Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1863-11-11
A GLORIOUS DEMONSTRATION
Relief for Soldiers Families /! +!

PRINCETON, November 9, 1868.
To the Editors of the Evansville Journal
Having noticed movements made in
different places recently to provide for
soldiers families, l wish to let the people
know what we are doing here You re-
member l described in the Journal a
meeting we had in Princeton last July,
when $500 were raised for the relief of
the families of soldiers, and that then
said that " the bravery of our soldiers
would ever be remembered, and that our
people would see that the wives and
little ones they had left behind them,
weeping over their memories, should
never want for kind sympathy or mate
rial aid. Last Thursday and Friday
the citizens of Princeton and vicinity,
to the number of two hundred men,
busted themselves in cutting and deliv-
ering wood to the families of our absent
soldiers, During the two days about
tloo hundred cords of good wood were
cut and delivered to about forty-fve
families The wood was furnished by
M6ghr MfgBrs eETFFepeA WMAJ W6fta atTaast SIX
hundred dollars. All our citizens Joined
in the movement with two exceptions
those who could not leave their business
giving something to purchase wood-so
besides the wood delivered, the commit
tee have in cash and wood yet to be de-
| livered, about 5000. We may set it
down the families of soldiers in Prince
ton and vicinity were, in those two days,
assisted to the amount of about eight
hundred dollars. We ask what commu-
nity has done better? While doing this
amount of good it was made at the same
time period of jollifcation for the men
and boys engaged. On Friday evening
a grand procession of all the choppers
and teams was formed and marched
through town in military style, com
manded by DR.. Kidd, Henry Appended,
Jesse Kimbal and H. Turner. First
came the Pioneer Corps of twenty axe
men; next large load of wood, upon
which was seated our excellent brass
band; next large wagon drawn BY
eight oxen, surrounded by the boy chop
gtpers; then followed eighteen loads o
wood, then two loads of rotten wood and
stumps. Upon the latter was seated "a
!: youth, who bore a banner with :;
strange device" namely, a rag upon {
stick, having this inscription upon il
2" for those aoho refused to &c" A boo
and shoe firm, when called upon, woul
ri neither furnish a. chopper or contribut
anything, so the two loads of rotten WOO
and stumps were for them Immediatel
after these followed eighty axemen an
p. then a rear guard. They marche
through our streets, the band playin
and the men holding their axes at
shoulder arms. A halt was made at th
shoe shop and the loads of stumps
= dumped off, while the band played a
appropriate tune, and the boys enlivene
= the scene with few select groans an
Te secesh yells. 1t was an odd and sing
lar performance. a.t
70 This is but one of the many efforts Of
people have made and will make in ca
is. ing for and ministering to the famili
Is, Is among us of our brave and absent 81
IS. diers.
Il / know a case in another town, whe
'S' two ladies of Home Relief Society v
ts. tied the family of soldier, and found
ts' mother and FIVE children who had n
had a mouthful of bread or anythi
with which to make it for three da
. When asked why she had not made b
fore my husband went off to
& war, although we were poor /
husband, by his, Industry and ecoi
my, had been able to maint;
us comfortably and decently, and 1 {
not irish to beg. 1t is needless to
that the ladies saw that this little fan
! were at once provided for. Persons v
have never known want feel ashamed
ask assistance, and will sometimes su
first. 1t is our duty to hunt out
needy, and in as delicate and kim
heir manner as possible give them aid, lett
them know that it is not charity, but
dutu of those who stay at home in c
fort, to help provide for the tamllle
M our absent soldiers. 80 sasgeisi,
=. Few of us know how sad life IS, W
starvation and misery walk around
sci lowly cabin, when those who have L
tate, late in comfort see ghastly famine and
rsrs. chilling winds their daily companion
"God help the poor an infants feeble wall
ma Comes from yon narrow gateway; and behol
A female crouching there, so deathly pale,
Huddliag her child to secure it from the cold
Her vesture scant, her bonnet crushed and to
T. A thin shawl doth her baby dear enfold
And then she bides the ruthless gale of -morr
Which TO her very heart b ath sent its coldl
AN And now she sudden darts a ravenin0 Look
doors AS one with new hot bread comes mast the nj
i give And as the tempting load is onward borne
thai She weeps. God help thee, helpless one, fori
M - Such is but life picture of too i