The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-01-06
THE GRAssHOPPER PLAGUE.
An Army Oficer's Appeal for the People OF
u state on the Verge OF Starvation.

An Army Officer's Appeal for the People Of
State on the Verge OF Starvation.
There are 10000 people in the west
ern part of the State of Nebraska who
are reduced to the verge of starvation.
Nebraska, usually so prolific, has this
year met with sad mishap in the loss
by grasshoppers and drought of all the
crops grown in Dundy, Hitchcock, Cos
per, Boon, Furnas, Phelps, Greeley,
Howard, Sherman, and nearly all in
Franklin, Buffalo, Hall, Antelope, and
Butler counties. I lately travelled over
the devastated region, and found the in
habitants i'll a most deplorable condition,
Fully one-third were barefooted and
clothed in rags. There were no potatoes,
no corn, and but little shrivelled wheat.
Many of the families were living on small
pieces of black bread, parched wheat, or
melons and squashes. There was not
over ten days supply of food in any of
the counties. Three counties were with
out meat, and most of the inhabitants
had not tasted animal food for ix'weeks.
Unless we feed these people they will
certainly die of starvation. The State of
Nebraska is doing all it can, and although
rich in soil, it is too young and poor
financially to carry all these destitute
people through the winter. There are
as many rs 10000 In want, and at 81 per
head per month Ga low estimate) it will
require $40, 900 every thirty days to feed,
clothe, and warm these poor people. The
task is great one, but believe the gem
erosity of the people is equal to it. and
that they Will not permit any one to suf-
fer, much less die of starvation. Tie
sufferers are our frontiersmen, the
pioneers of the West, and we are all
interested in the settlement and develop
ment of that great country Generous
people of the East, the facts are before
You what will you do in the matter2
the case is urgent, and I pray youato, ldla
quickly what you do at all. These -peee
pie of the West should not be permitted
to starve or be driven from their beauti!p
full and fertile homes for the want Of
bread. !goraI c7,
A building on Broadway was to have
been obtained Saturday, but up to the
hour of writing this the gentlemen IN
charge of the matter have not reported
My instructions from the Nebraska Re-
lief and Aid Society are to establish a
branch or auxiliary Aid Society in New.
York city and until suitable building
can be had, the Relief rooms will. be at
81 Houston street. All packages, letters,
clothing, and stores should be addressed,
Nebraska Relief" Army Building, 81
Houston street. Persons wishing to give
clothing can send postal card, giving
street and fumber, and n wagon will call
for the packages.
JAMES 8. BRIsBIN, y. S. Army.
1t is the desire of Gen. Brisbin that
newspapers in the country copy the above
letter, and give notice that supplies of
clothing, meat, and groceries for the
Nebraska sufferers will be carried free
over the railroads. Apply for transpor-
tation, by letter or telegram, to Nebraska
Relief, 81 Houston street, New York.
All dispatches addressed to Gen. J. S.
Brisbin, Metropolitan Hotel, on account
of Nebraska relief, will come free from
the Western Union Telegraph lines.