The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-08-24
A PitiQbIe Tale

New York, Aug. 23.-Sixty.seven Russian
emigrants arrived here on Friday from Bra.
I'll, being all that remained Of $50 who left
Russia early in 1877 to find homes in Brtzil
They are mostly natives of the colony of
Grof Simrisch, Russia, where they were en-
gagged in farming. They were induced to
emigrate by agents who pictured Brazil to
them as paradise where, with little labor
they might accumulate wealth, and which
had many charms compared to their wintry
cline. A free choice of the best land was
promised them, and i! was also declared that
the Brazilian government would pay all ex-
penses Of the land and the costly journey.
On January rs, 1879, they landed at An
TONNE Province at the port Of Barraaa, t 70
aged people and thirty-two children having
died on the passage from the excessive heat
of climate, SO different from their own. They
had to pay all their expenses which made
serious iuroads into the means of some Of
them. After several days they were
sent to The village Of Palmyra Here
land was allotted them in suhcien! quAn.
tie. and the cJlonists enIeayored with energy
to make new home in this strange, wild
country. The government gave them seed,
and they planted wheat, corn and beans.
Th y bUuglt horses and agricultural imple-
ments wiz their own money, and built
houses. The heat, however, was intense and
blasting. The seeds sprouted, bat were
scorched before they grew more than two
inches through the parched earth, and all
their crops failed. Sickness appeared am ng
them, add the women and children died.
Another attempt to raise foot WAS made,
and another failure was the result. By this
time the money Of a majority OF them had
been exhausted, and the few who had some
means started for the coast and managed to
return to Eur pc. Being unable to grow
anything for food, the government WAS APP
piled to and they were assisted, but many
suffered greatly the rations not being srf-
fcent for the large families. The col
onists remained at Palmyra for year.
| Then the government selected another spot
in the forest, less exposed TO the heat, where
they were quartered and were once more pro-
to begin over again. But
the jungle did not take kindly to cultivation
and the crops again failed. After being six
months here, the poor colonists, whose
means were fast melting away under the
deadly inf 'ence of malaria and heat, re-
moved to the city of Baranqua. Here the
men were employed by the government in
repairing the streets, but they were paid only
one and half melreys per day, such not be-
ing sufficient for the support of their fami
lies. After weeks Of suffering the govern
ment, against their wishes caused their re-
moval to the village of Para, Dubshia. For
five months and eighteen days they Struggled
along in Il last effort to make the earth yeld
them living, but with the same i'll success
which attended them from the first. At their
urgent request the Brs lillian officials then al-
lowed them to go back to Rio where, after
remaining six days longer, they learned with
great joy that they were to be sent home
They embarked from Rio July %, on the
Syriu', and landed on Friday evening. AS
the unfortunate party sat huddled to-
gather at Castle Garden yesterday,
they pretented woe-begone aspect.
and the story of their suffering was written
on their wasted features. Five families are
entirely destitute, having not one cent to
purchase food. The remainder by putting
their little boards together, can subsst for ten
days or two weeks. They have thrown them
selves upon the generosity of the emigration
commissions, and their immediate wants
have all been provided for. Efforts viii now
be made to procure them employment after
they have recovered from the effects of their |
hardships. With few exceptions, they de-
sire to remain in this country, believing that |
their prospects will be brighter here than if |
they urn to Russia without money.
Homes in the northwest will be sought for
Them The men are naturally hardy and Wig
orous, and after they recover their health will
be able to W rk on farms, for which they are
well traixed.