The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-10-20
The Need of Haste.

settlements III Michigan were situated
along the shores of Lake Huron and
MichigaU, remote from railro Ids, mac
ceSsib!c by ordinary roa Is, aud only
communicating with the outside world
by means of boats Oh the lakes during
the season of navigation. Such was
the condition of Manistcc, on Lake
Michigan, aud the settlements around it
destroyed by fire. When navigation
closes, AIauistcc will be entirely cut off
from til. rest Of the world for the win
ter, except that occasional slei chs, pea
ctrating several days journey through
the wilderness, mag reach it, carrying
the mails an small loads, provided the
roads arc cleared of timber fallen in
consequence Of the fires. Tao situltion
Of White Rock, Lexington, Port Aus
tin Sand Beach, Cato, Forcstvillc,
iichmondvillc, Cass River, aud nearly
all the villages aud settlements along
the Huron coast, is similar. 1t is now
past the middle OF October, aud winter
is close at hand Thirty days from to
day may sec the close of avigation
Oh the lakes, and the sutf cut off
from our sympathy and aid by the icy
barriers OF winter. IL will then b. too
late for effective aid to reach some of
the settlements. 1t winter should close
in, with on y ordinary severity in those
northern regions, and catch the unfor-
tunato settlers still housclcss, without
sufficient food, or clothing, or tools, or
materials for building, or bedding, or
stoves, there may follow a tragedy from
cold aud exposure so awful as to make
the very name of Michigan dreadful to
cmigrauts throughout the civiliz cd
world. There arc women, aud child.
rem, and tender babes, whom the cruel
frost Of the northcrn woods will not
spare, particularly If aided by hunger.
1t is, therefore, necessary for the
people of the State to be generous I'M
mcolIatciy, for the benefit of these dis.
tant and not easily accessible places
New houses will have to be built by the
settlers at once ; and they cannot begin
building them too soon. 1t takes time
to build even Il settlers log cabin, and
the time between now aud the sevcrest
cold of winter is very brief, even if the
season should prove favorably mild
Among the first supplies forwarded
ought to be u goodly supply of tools,
such as axes, carpenters saws, planes,
draw-shavcs, AIDES, augurs, etc. and
nails, screws, windowglass and sash
lime, stoves and kitchen utensils, beds
and bedding and plain furniture, beside
food and clothing, But these things
have all to be connected and forwarded
within short time to the most isolated
points. After these arc provided, and
storchouscs for their use arc filled, our
generosity can with more leisure attend
to the less urgent needs of more acces.
siblc places, which can be supplied DUR
ing the winter, from time to time, being
within the reach of railroads and ordi.
nary highways.
For these reasons, We hope for an ia.
slant and general response to the call
upon the generosity of the State. The
Governors proclamation points to the
machinery of collection and distribu-
ton. Authorized agents will be ap.
pointed in each county Immediately, to
receive and forward supplies. Let the
people go to work with a will, and have
the supplies ready by the time the