The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1881-09-23
MICHIGAN,S CALAMITY.
Proclamation by the Governor Of
the State.
The following proclamation has been issued
by the Governor of Michigan:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
lansing, Mich, Sept. 10.


by the Governor of Michigan:
EXECUTIVE MANsIoN,l
Lansing, Mich, Sept. 10.
TO the People of the United States:
On the 18th inst, III behalf of the homeless
sufferers by the late fires in portion of our
State, we asked the people of this country to
contribute to their great distress Since that
time have visited the burned district and tra-
yersed great portion thereof, driving through
the ruins. The knowledge thus obtained satls-
fed me that the former estimate Of 200 persons
having persisted i'll the flames was correct. and
the further estimate that there are $4,000 of
these sufferers now dependent upon the gem
8erosity of the public was not exagger-
ated. The fire district covers a territory
of about 1900 square miles, about one
half of Which escaped the flames and the
other half is blackened waste, the destruc-
ton of property being pretty evenly distributed
over the whole territory. This is an agrfcult-
ural county, with occasionally village, or
small business center, where were Touring
mills, saw-mills, stores, churches, ETC., etc.
Many of these places and their industries were
wholly destroyed, and in the farming portions,
in the track OF the fire, nothing was left for
mans use but the land. Barns, cattle-shed5
and structures OF every kind that remain are
being utilized as temporary shelter for the
homeless Hospitals for the care of those who
suffer from burns are already established. They
are fairly supplied with volunteer physicians
and nurses. Among the latter are some good
Sisters of Charity who are doing most efficient
work. The exposed and Overcrowded condi-
ton in which thousands are now living will
necessarily increase the sickness and add to the
needs of medical treatment and provisions for
the care of the sick. Food is furnished by
those whose homes were spared and by those
outside of the burned district. There is little
suffering from hunger i'll the MAN. The want
nj 10 of
tress. Stations for the distribution of
I supplies are established at convenient
points and under the supervision OF
efficient individuals and committees. Careful
+ lists are being prepared by personal inyestiga-
ton of the loss of each family with data,
showing their necessities. These are to be
used to insure a judicious distribution of sup
plies. The whole work of those to whom the
contributions have been intrusted gives EVIL
dence OF having been inaugurated and con-
Quoted with care, skill and fidelity. In this
good work the people of Port Huron, from
their proximity to the scene Of disaster. were
first upon the ground, being represented by
committee composed Of some of the best citi-
Eens, prominent among whom was United
States Senator Omar D. Conger. By the ex-
ertions of this efficient organization, aided
by the managers Of the Port Huron
and Northwestern railroad, extra trains
with relief reached the sufferers before any
could come from more remote points In con-
junction with other organizations the work was
begun, and it is being prosecuted yet. Mostof
the people whose restitution appeals to the be-
nevOlence of the public are purely agricultur-
lists They were in thrifty condition, consid-
ering the time they had occupied these lands,
but had no accumulated surplus. They are de-
pendent upon the productions Of their farms
for support. There are few, if any, rnanufaet-
uring industries near them to give them en-
pIoyment. The aid extended to the unfort-
innate by those whose homes were
saved will soon exhaust the surplus Of the lat
ter What these people require Is aid to pro-
cure such necessities as will enable them to
live ana till their lands. They must have food
until the harYests Of 1882 are gathered. Any
thing short of this VIII fail to accomplish the
undertaking. The first effect Of this disaster
was to stupefy and paralyze the energies Of the
people. The prompt encouragement received
has stimulated them to new efforts to help
themselves. With the bare land and their
labor only left they will begin to build anew.
Already many are constructing log
houses, and every available team is be-
ing worked with yigor to put in wheat, the
seed for which is furnished by the relief COM
mittees. They appreciate their condition and
the necessity for labor, and viii struggle hard
to do their part as they have an opportunity L
have thought it due to the public who have
read the appeals heretofore made, to lay these
results of personal inspection before them.
The necessity for continued assistance to enable
the sufferers to 90 through the coming winter
and to become self-sustaining is in nowise
abated. The well-known generosity Of the
American people has never been invoked III
more meritS%Ogs cause.
\ 1SRoME. Governor.