New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-26
THE KANSAS REFUGEES.
SAD CONDITION OF THE FREEDMEN.

SAD CONDITION OF THE FREEDMEN.
TALK WITH A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RELIEF
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS or THE EXoDUs-HELl
THAT Is NEEDED.
The condition Of the negro refugees IN
Kansas was described Yesterday to TRIBUNE reporter
by Mis- Elizabeth L. Comstock. Quakcress OF middie
age and of quiet earnest manners, who Is visiting New
York aud Northern cities In behalf OF the Kansas
Freedman's Relief Association. Mrs. Comstock Is al
" T. Motifs house. No. SO Iryng-pace, near
Egheenth-st where she VIII remain until the end oil
the present week. 10 any aid that may be offered
for the suffering refugees
81 have been for some months In Kansas" said Mrs
Comstock, distributing among these people large sup
plies OF bedding, clothing ard otter necessares con
signed TO my care There now over 10000 OF them
IN Kansas some desttution, and needing food
and shelter There is great deal of sickness among
Them The treasury OF the Association is empty. and
many persons have died for lack OF sufficient ana SUIT
able food, in sickness particularly The refugees are
scattered about In different parts Of the state; there are
5000 in the southeastern part who are the most dcst
tute now.
"Tbey tell ia Of feaciul barbaries IN the South that
made them seek refuge III Kansas Tie first the people
Of Kansas knew of the exodus was one morning when
they found that Missouri River steamer had landed
400 or l5OO Of the refugees on their banks In the
night. different points, the largest numter being at
Have these people earnestly tried to get work Z"
some have wa kod twenty. thirty and even forty
miles in quest OF II. Kansas Is new state WITHOUT
great population Many OF the farmers are poor having
had the grasshoppers and the droun t. contend with,
and they have able to employ refugees 10 any
great extent. Not single cOlored tramp was seen In
I Kansas all last winter. Only two cases are known OF
ctimes com these persons; only I'VE or SIX
cases drunk have come 10 our knOWehe@i auu
very little profanity Is heard They are tno most christ
Ike people In their disposition that nave ever met
wth-gentlc, foTDeaIing, meek, patient lOrgiVins ana
loug suffering.
AS to The causes OF the exodus: Some most atrociou
crimes committed against those colored people nave
come to our knowledge. Unfortunately we have only
negro testimony. For causes /! indeed thnN we can
best refer to A FOOLS Errand' by Judge Iohrgee IL
states matter truly The reports in tie papers o
ali exaggerated Governor John they cannot Oc
exaggerated. Every possible crime has beeu perpet
upon them, without any redress; They nave been
cruelty whipped, INITIATED hung and shOt, Tor nothing
not been known for many years as white man beng
punished by law for the murder OF colorcd man, al
though thousands OF blacks nave been murdered IL has
been threatened in many parts OF the SOUTH
Is well known, in Mississippi, Lou dou,'" IA
Republicans before election. Some Of the more intel
gent tell that there will be an uprising VI nearly
the whole cOlOre1 population TINS fa 10 come NOrJh
should ID mOcrdtc President be elected. No pans
ma We been taken by The Kansas people, politicians or
the assocaLion iluuce the refugees come North
indeed all that possible was done TO stop tnem
Jhey agents south TO try aud prevent tie ex
odus. but still the negroes come IN large NUMBERS. We
have succeeded IN getting few thousand OF them to
20 to Illinois, Nebraska and Iowa. Dut there are stl
over 40 900 In Kansas, two-thrts OF whom are utterly
desutute-as with large families, old and SICK
people. 49,. 49,. 49,, 81,
nad winter VIII be much greater than last year. and the
prospect Is appalling unless prompt aid can DC hau
lrom Northern and Eastern cities AID States"