the reports in condensed form can
only be given here, and these are from va
rious portions of the Territory.
The committee of Auburn Township.
Shawnee county, report the names of ''64
families consisting of 254 persons. In this
80, 100 bushels of corn was rails
ed in 1859 The crop this year will be 90
bushels Wheat raised in 1859, 1850
bushels; in 1861 only 10 bushels. Pota-
toes in SO. 2,715 bushels; in 90, ! 5 bush
els. Garden products this year, SIS. Cash
on hand, S348. SO families are without
money. Old corn and meal on hand, 604
bushels; flour on hand, 2,C65 lbs; grocer
les S34. 47 persons have left, 6 persons
moved in. All will need an entire supply
of seed grain next spring"
Cottonwood Falls Township, Chase coun
ty, report 90 families, f18 persons. The
committee in conclusion say that "the men
whose names are on this list have been here
over year; have spent all the ready means
which they had, and the droutb and failure
of crops have left them without bread or the
means of procuring it..
Judge Graham, chairman of the commit
tee for Center Township, Madison county,
in submitting the repor says ''One- third
of the inhabitants are in destitute circum-
stances OF the other two thirds, there are
80 families, lag persons. that are partly
supplied; families are without any money.
1t is ascertained that unless relief is had
from abroad, three fourths of the inhabi-
tan;s of this county will be compelled to
leave the county or starve A number of
cattle have died in this county of Spanish
fever
Eureka Township, Greenwood county,
ThnV
have ESQ bushels of corn and meal and 8
sacks of flour: not dollar in money. There
is not bushel Of corn or meal to the indi-
vidual in the township and only i pounds
OF -four to the person; l l families are with
out meal or -four except as they borrow from
Others
Butler, Hunter and Otoe counties, with
of 900 persons, are reported By
Judge Lambden, P. G. Morton, Esq, and DR..
Lewellin, as follows: at is truly alarming
as to crops; there are none-it Is complete
failure There will not be go bushels OF
corn raised in the three counties. Three
fourths of the population are almost destitute
of money, clothes and provisions. Very
few have more cattle than supply their i'm
mediate wants; some indeed have been de-
prived of their last COW by disease which
has prevailed in this country, called the
Spanish Fever" Many families have not
more than one bushel of corn meal in the
house; that, with some buffalo meat and
milk they get, compose their daily food
The facts as they really exist are, that the
people are in a suffering condition. and, uu-
less supplies are furnished from some source,
much suffering will be the result"
Marshal county, Blue Rapids township,
report for-nine families in very destitute
condition; they have little money and scarce
ly any groceries on hand.
Atchison county. Grasshopper township.
43 families-228 persons-two thirds OF
the families in want Of winter clothing, and
seed grain wanted in the spring.
Bourbon county, 4e9 famifes-e.C63
persons-all needing help more or less as
the statistical tables show.
H. A. Smith, Esq, Secretary Linn Coun-
ty Relief Committee, says:
The reports received thus far by the
County Committee present most alarming
state of facts. The Township of Potosi re
ports 9S families destitute. and those fam
lilies embracing 491 persons. Scott Town
ship reports an aggregate of 1S5 families.
IO5 of which need immediate assistance; and
.,ofara Of 0sbar to-oSbinS