The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-01-22

DEsr1rUTIoN IN MINNKsOTA.-Below
we present circular setting forth the fear
of Rock county, Minn., have been reduced,
and soliciting aid from the charitable Of
more favored localities. This is a direct APP
peal to the people o: this locality, and the
condition of things which calls it forth be-
ing one of peculiar hardship, inasnuch as
Minnesota has twice been devastated by the
same plague, we trust the appeal, which
speaks for itself, will not fall on unrespon-
sive ears Here is the appeal with accom-
panying letter:
LuvERKE, Rock Co.: Min=-l
Jan. IL, 1875. {
p. NJ. Ebensourg, Pa.-Dear Sir: We enclose
an appeal which we make in behalf OF our des-
titute citizens, with a request that you hand
one Of the circulars to your editor for publica-
ton, and have committee appointed to soicit
CONTRIBUTORS and forward to the undersigned,
who have been appointed a committee to dis
tribute the same. We have, as set forth in the
circular suffered terribly from the ravages of
the grssshoppers, and as yet have received no.
thing except from our own state, and the
amount is totally Inadequate to our needs.
Respectfully yours,
= - 20; ! s:;.s; Sss$ro"D, :s;s Co. Relief Com.
AN APPEAL FOR RELIEF FOR ROCK COUNTY,
MINNESOTA.
The great destitution prevailing in this coun-
ty, on account Of the destruction OF crops by
grasshoppers compels us to appeal to those
ing among rs. This county, situated in the
south western corner OF the state, is on the
frontier. Prior to 1872 it was chiefly a wilder
ness. It's settlers now. numbering more than
200 families. are mostly homesteaders. Their
all was expended in reaching their new homes,
providing some kind of habitation breaking IL
few acres OF prairie, and making start: They
their farms. When their crops fail all is gone
nothing is left but starvation If help from
abroad cannot be obtained. large portion of
tie crop of 1873 was destroyed by Rrasshoppers,
but enough was left to enable the settlers, by
mortgaging their teams aud the expected crop,
to reach the harvest of 1874. But just the
first ripe grain began to fall before the reaper.
their fields were again visited by the pests
whose rHvages no industry could repair. The
or ycar's hard % toll, the sole dependence for
living for hundreds OF families, were consumed
as by Ore The destruction OF corn oats and
third of the crop OF wheat was saved: and this
must be sold ut the low price OF so cents per
bushci to satisfy the mortgages given TO carry
them over last year. although it represents the
last loaf of bread and the last bushel OF seed
OF many a family. And now we find ourselves
In a condition that is really appalling. More
than one-h half the fs,nilie. in the county need
immediate. The cold winter is upon them;
their clothing and bedding is scant and worn
prairie they in want of food; they are in
want of all those things that in older commu-
remote from railway communication, and
hence but meager portion of the generous
contributions that have already been made
has reached thcm-a portion wholly inadequate
to their wants They cannot borrow of their
neighbOr for they are aundreds OF miles from
the region of abundant harvests- They cannot
go elsewhere. for they have no means where
with to go-they have nowhere else to go, for
this is their home Although they are in dis
tPess, they are not discouraged. They believe
that this scourge is OILY temporary; another
invasion by the grasshoppers is not anticipated.
III the settlers can 1.-Two through the wiutcr and
in the spring obtain seed grain and feed for
their teams, they " i'll SOW a wider breadth than
ever before, and, having q soil of wonderful
fertility, they expect to reap a harvest that
will lift them out of their prescnt unfortunate
condition. In behalf of these families who
have been reduced to want and suffering thro'
no fault OF their own, we appeal to the gencr-
Gus OF our own State and of other localities to
contribute something to preserve their lives
aud relieve their suffcr:ngs. Contributions of
food. ciOthinR, boots, Shoes, fuel. corn. onts,
ETC., should b0 directed to P. J. Kniss, Chair
man OF the Rock County ReGef Committee,
LuVerne, Mimi. via Worthington. ContrIbu-
tions of money should be sent direct to him at
LuV erne. by draft p. o. money order, o regis
tered letter and they will be thankfully re-
ceived, promptly acknowledged, and faithful
ly distributed.
Rock County Relief Committee-P. ]. h Miss,
w. o. Crawford, L. p. Grout.
County Com rnissionerS-C. A. Rey Otds, j. II.
Ferguson, K. II. Sheldon.
Chairmrn OF the Town Boards OF Supervisors
James Marshall. w. r. Brown, q. Loveiand,
Nels. jacobson. c. A. Reynolds, A. X. I4add, Jas.
Mitchell. Seth Mitchell, Herman Ohs.