Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-11-20
The pestituti0n In the GrasshOpper Regions o
MinnesOts An Appeal for Aid.
JACKSON, MIMI, Nov.
IT. tba Edito, rf fba t,-,o H.. 80 4 r,;,,o.

| JACKSON, Mlnn., NOV. y.
To the Editor Of the Free Press aud Times,
Will you be kind enough to publish the
accompanying letter, published in the
Springfield Republican week ago, and call
particular attention to the matter.
failed in that letter to show the ;ircum-
stances of the people a. bad rs they really
are. Many families arc now receiving aid
and must have it all winter. Work is net
to be had, and there is rot food ior half of
the people in the county 1t must be brought
in from the more favored regions yet the
greatest need we have is of clothing and
bedding, i. e., sheets, quilts and blankets
With so short an allowance of food, poor
houses, and with wood to be drawn, in
many cases fifteen miles, or hay to be burned,
coarse swamp grass being used by many
iamilies,) it can not but be plain that, if to
these we add almost nGkedaess. much suffer
ing must result.
Our county suffered rom hail and other
storms IN -, grasshOr ers in '73, and the
same fourlold the past season. Imagine a
county embracing eight or nine hundred
families, and in the county not two wagon
loads, in all of cabbagcs, beets, onions and
carrots; with less than twenty-five bushels
Of potatoes to an average sized family. And
to this add a few such cases as these one
mother told me they threshed four bushels
of small grain, and they had not corn
rfrb n boo
were in this family seven children, the old
est OF but fifteen years two little girls of
this family had for clothes shcrt pctticoat
and cotton waist each Of them-this and /
nothing more. Another family have in mind, |
the mother sick, for ten months not doing a
particle of work, and the clothes worn by .
four Of the children, altogether, would /
not afford mop cloths good enough for .
an average Vermont housekeeper But /
why give instances, when can say with all .
truth, the clothing in the homes in this
county is not one sixth what it ought to
be
May | not also add a suggestion that
some one in each of the churches. each of the
hotels, some one on each street. or in the
smaller villages, take it upon themselves to
collect say collect, for feel sure YER
monters will eiye-such articles Of clothing
and bedding and money as may be offered;
and having them collected. let large pack
ages be shipped. rather than many small
ones. Do not think that some one else may
do it. Cannot some Of you spend dav. or
even two, toward aiding in the relief we
need We have thought of sending some
person to the East to personally present our
ease. but none Of u, can afford the money.
Do any Of you ask, "Why will You stay
there 1t is oar home. and as beautiful
and healthful a country as there Is. but
which has been for time unfortunate. and
/ TX in return. where will We co.
VIII not the Montpelier, St Adams, Rlt-
land, and other State papers copy SO much
of this as may be necessary, and urge that
at least a good box be shipped from the
larger towns. and such money scntas may he
BE sure that there Is enough 10
pay tie freight, and also be sure that no ar
tice not worth the freight be sent. Re-
ceipt= Will be sent for articles received.
Lastly, be not afraid that too much will be
sent. as the adjoining counties are also
needy. +. J.. BRowxELL