The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-11-03
SUFFERING IN KANSAS.
Poverty and Distress-Fine Soil But
Poor Crops-An Appeal.
Evansville lind I0nrnal

HoDGEMAN CENTER, HoDGEMAN Co.,
KAs., Oct. 13.-A. L. Robinson, Evans
vile, Ind.-HoNoRED FR1END:-I am
now residing in Hodgeman County, Kas.,
to which place l emigrated about eighteen
months ago. This County has only been
settled about two and half years. We
are only under temporary organization
as yet. I think we have as fine soil as
can be found in any part of the Union,
but Notwithstanding this there is great
destitution and suffering among the set
tiers. Most of the people of this part are
persons of limited means, the majority
being soldiers who came here to get home
stead lands.
Now we have been visited by adrought
of about one year, so that there has been
nothing for the support of the people.
As to fodder for the stock, there has been
about enough raised, as we had some
rain in July and August; but the grain
and vegetable crop has been an entire
failure. We have about 1000 persons in
our county, and there is not more than
enough, all told, raised to support 100
persons and of the rest there is about
one-third who have means to support
themselves-the rest will have to have
aid from some source-and there are
those around me who are suffering every
day. Winter is fast coming on, and it
makes my heart bleed to see women and
children around me with but little to
eat, barefooted and half clothed Now,
in our township (of miles square, there
are about so of these destitute people,
about 30 of whom are colored, and the
rest white.
Now, on consulting with some of the
leading men of the county, it has been
thought best that a man OF, two in each
township write to some friends in towns
and cities, and ask that they make col
lections and send them, 50 that at least
! part Of this suffering may be avoided,
There are thousands of people in such
places as yours who wear clothes until
they are but little worn and then cast
them aside, who would gladly give them
to these sufferers if they knew of their
need, and they would alsogive new goods,
shoes, boots, and even many other things
that would be gladly and thankfully re-
ceived. There are also many .colored
people in your city that would give to
the colored sufferers.
Now, / knowing these facts, and also
your great benevolence, l select you as
the man in Evansville to do this favor
for those in need, and I hope to hear from
you. by return mail Now, if you will
comply with this request, you viii direct
any goods you may send to the Central
Aid Committee of Hodge,nan County,
kas., at Spearville, Kas., and also put
my name on the box. My name is Will
lam A. Agee, as you will remember.
am the son of the Rev. Alfred Agee, Of
Pike County, Ind. ] have been in your
Office many times.
You can not realize the amount of des
titution and suffering on the prairie
frontier in times of such extreme drought
though hope the prayers of suffering
fathers and mothers will be heard in be-
half of their families, and especially az
a majority OF the fathers have been thu
defenders Of our glorious old flag.
Hoping to hear from you soon, sub
: scribe myself your friend.
WILLIAM A. AGEE.
, Hodgeman Centre, Hodgeman Co., Kas
P. S.--Al goods sent to the Contra
Aid COMMITTEE of Hodgeman will b
sent free Of freight from Kansas City
Now, if you comply with our request
drop me line at once. w. A. A.