The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-04-13

While tho South Carolina papers themselves are CON-
paratvey reticent upon the actually suferng condition
OF the people In the interior Of that STATE the following
letter, from Colonel John B. Palmer who was selected
by General :. K Scott 70 distribute the supplies sent
by the Southern Famine Relief Commission. a this city,
In Lexington district win touch chord in the heart Of
tho humane wherever the description read me state
ients may be received Is Trustworthy. The letter 10
written under date Of Sauda Factory, Lexington district
April S. rs.1 9 M ar 4s sra8 "a q
have received your note Of the 10th ult stating that
your commission hoped to send other shipments soon,
and that you would be glad 70 know nom me tho pre-
sent state o. destuton In district and how lar the
corn already received VIII supply n. Before endeavcr.
ing 70 reply 70 your inquiries permit me, 10 behalf OF
the destitute widows and orphans Of this district TO
charity has brought comfort and comparative happins
TO many desolaied hcmcs q I37Fs-s III .s..satf \
weekly cannot last moro than two weeks ionrer even
with the worry greatest exercised In the distribution
SO DESTROYS am that should only reach the cases Of
real and aggravated want that refuse many appllca-
tions that are undoubtedly really mentorious, and
which would. In your land Of plenty. DO considered
have issued this morning. to about eighty families
comprising, perhaps four hundred persons Tomorrow
sh sss ~ M nearly Is many mese TINS
Of these poor creatures have como twenty miles, and
have been two days dragging themselves where they
ever, Hive in my immediate neiahborhood. ~ 1900
Our stricken people are struggling faithfully to ensure
come KNOW
ledge Of farmers who having lost their horses and
mules and being unable to buy or hire others, act
ually trying 70 break up thar old fields with hoes In
their desperate efforts 20 raise scanty support for their
families during the coming winter ta2 E1t
Two cases Of actual starvation have como under my
personal observation I was informed Of the serious
illness OF an aged widow and two daughters and, upon
visiting them, found the mother Of tho daugh-
ters IN the agonies Of DEATH and credly informed
that for some time their sole subsistence had been the
refuse thrown into the streets and roads, encouraged
the second daughter by promising assistance and she
recovered and WAS supported by I'll procured her
employment. God only knows how many similar cases
might be searched out in our fan!shed land.
hare before letter from widow lady recently
In afiiuence, and whose family name has been
associated with ono or the very highest posi-
lions in our country, In which she makes APP
plicatlon for loan 70 enable her 70 open thread
and needle store In which 10 employ her daughters
Shc writes :-T have ono small loaf Of bread in my
house upon which my entire family must dine. We
have nothne for supper and Heavenly Father only
knows where we will procure breakfast tomorrow
from wealth TO abject poverty, asking II there Is any
for distribution to OF her class and stating
that since the she aud her daughter havo barely
supported themselves by taking In needle work. but
that now great Ia the dcstution around thcn she
procure employment or any kind and that she Is
compelled. most reluctantly, to seek relief from public
charity. s..
The great will be experienced within the next
two or three r.onhs The wheat crop, when husbande
will relieve many, but arg, number must continue 70
suffer till corn which Is the staple Is gathered Any
further assistance you may afford our people will be
gratefully acknowledged and remembered.