Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-01-20
Letter irom the GrasshOpper RegIOn.
Seward county, Nebraska,
January .. 1875.

MuFoBp, Seward county, Nebraska,
January ., 1916
Wssrs EdiioiS-l have ct last arrived ia Ne.
braska and will now fulfil my promise Of writ
ing % sou. But the necessities Of this community
will claim my frst attention
am now ia the grasshopper region, and have
passed over many large fields Of corn, from which
not bushcl was gathered The grasshoppers
frst made their appearance in Seward county,
July 10, when all the crops, potatoes excepted,
promised we'll About one oclock, the people OBJ
served a cloud coming, and thought there would
be a shower; but while they stood gazing, there
was a sound like the rushing Of mighty waters"
and the grsshoppen lighted in such mutitudes
that the ground Was covered. The stalks and
leaves of corn were so filed with them that they
would be climbing over each other and 50 load
down the leaves Of corn that they would hang
down beside the stalk like palsed arm The
noise was loud which the millions OF ginsshoppers
made while deyouHng the hopes Of the farmer,
They doyoured corn, oats, wheat, potato tops,
peaches, and almost every green thing When
they would leave the peach trees there would be
left the limbs and the peaeh-stones stu hanging
When one hungry swarm had made their morn
Tags repast, or noontide meal, and left another
hungry swarm would light and gather up the
fragments. And notwithstanding the multitude
Of grasshoppers ON the ground there was little
seeming diminution Of those in the air.
The crops generally raised are wheat, corn, oats,
and few potatoes. The corn and potatoes are
failure aud there was only about half n crop Of
wheat Many Of the late settlers relied upon the
com crop to fattcn a few hogs. The corn failed,
and the hogs were sold to spectators, who were
about as heartloss as the grasshopper, This class
of iarmors had To sell their teams and farming
tools TO get the necessaries Of life for all man
has he will sell to save his wife and children from
starvation. All this class of men had did not sus-
tain them long for such property sells at a low
figure Those who have small crop of wheat
must rely upon this to feed their horses and sus-
tain THEN families
Taxes must be paid and debts liqudnted out Of
this short crop Creditors generally compel those
who have any means Ia pay their bills, often tax
ing all the law will allow them, without reference
to the wants of the family. Those who have
teams or are willing TO labor, can find nothing to
do for there is little for farmers 10 do in the winter
The counties In which theIe is suffering have
been canNassed 10 ascertain the amount of suffer
thg-and the population, more or less In want
amounts To twenty thousand, large portion Of
whom must starye II they are not supplied There
has been large amount OF clothing sent but
much Of Il has been so worn that II will last but a.
itile while Boots and shoes are wanting Could
'N'0V ~ NhlHhhti uNllI III thclf comfortable,
warm houses, enter the turf-houses and dug-outs
or caves, and see some New England mother
pushing for shame because her rags will scarcely
nae her nakedness, and destitute Of shoes while
the children were in worse condition and asking
loI bread which could be furnished them only in
slnhll quantities they would see only that which
~ Irue mere IN multitudes of instances.
lhe nehevoenee Of those who have done much
lutnshed only partial supply and when tho
poo, ihall VINO was expecting 10 obtain something
Tor ms suffering family, had gone 10 the place Of
delivery, There was so little received that Il wonld
scarcely pay him for his trouble 1t is expected
that when government supplies shall reach them
the wants of the poor will he better supplied
Hut there Is much In the future which looLs
ominous. Seed Is wanting and much must he
furnished or the suffering will not end with tho
harvest next season. But some will say, Why do
not these people 60 to work? There are none Ia
employ them; and few II they wished for helm
have anything 10 pay. There is, therefore. moth.
ing they can do but to hunt. All the larger game
has gone south and the smaller yields but
scanty supply.
II any Of yonr wealthy readers will supply me
with funds, such as will purchase boots and Shoes,
| will pledge myself 10 bestow their benefits with
out charge, aud 10 those who are needy
Yours, HORACE IIERRIcK