Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-10-25
Suffering in Kansas.

resident of this County, and a gentleman upon
whose statements reliance can be placed, is
handed us by citizen of this village, to whom
it Was addressed and we publish it that our
people may properly consider if they cannot
dispense with few luxuries for the benefit of
the suffering in that new Territory
CENTRALIA, Nemeha Co., Kansas Territory, }
October 10th, 1860
JUDGE RICHARDSON, Dear Sir "A few
weeks ago, the citizens of this vicinity, in view
OF the certain famine before us, met and mp.
pointed an Agent to go East and obtain relief
for one and all that need tho necessities of life.
AS that Agent, tho Rev. Daniel Foster was
appointed, and a Committee of three was
chosen to receive such funds as he shall
raise, and distribute them, and to take such
other measures as they shall deem proper, to
meet the necessities of these to us, trying
times am the Secretary of that Committee,
pie of Montpelier and vicinity be requested to
donate something from their bounties to meet
the urgent wants of our people, who have
nothing for the coming winter.
No doubt you already know that the drouth
this season has prevented US from raising any
1 thing. No corn, no wheat, no potatoes, and
thus no meat except such as is got by visiting
the plains enc hundred miles west Of US, and
killing the buffalo. In this-Nomcha County
with population Of some 5000, not enough has
been raised to feed 100 persons. West and east
of US it is no better, except the river Counties,
that is, those Oh the Missouri river, which have,
/ am informed some one third Of u crop. In
fact We have almost no grass for hay, and am
now cutting slough grass six miles from my farm,
to get something to winter my stock with
Many have property, land, and one cow Or
two, a yoke Of oxen, with some improvements,
and would supply themselves with what they
want, but they cannot sell their stock, as every
one has more than they can find any thing to
feed and it is more than probable that many
will die before spring, unless an all-wiso Prov
ideace gives us very mild winter. And rs
for land, it cannot be sold now for the price we
paid Government for it, nor can it be mortgaged
for money at any rate Of interest," for the money
is not in the Territory. Our unworthy Presl-
dent has been the means of calling it all away
to pay for our lands, ere We had lived on them
long enough to call them " oar homes"
Our people are willing to live close, they arc
accustomed to it, and the pass summer they
have been compelled to do it. They raised but
small supply of vegetables last summer, as
they are not a sure crop on the new broken
prairie, and none of the land Of this part Of the
County was broken before the summer Of $50.
All looked forward with strong and anxious
hopes to tho crop they hoped to raise this fall.
Ali those hopes are now blasted, and feeling
of despair rests upon many Do not wonder
at it, Who would not be inclined to do the
same if they lived upon corn-bread and what
they got from one COW for eighteen months, and
then see not only the hope Of a better living de-
stroyed, but the very corn for bread, gone
Scch is the Uery fact with hundreds in Kansas
at this time God in his all.wise Providence
has ordered it thus, and we would not complain
or beg. But our people, those who suffered and
strove SO long in Kansas to make it free, and
get themselves and their children q home in free
Kansas, must not starve or go hungry while
know of people 50 full of the spirit of free
dom, who have been so willing to help us when
we had only " Border Rufians " to contend
with, that Sharp's Rifles would brighten. We
cannot take our knapsack and rife and drive
away famine; We have no alternative but to ask
assistance, leave oul homes or starve.
You may think this is an over-wrought case
but have not even told the worst. Persons
have already starved to death in Kansas within
the few past weeks. One case, mother to save
her children. Another, q whole family llyc(
upon the milk of one cow, Tor two weeks, ant
then it died, and the family would have starved
but for the kindness of one who has ever look
ed for the good of Kansas. Three out Of every
four of my immediate neighbors, have nothing
to eat but corn-meal and salt, and daily hea
some one say, " am out, where can | gel
more?' The committee have received, ant
distributed 500, and many arc saved thus ia
by it, but you know it is but trifle among on
hundred families.
f We are healthy as a community, except thu
scurvoy. Daily see cases of that loathsomC
disease, brought on entirely by the prfvatiol
from vegetables. One of my nearest neighbour
: -one-half mile from us-has it, also his wife
and four children. prescribed potatoes, acid
and generous diet, says the poor man, s.
cannot get ii"
, For the people in this vicinity | ask dona
ton, to be taken IN the Churches and public as
semblies of Montpelier and vicinity, Of money
, with which the committee will go to Iowa, ant
buy vegetables and distribute as best they can
write thus free to you, as my early acquaint
; ance with you, warrants me in 50 doing. Pleas
write me early what you think can be done, S,
I can report favorable to this afflicted people
Send money in drafts on some Eastern bank
If the people are willing to donate box o
clothing, it will keep many warm that must g
cold and naked, especially barefoot, for all the,
can do towards providing for themselves, bu
first give us the /" staff Of life"
In behalf Of the suffering people of Kansas
DAN NEWCOMB,