Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1875-01-29
STARVING IN MINNESOTA.

We lNSClNSu SA'NS'eN' - '>'
days ago with request for publication
AN APPEAL FOR RELIEF FOR ROCK COUN-
TY, MINN.
The great destitution prevailing in this
county on account of the destruction OF
crops by grasshoppers, compels US to ap-
peal to those who are more fortunate, for
help for the suffering among us. This
county, situated in the Southwestern cor
ner of the State, is on the frontier. Prior
to 1872 it was chiefly wilderness. Its
settlers now numbering more than 7OO
families, are mostly homesteaders. Their
all was expended in reaching their new
homes, providing some kind of haoitation,
breaking few acres of prairie and making
n start. They have no resources except in
the produce of their farms. when their
crops fail all is gone. Nothing is left but
starvation if help from abroad cannot be
obtained. A large portion of the crop OF
1873 was destroyed by grasshoppers, but
enough was left the settlers, by mo-tgaging
their teams and the expected crop, to reach
the harvest of 1874. But just rs the first
ripe grain was beginning to fall by the
reaper, their fields were again visited by
the pest, against which no foresight could
provide and no industry repair. The grass
hoppers came in clouds, and the results OF
a years. hard toll, the sole dependence for
| living for hundreds of families, were con-
sumed as by fire. The destruction of corn
and vegetables was complete, and less than
one-third of the crop of wheat was saved
and this must be sold at the low price of SO
cents per bushel to satisfy the mortgages
given TO carry them over last year, although
it represents the last loaf of bread and the
last hushel Of seed of many a family. And
now we find ourselves in q condition that
is appalling. More than one-half of the
families in this country need assistance.
The wants of many are urgent and imme'
diate. The cold winter is upon them, theil
clothing and bedding are scant and worn
out they have 10 fuel but the wild hay o.
the prairie they are in want of food ; they
are in want of all those things that in Older
communities are called the necessaries o.
life; they are remote from Hallway com
munication. hence, but 4 meagre portion
of the generous contributions that havs
already been made has reached them, &
portion wholly inadequate to their wants
they cannot borrow of their neighbors fol
they are hundreds of miles from the re
gions Of abundant harvests ; they canno
go elsewhere for they have no means
wherewith to 90 4; they have no where elst
to 20 for this is their home. Although
they are in distress they are not discour
aged. ey believe that this scourge il
only temporary another invasion is no
anticipated. If The settlers can liv,
through the winter, and in the spring oh
tain seed, grain and feed for their teams
they will SOW wider breadth than eve
before, and, having soil of wonderful fer
tility, they expect TO reap harvest tha
will lift them out OF their present unfortu
nate condition. In behalf of these farnilie
who have been reduced to want and suffer
ing through no fault Of their own, we ap
peal to the generous of our own State an,
OF other localities to contribute something
to preserve their lives and relieve thei
sufferiugs. Contributions offood, clothing
boots and shoes, fuel, corn, &C., should b
directed to p. J. Kniss, Chairman of Roc
County Relief Committee, Lu Verne
MINI, via Worthington. Contribution
of money should be sent direct to him, a
Lu Verne, by draft, p. o. money order, o
registered letters, and they will be thank
fully received, promptly acknowledged, an
faithfully distributed.
Rock County Relief Committee--P. }
Kniss, W. o. Crawford, T. z. Grout.
County Commissioners-C. A. Reynolds
J. II. Furgeson, f. I. Sheldon.
Chairman Of the town boards of Super
visors-James Marshall, w. T. Brown,
Loveland, Nels jacobson, G. a. Reynold:
A. r. Ladd, James Mitchell, Seth Mitchell
Herman Obs.