The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1861-03-14
The Suffering in Kansas.


We have been requested by gen
tlemar OF this village to give place te
the following letters, written by resi-
dents of southern Kansas, to relatives
in Van Buren, County, where the writ
ers formerly lived. The gentleman
who requests their publication Informs
us that he has been acquainted with
the writer's from childhood, and can
voueh for them as high-minded, hon
orable persons, whose word is to be re-
lied upon. Of course we cannot say
as to the truth of the charges contained
in the letters, but that there is actual
and severe suffering in Kansas, we have
no doubt. That some unworthy persons
have received aid is no doubt true; but
this should not debar our citizens from
helping those who are really suffering.
1t should also be remembered that the
drought did not extended to all parts
of Kansas, and that while in the Sec
ton from which these letters were writ
ten there may be plenty, the citizens of
other portions may be starving.
Still it will do no harm for our
readers to investigate the matter be-
fore bestowing any more charity where,
it is claimed, it is not needed:
Starving (s Kansas.
NEosHo FALLS, Feb. 8, 1851.
SAMUEL RoBERrsoN, Esq.,. -"
a Keller, Van Buren, County Mich.
RESPECTED PARENT ~ We
are all we'll here and have plenty to eat have
neither decreased nor diminished and no prospect
of either; have had some cold weather for this
climate for the past two weeks with three inches
of snow; but the sun shines pleasantly to-day,
was at the Falls on Thursday the day for dis
tributing provisions sent from the north to the
starving Of Kansas. The aid that has been sent
here may have done good, but my opinion is it has
done more hurt for Kansas than it has done good.
Most all improvements here, far l know,
have stopped people depend on this aid for liv-
ing. We can't hire rails split for less than dollar
a hundred, and other labor at equally exorbitant
prices. People here can live without work and at
the same time are receiving aid from the States
saw persons get meal that are worth from two
to three thousand dollars and others that spend
more for whiskey and frolcking in one day than it
would cost for weeks provisions. Others that
never saw or heard of doing days work-and
probably never will as long as there are fools
enough to give them aid-received from the sup
plies; not one of whom but what were able to work
and get their living if they would; bnt in place of
working they lay lounging or loafing in the Store
or Grog shops and then ask the laboring people of
the North to aid them, Some were quarrelling be-
cause some others got more than they did one
would say, the others did not need it others that
it was general fund and they had as much right
to it as anybody else. went away and left them
qurrelling over the spoils of the hard earnings
from some generous persons of the States Money |
is worth from 20 to rs cents per annum. Flour is
worth So and 81 per 100 lbs Corn 81 per bushel;
butter Is cts per ID Groceries and pry Goods |
are as cheap as in Michigan ga Ea
Yours. Truly, AARON S. HATHAWAY.
DEAR PARESTs,-BRoTHERs AND SISTERS:
We see it |
announced IN the papers that Kansas Is admitted
into:the Union-therefore now reside in State. |
1t has been pretty cold here this winter. We have
two hundred and seven acres of land paid for,
have span of colts; three mich cows four
heifeIs and two calves. have sold 40 pounds of
butter We have plenty of good pork and plenty
of corn, dried pumpkin, grapes, &C., &c. We have
some of the best pumpkins fer pies l ever saw
far better than your pumpkins in Michigan. 1
enclose you some seed, which you must plant on
good mellow ground; this variety was introduced
here from one of the foreign countries. .
Additionally, Your Daughter,
ALZINA b. HATHAWAY. |