The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-11-21
SUFFERING IN IOWA.
pestitu.icn in the Northwestern Part
Of the State.
NEED OF MONEY, PROVISIONS, CLOTHING
AND FUEL.
An Appeal for Assistance

jefferson. Ia CNov 10, Dispatch 20 the Dies Noines
Register
have just had long interview with
former soldier-cOmrade, nov a home
steader' in Oseeola County, and from him
learn something concerning the present !
and future wants of the hundreds OF good
people making themselves homes in that
and other counties. Ii will be remem.
bered that in 1872 good crops were raised
IN that section, and that all had plenty and
10 spare. In the spring Of 1878, every
preparation was made for great crop OF
small grain, and Il prospered exceedingly
until about the lst Of June, when the
.. asshopDers came, and the fields OF way
ing grain we're made desolate-entirely
running the crop A great many home
steaders Mt once left realizing the coming
of the present condition of matters. But
hundreds e families had not the means at
command TO pay their expenses Of travel,
aud hence we're compelled to stay A lit
Gle corn was saved in some sections, but of
very interior quality. Plenty OF hay was
made, Of the best grade, 50 the stock will
at least have that much for support. But
as to the people? My informant makes
this statement:
Nearly every man is poor-very poor,
and great majority are ex soldiers of the
Union, with young families to support.
When the grzsshOppers took the crops we
did the best we could for the couliug win
ter. We went 10 the lakes and caught
barrels Of fish, but we did not have the
means TO properly care for them; SO they
spoiled Stock was sacrificed u the sharks
that iutest our section at the next TO moth
ing of q price, and many Of us have thu:
eaten up and worn out the horses anC
work cattle that had been our mainstay
We could buy no fuel, aud, when | left
twisted hay and rank reed-gra was tn,
only fuel nine tenths of the people wer'
using. Much sickness prevails, brough
on by long abstinence from wholesOm,
and nutritious food One family | know
of has the father down with the rheuma
tism, three out Of six children were dow
with the measles, while the mother wa
about worn down herself Corn meal
grated from frost bitten nubbins, was tn
only TODD in the house, ii the sod and boar
shauty may be called such. The peOpl
bear with each other, and mutually exten
aid us much as possible. One young ma
from Jasper County, who happens 10 be
good shot has valiautly taken upon bin
self the task Of keeping all invalid iamiiie
supplied with meat,-wild game, and th
NdN 1 ttlN UIDuluL , liut EE1N' dtlA huNh
to the family have meuti mel But tina
will soon end, with clld weather. G1
want to knDwwhat they need? They nee
everything fuel, clothing. and provisions
The women and children are sufferin
greatly already for the want of clothin
know of several women who died 50,
after giving birth to children because the
could MT have even tie common la
ury of a cup OF teA, ~ anything N
t-iuuus to aid them in rvgaiuii
strength, coupled Win the want
proper bed covering The most ofthe uou
ues can extend no aid Tor the reason tn
thieves hage been runnlug affairs and Ia,
stolen all, inst Is they did years ago
Clay County Many families will leave
foot. having sold their cattle and horses
Keep them alive. Some general way of r
heving those who must remain must be p
importation right away, else the first snap
cold weather will send many good ma
or woman, or child, to death-trJzen,
cause they will be so weak and emaciat
that they cannot stand the rigOrs ofwiut
even in its weak est. appearance,
The person who makes this statement
know 10 be reliable. Il will seen frCm tn
then, that aid cannot be sent too soon, a
that general plan Of relief must not
delayed longer than necessary,
Al SWAIN