The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1871-11-03

ONE THOUSAND KILLED AND THREE THOU
SAND DESTITUTE.

BAND bEhilENEE.
Gov. Fairch.ld, OF Wisconsin, has H.
sued the following address 10 the people
OF his State, describing the extent of the
calamitons fires there. and making an
appeal for aid that should bc heard not
only within the borders Of Wisconsin
IT. he People N lFisooasiH
The accounts of the appalling calamity
which has fallen upon the east and west
shores Of Green Bay have not been ex-
aggoated. The burned district compri.
sea the counties 81 Oconto. Brown.
Door, and kewaunee. aud parts Of Man
itowoc and OutaRamie. The great loss
Of life and property has resulted from
the whirlwind Of fire which swept over
the country, making the roads aud ayen-
ues Of escape impossible with fallen tim
her aud burned bridges The previous
long drouth had prepared everything
for the flames. The loss Of life has been
very great. Tho first estimates were en-
tirely inadequate, aud even now il IN
feared that u in much greater than pre-
sent accounts place Il. II IL known that
at least 900 persons have either been
burned, drowned or smothered. OF
these deaths, COO or more were al pesh
tgo and adjacent places, and the Others
IN Door, hewannee and Brown Counties
Men are now penetrating that almost in
accessible region for the purpose of
atfording relief, and fear that their re-
ports will increase this estimate. From
the most reliable source of information
| learn that not less than 5000 men, wo-
men and children have been rendered
entirely destitute. Mothers are left with
fiherless children, fathers with mother.
less children, children are left homeless
orphans. Distress aud intense suffering
are on every hand, where but few days
ago were comfort and happiness. Scores
al men, women and children now lie
helpless. They are burned and manned,
Ia temporary hospitals, cared for by more
fortunate ncighbors. These suffering
people must be supplied with food, bed
ding and clothing. feed for their cattle,
aud the means of providing shelter dur
ing the winter. The response by the
good people of Wisconsin has already
been prompt and generous. II is meet
ing tho Immediate need, and Is being
faithfully aud energetically distributed
through the relief organization, al Green
Bay, but provision must be made for
months IN the future. There are want
ed -four, salt, and cured meats not cook
ed, blankets, bedding. stoves. haled hay,
building materials, lights, farming inn
plements and tools, bOo's, shoes and
clothing for men, women and children,
log chains, axes with handles, nails. glass
aud house trimmings, aud indeed every
thing needed 10y farming community
that has lost everything
To expediats the transfers at Green
Bay, all boxes should have cards attach
ed tO them, stating their contents, and
all supplies shenld be sent to the Relief
Committee at Green Bay. Money con
trihuied should not be converted into
supplies, but should be forwarded TO the
COMMITTEES. Depots have been estab-
hshed at Green Bay, under the manage
ment a n committee Of publie-spiritei
aud energetic men, who have the confi-
denee Of all, for the receiving and dis
patching supplies. They have organized
IA system Of b-depots contiguous 10 the
burned regions, aud steam boats and
wagons ara being sent out with supplies.
Let ns uphold their hands ia the good
work, and see that their depois be kept
filed 10 oyerfioWing. II is fortunate
that Ne live in a prosperous and wealthy
State, blessed with prosperity in bnsi-
moss and oyeriiowing harYests, and that
thus we are, by wise Providence, en-
dowed with the means 10 help our leSs
fortunate neighbors
i am urged by public-spiritea citizens
Of the State TO call an Immediate extra
session Of the Legislature to provide for
this calamity. / have given serious at
tcniion 10 this suggestion, and have con-
eluded not 30 do SO, for the reason that
the expense Of such session would be
likely 10 equal the amount which the
State would be asked 90 contribute. Be
ieving, therefore, that the people aud
Legislature viii indorse my action in
this emergency, | have, in conjunction
with the State Treasury, decided 10 nd-
vance such a moderate sum Of money as
seems 10 be appropriate, in addition 90
that contributed.
LUCIUS FAIRCHILD.
Governor Of the State Of Wisconsin.