The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-02-06
10 the People Of WapeIlO Co

Fettooo Citizens: Having been chosen at
Public Meeting lately held in Ottumwa a
Central Committee for the County, 10 assist
in raising and forwarding supplies for the
people of Kansas, we take the liberty of ap-
pealing to you in their behalf.
Late letters and circulars from former resi-
dents Of this County, and reports of respon-
sible Agents selected by the people them
selves to receive and distribute supplies at
Atchison and Leavenworth, show that not
less than Forty Thousand persons are now
wholly dependent upon contributions from
abroad and that the number is steadily in
creasing. ...
Italso appears that most of them are very
scantily supplied with clothing, ard that
much sickness prevails, caused by scanty
and unwholesome diet and exposure during
the unusually cold and stormy weather of
last month. .
Snow has lately fallen to the depth Of two
feet throughout all the Southern Counties,
rendering it still more difficult to deliver the
supplies, and increasing greatly the risks of
suffering and death among the remote set
Elements and scattered families. Many have
already died of starvation under such cir
cumstances, and any cessation of the sparng
distributions now being made, will bring
suffering and death to themselves. While
money and clothing are literally forwarded
from the Middle and Eastern States, most of
their Breadstuffs and Grain for Stock and
Seed, must be sent from Iowa and Illinois.
Within twenty days the Mississippi will
be navigable as high as Keokuk, and the
Hannibal and ST. Joseph as we'll as our own
Railroads, stand ready to carry Grain and
Breadstuffs at very low rates. Our Express
Companies offer to carry money and clothing
without charge. Ample Storage room has
been secured at this place, for all contribu.
tons sent in from any part of this or adj.
joining Counties, and we will take pleasure
in forwarding daily by Express, and freight
ing by Railroad, everythi entrusted to our
care.
We are corresponding with Messre. n w
McCracken, H. Wider, B. Luce, John Myers
and other reliable and well known business
men who formerly resided in this County
and will see to it that all supplies forwarded
by us, go directly to the needy and deServ.
! ing, and are inpartially distributed
Blest with abundant crops, general health
and prosperity, and happily free frem the
! tumults and connections of other Border
States, gratitude as we'll as humanity requires
us to give freely for the relief of our neigh
bors in their sore extremity. Let auxiliary
organizations be made at once in every town
ship, and take advantage of the fine wealth.
err and good sleighing to send in Money
Orders for dry Goods, Boots and Shoes
Clothing, NEW or partly worn,) Grain
Breadstuffs, Garden Seeds, &c. ....
In determining the amount of your dona
tons, contrast their situation and prospects
with your own, and remember that almost
the whole population must have assistance
from abroad until next harvest. For storag,
and information apply to our shipping Com
mittee, Hedrick, Devin, and Ross, and SCI
that they are enabled to make good repor
for Wapello. Ottumwa, Feb. 8, 1861.