The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1874-12-02
Can.rd Contradicted.

DEAIhlCE, ANcU NV. ~, AOS1.
To the Editor of the Inter-Ocean:
The very distressing account recent
~ published in the st. Joseph (Mo.)
Herald, and copied extensively in
other papers, of the burning to death
of the wife and two children of VIM.
S. Herndon, "a we'll known farmer"
as the writer says, of Gage county,
Neb., is so ridiculously false and alb
surd that denial of it seems almost
superfuous But it may be a satisfac-
ton to your readers, some OF whom
may credit the story. to know that
there is not word of truth in it. No
man by that name is known in this
county, and no sweeping prairie fire
has occurred here this fall. The
whole story was conceived in the fer
tile Imagination of the writer, who
has, of course, no scruples about
slandering Nebraska. Unfortunately,
the condition of the people in our
frontier counties gives occasion for
too many painful and distressing
stories of privation and suffering. Our
Affections, Mr.. editor, are severe
enough without being intensified by
exaggerated stories and falsehood.
But thanks to a generous and noble
philanthropy, the suffering that
would have been inevitable in the
counties alluded to will, no doubt, be
entirely prevented by the supplies
that are going forward.
There is no denying the fact that
our Western neighbors would have
.,,1o-al loo&l ,o+roI CT N
but for the timely aid that has been
rendered to prevent such a terrible
calamity. Agents fully authorized
and accredited by the county authori-
ties of the western counties of both
Kansas and Nebraska, bordering on
the Republican River, are canvassing
the eastern part OF this State to SECURE
aid for their suffering and starving
friends. To all such calls our people
are responding with commendable
liberality. But the grasshoppers de-
stroyed the corn crop here, and vege
tables also, and we have nothing to
send them but wheat. The farmers
Of this county are, however, doing
nobly. And the ladies of this little
city are giving festivals for the bene
fit of the sufferers. About 500 was
raised at one of these festivals-"grass-
hopper festivals" as they are called-a
few nights ago, and still the work
goes on. Thus it will be seen that
this portion of Nebraska has an
abundance, and to spare. Small grain
crops have never been known to fail
entirely in this section of the State,
nor have the grasshoppers ever de-
stroyed these crops, hence our farm
ers have no apprehensions that this
scourge" will interfere with small
grain next spring. The ''hoppers' y
did not deposit their eggs here, and
those who contemplate making homes
in Nebraska need have no fears on
this score, and need not stay away on
this account. Eight years ago they
made their appearance here in greater
numbers-so say old settlers-than
this year, and they remained longer
in the fall, but no damage was done
the spring following by them. For
eight years the country did not suffer
visitation from these pests, and they
may never make their appearance
here again; for as the country becomes
improved from year to year the danger
grows less. To those, then, who want
to come to Nebraska no better time
could be chosen.
Lands are cheap, cheaper than they
will be after another crop is raised
A word to the wise on this point is
sufficient. In another letter / will
say something about this section oil
the State, and Gage county particular
ly, as to it's advantages for settlement
merely observing now that more
beautiful country, possessing more
natural advantages in soil, climate
etc., cannot we'll be found On thi.
continent. w. FL. SOMERs.