Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-03-25
DISTRESS AT AUSTIN.
A Committee from Tunica Now
Here.

The following action Of leading citi-
zens of Austin, Mississippi, and its
vicinity exhibits a startling condition
Of affairs in that region. The gentle
men appointed to promulgate the res
olufions are now in this city, and will
doubtless give names Of the many suf-
ferers, as well as extended details of
the condition of the people they repre-
sent, La:k Of space prevents further
comment to-day.
AT a meeting Of the citizens of
Tunica county, Mississippi, held at
Austin on Friday, March "a, 1882,
DR.. R. w. Owens was called to the
Chair and Dr.. John A. Southworth
was requested to act as Secretary, and
passed the following resolutions
Resolved, Thata committee Of three
DO appointed to proceed to Memphis
Immediately to request and urge upon
Colonel Hemmingway, the United
States authorities, or any other per.
sons disposed to aid us, the immediate
necessity Of relief being furnished the
people of this portion Of our county.
Resolved, That the amount Of sup
plies heretofore furnished us hereto
fore has been entirely inadequate
that many who are suffering have
received no relief at all, and all who
have received anything have been but
poorly supplied.
Resolved, That the suffering re-
ported by the newspapers falls far
short of the actual distress now exist
ing.
Resolved, That unless relief is soon
furnished many will starve to death /;
that they are on the verge of starva-
ton now.
Resolved, That a little timely as
sistance will save from starvation
many horses, mules and cattle of
all descriptions, which are confined
upon short strips of the levee
without any food at all. Many have
already died, and are dying every day.
Unless relief is soon furnished all in
this condition will die in short time,
from starvation, and we earnestly
urge and beg those, who are living out
Of the water, and have all the comforts
of life around them, to pity the con
dition of those we come to represent,
and give from your bountiful store,
small quantity, to relieve from starva-
ton, both the human and the beast,
who relies upon man for his proven.
der.
Resolved, That newspapers which
represent that aid is not needed in this
overhowed district, are guilty of con-
duct that is inhuman in the extreme.
Resolved, That steamboats, be re-
quested to furnish transportation fire. e
to the three composing the Committee,
who have so kindly consented to place
our situation before the public.
Resolved, j. G. Evans, u. T. White
and W. r. @. Lyons, be approved the
Committee to 60 to Memphis, aud
they are requested and urged to rep
resent to the good people Of Memphis,
the suffering condition of the people of
this county.
Resolved, That the newspapers of
Memphis be requested to publish
these proceedings free of charge.
r. w. OWEN, Chairman.
j. H. SoUTHwoRTH, Secretary.
Citizens Of Memphis
We will remain in your city till
Monday evening next, at which time
we will leave for Austin on the Goa
homa, and we appeal to you to aid the
sufferers we have come to represent,
amounting to at least 5000 persons.
Give us something for them, if it is
only the widows mite" Meal, -four,
meat, SALT corn. hay or oats is what
is most needed; give something, if only
one pound.
Our headquarters will be on board
the steamer Ooahoms, where We will
receive and receipt for all supplies
sent. Deliver your donation, what
evertit may be (and do not let us re-
turn empty handed), by 3 o'clock
Monday evening next.
The Committee ask nothing for
themselves, but only those they rep
resent--a starving people. N
J.U. EVANS,
.sv o. T. WHITE,
agr w. r. Q. 'LYoNs,
.ahig d.rw ot Committee.