Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-11-25
RESTITUTION In IOWA.
A Detailed and Authentic Account of
the Situafion-A Narrowing Story to
Fail on Christian Ears. 49,

A Detailed and Authentic Account a
the situafion--A Narrowing Story 3
FAN on Christian Ears. i.
Il There is sad state of restitution exist
ing In Osceola county, Iowa. The peopl
tnere are reported to be entirely destitut,
OF both food and fuel. Several person,
have already died from want and exposure
twisted hay and turf grass are the onl,
Kinds OF fuel which nine-tenths of the peo
pie have, while their food and clothing are
insufficient for the neeessaries of life. The
settlers OF the county have appointed a
committee to set forth their condition. and
that committee has issued an address. Ia
which they saw
"The most of the settlers came here last
| spring with little or no means, and depend-
ing entirely on their efforts during the sum-
mer TO carry them through the winter; hon
estly and faithfully have they toiled. A
very large amount Of ground was sown and
planted in the spring-more than sufficient
to raise subsistence for all the coming win
ter, if it had not been for an extremely wet
backward spring, and the invasion Of a vast
army of gtasshoppers, which caused almost
a total failure Of corn and small grain crops.
so that they now find themselves on the eve
OF a long, cold winter, worse off than in the
spring, without food of the plainest kind.
and without means to purchase fuel to pro-
tect themselves and families during the
coming winter. There are hundreds of
families who have not sufficient clothing.
and know not Where the bread they will
eat ten days hence is coming from, or their
fuel. The same people, relying on their
crops to carry them through the winter,
have labored diligently through the sum-
mer, and thousands of acres of the prairie
have been turned over ready for crop
next spring"
A correspondent of the DesNoanes Reg
ister writes from Jefferson, Iowa, under
date of the 18th inst. as follows:
! have Just had long interview with a
former soldier comrade, now ''home-
steader' in Osceola county, and from him
learn something concerning the present and
future wants of the hundreds of good peo-
pie making themselves homes in that and
other counties. 1t will be remembered
that in 1872 good crops were raised in that
section, and that all had plenty and to
spare. In the spring of 1878, every prepar-
alton was made for great crop of small
grain, and 1t prospered exceedingly until
alb out the first of June, when the grasshop-
pers came, and the fields of waving graf n
were made desolate-entirely running the
crop. great many homesteaderS at once
left, realizing the coming Of the present
condition Of matters. But hundreds of
families had not the means at command
to pay their expenses of travel, and hence
were compelled to stay. A little corn was
saved in some sections, but of very infe-
rior quality. Plenty of hay was made, of
the best grade. so the stock viii at least
have that much for support. But as to the
people? My informant makes this state
ment:
'.Nearly every man is poor, very poor,
and great majority are ex-soIdiers of the |
Union with young families to support. |
When the grasshoppers took the crops we |
did the best We could for the coming win |
ter. We went to the lakes and caught bar |
rels OF fish, but we did not have the means |
to properly care for them, so they spoiled. |
Stock was sacrificed to the sharks that in |
fest our section, at the next to nothing of a |
price, and many of us have thus eaten I'D |
and worn out the horses and work cattle |
hat had been our main stay. We could |
BUY no fuel, and when left, twisted hay
and rank reed grass was the only fuel nine
enths of the people were using Much sick
ness prevails, brought ON by long abstinence
rom wholesome and nutritious food. One
family / know of has the father down with
he rheumati SIN, three out of six children
we're down with the measles, while the
mother was about worn down herself.
Jorn-meal grated from frost-bitten nubbins
vas the only food in the house, if the sod
md board shanty may be called such. The
laOIlla haar with o+h |
ually extend aid as far as posi-
Die. One young man from JASPER
county, who happens to be
,ood shot, has valiantly taken
lpon himself the task of keeping all invalid
antilles supplied with meat, wild game,
nd the day left brought some geese and
lucks to the family have mentioned. But
hat will soon end, with cold weather. You
want to know what they need? They
eed everything-fuel, clothing and pro-
lslons. The women and children are suf-
ering greatly already for the want of cloth
ng. know Of several wOmen who died
Don after giving birth to children because
hey could not have even the common lux
Try OF cup of tea, or anything nutritious
o aid them iii regaiRing strength, coupled
With the want of proper bed-covering. The
most of the counties can extend no aid, for
he reason that thieves have been running
fairs, and have stolen all, just as they did
ONE years ago in Clay courty. Many
antilles will leave on foot, having sold
heir horses and cattle TO keep them alive.
'one general way of relieving those who
must remain must be put in operation
light away, else the first snap of real cold |
weather. will send many good man, or
Il. I
hey will be so weak and emaciated that
hey cannot stand the ii gorS of winter,
ven in its weakest appeara nee