The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-12-14
AN APPEAL FOB HELP.
sevaral Thousand Persons in South.
western Kansas Suffering for
Food and Clothing

W6Sk8IU 0dk1eoo 0A00& no ave
Food and Clothing
Industrious People Reduced In A Day
From Independence to WANT
Facts Concerning The Cause
and Consequences OF the
Calamity.
The region known as the Arkansas Val
lev in Southwestern Kansas, including sew
eral large and fertile counties,was entirely
unknown to the public five years since, and
nothing, but few sod shanties and SCAT
tering sod corn patches indicated the COM
mencemeat of settlements prior to the coz
struction of the Atchinson, Topeka 4 San
IA Fe Railroad, three years since.
The county of Reno is two hundred miles
from the Missouri river, which forms the
Northwestern boundary of the state OF
Kansas: and seventy miles from the In.
dian Territory on the South The size OF
the county is 30 by Y miles, containing
sIS. 400 acres Of land. The county is well
watered by the Arkansas river, Little Ar
kansas, Minnesota, Cow creek, Salt creek
and numerous tributary streams, ted by
never failing springs. The soil is deep and
fertile. and has uniformly produced good
crops, excepting only the destruction By
crasshoppers this year. These facts are
mentioned to show that your aid is not So
lirited to assist settlers to remain IN a
worthless country. but that hard working,
honest people, who are in no sense beggars,
are suddenly overcome by an unforeseen
calamity. The climate is mild and healthy,
and the settlement of Reno county has
been extremely rapid.
The first settlers located in 1871. In
Nav 1873 the official census taken by the
Assessors, showed population of 1909.
In Nav 1874 the same reports showed :
os4 The number of acres plowed in 1878
was about $4,000. In 1874 the assessors
reported 81, 200 acres 4 large proportion
Of the latter area, however, was prairie SOD,
broken late and not planted.
Tn TO July 9th, ls74. the prosperity OF
the county was something unprecedented.
Hutchinson, the county seat, was lmprov-
ing rapidly and several brick bushes;
honses were lust commenced. The limiteC
area of wheat, oats, rye. barley and nay
had been harvested, yielding well:
The corn crop was very promising ant
all looked bright for the country, when sud
ueUly inc aPpS". SN =" "N~
numbers as to destroy corn and most veg
etables in "a few days At first the peopl
in town and country we're overwhelmed b
the calamity. The impulse was to stop a
improvements, and in many instances
leave the country. But a second Sobt
tbuqht prevailed. The grass was unir
iured, aud those who had means at one
determined to SOW winter wheat III
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fc Ralroa
company, with great liberali.y, offered
furnish seed wheat to the destitute Q
credit. The offer was accepted by man.
indeed all who could obtain seed in time
sow it. 1t almost uniformly looks wei
equang, in the opinion OF the tarmers,tl
promise Of the best season III any otht
wheat region The business men Of tn
town continued the employment of as mah
mechanics and Iabarcrs in building, as pc
sible. aud all who had any re er undS,'
friends upon whom they could call in tt
east. obtained what would take the
through the winter
We have invested our little all in tn
county because we have faith in it. HUI
dreds of families are on homestead claim
the majority Of them soldiers and not
few soldiers widows, trying to endure til
priyaticns of frontier life, that they ma
avail themselves Of the bounty of govern
ment and secure home for their it'll
ones. Having once filed on "a homestea
all right to enter upon another homestea
at any future time is forfeited Whefhe
the title to the claim is perfected or not.
1t is therefore but reasonable that non
should leave this last chance Tor Il home
unless driven by absolute starvation.
MANY indeed have left the county to vii
ter with eastern friends, hoping that the
claims will not be moested but in gencr
when family are SO reduced as to need
leave the county, they are absolutely un
BILE to DO SO.
1t has been determined by the govern'
and State Relief Committee that all di
bursments shall be made by the coun
authorities Of the destitute counties,
they are presumed to have superior taci
ties for ascertaining the necessities of Il
people to whom they are officially respo
sible.
This county has already voted f
thousand dollars besides the regular pt
fund tax, and are now supplying a lar
number Of families bnt our funds "
soon be entirely exhausted. Meantime Il
number of our needy persons is on the i
crease, as none apply for help until Il
last extremity. Seed must be furnisht
for the spring crops and help afforded Il
til the harvest
We intended to care for ourselves wit
out asking for assistance from abroad, b,
We find it impossible.
At least 1000 people in this county, ar
half as many more in newer and sparse
settled counties, which have no O
CARNATIONS for help, are looking to us fl
aid.
1t seems unnecessary to add a word
the plain facts.
Chicago, Memphis, Louisiana, Mill Riv
and other examples occur to the reade
A liberal country has ever generously +
sponded TO calls for help from whatev,
quarter. In the name OF a common HI
manity We now inploIe aid, whether
large or small sums.
We need clothing, under clothing, stool
ings, boots and shoes.
These will be dlsbursed by the Ladie
Relief Committee, who have already a
sisted over 100 families, and who act
conjunction with the township trustees
the towns in which they reside. Secol
hand clothing is very acceptable.
We need food. which will be disburs
by the County Commissioners through Z
township trustees and overseers of t
poor.
We need money, which will procure,
this place, everything required, and it
absolutely necessary to procure medicin,
fuel. etc.