The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-04-07
Sad Cases OF Irish Destituti0n.

The New York Tribune correspondent
sent to Ireland for the purpose of getting
at the facts in regard to the destitution
prevailing in that country, has received
the following letter from Rev. James
Stephens, parish priest at Killybegs.
county Donegal: May ask you to make
known to our American friends the mass
of misery and destitution that so exten-
siveIy pervades all parts of this parish.
have been the greater part of forty-six
years in the parish both as curate and
parish priest, and I have seen nothing to
approach the sad affliction with which
we are now visited.
Our country has been sinking fast into
a deep gulf for the last three years, out
of which no amount of private charity
will extricate it. The failure of the
crops for the past three years has caused
a deficit of some SITS, ,OOC 900, $50, O,0OO,-
600 of which is placed to the loss sus-
tanned by the failure of the potato crop.
The population comprises 3, l68 persons
equal to 600 families-principally small
farmers, one-half the number paying
under 500 rent and the others from 800
to $50 per annum. The quality of the
soil is poor.
There is no market for labor, and the
men are principally employed on the
scanty labor on their farms and in the
fisheries. We have no employment for
the women. Formerly every cottage had
its spinning wheel for making wooden
thread and linen yarn, and in most OF
the cottages there was a loom for the
weaving of cloth and linen. But this
important branch of industry has now
disappeared, owing to the introduction
of machinery, and the erection of lar &c
factories in cities. The looms have been
broken up for tirewood, our other m nu-
factures have been crushed out by par
tial legislation to favor England. Out
of q population of 600 families in this
parish, son families have received relief
from our committee for the last five
weeks. The poor people are plunge
into so much debt that no amount ol
public charity will apply sufficient
remedy.
Here are few instances of the misery
around us:
First-Edward Mcclure, Rescorkin,
has small patch ofground; fifty years O.
age, wife forty; six of a family; a bunch
| OF rags to cover them ut night; two
blocks of wood to sit on, and an ole
dresser form the entire stock of furni
ture; no fuel except few wet brambles
no food except what they received from
the relief committee.
Second-Phelim Gallagher. Roughra
ten of family; wife paralyzed for tht
last seven years small patch of noun
tain land no food, no fuel, no bedding
no clothing but old sacks.
Third-Micky O'Donnell, Gortnago
Ian, three of a family; wife has only al
old sack on her; no fuel, no food.
Fourth-Thomas Gallagher, Conlan
eleven of family, five Of them well
bass mats tied around them for cloth
ing, no fire, no bed but straw.
Fifth-Pat Gillespie, Carrickatugart
his wife and son, live in hut formerly
byre tor calves; entrance to it three fee
high, entire space within ten feet by min
feet; furniture consisting of ricket.
chair, no bed, no. bedding but som
straw scattered in corner. Their onl
property, tw o hens. Wife suffering fror
asthma and not capable of work.