St. Landry democrat., 1882-02-18
Am Appeal for Aid.
SHOCKING CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE
IN NORTHERN LOUISIANA, OWING
TO FAILURE OF THE CROPS.
EIGHTY THOUSAND PERSONS REPREsEN-
TED TO BE SUFFERING FOR THE NE
CESsITIES OF LIFE.
THE GOVERNOR APPEALED TO AND THE
GENERAL GOVERNMENT CALLED ON
FOR RATIONs OF CORN MEAL
AND MEAT.

AND MEAT.
COLUMBIA, La, February 3, 1882.
Az an lmprOmptu meeting OF the cltl-
zens Of Caldwell parish, held and or
ganized at the Courthouse of this date.
Hon. r. d. Bridger was elected chair
man, and j. G. Hiner secretary OF the
meeting.
The objects of the meeting were ex-
planned by the Hon. A. w. Faulkner.
The following preamble and resolu-
tlOns were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, the unprecedented drouth
of last summer and fall, causing fail
ure IN making corn, potatoes, peas and
even grass, and a very short crop OF
cotton, has brought about a state OF al
most universal destitution and want
upon the community of this and ad-
joining parishes and
Whereas, there are unfortunately but
few merchants, or hardly a man of
means, to furnish money or supplies,
even in any partial sense, to satisfy the
destitution and want of the people;
that to-day nineteen-twentieths OF the
people, including both colors and classes
of our citizens, have not grain OF corn
TO feed their starving teams, no bread,
40 credit and nOaCtere to 80, and nothing
at fAast two months in the hill portion
of Shis and adjoining parishes, because
of an entire failure of mast, and no
grain from the effects of the summer
and fall months; and
Whereas, this condition of destitu-
tion and want has not arisen from any
fault or neglect of the farming and
iaboring community, but from the ac-
ton OF the elements and providential
circumstances and contingencies; there
tore, the promptings of a common hu-
manity dictate that aid and sympathy
should be afforded to arrest the. dire
calamity of utter want and probable
starvation Of large part of the popu-
lation of North Louisiana; and
Whereas, we deem that the present
destitution and want OF SO large ,por-
tion OF such an important class of our
fellow-citizens, challenges the attention
and should command the aid of govern
,nent to afford the aid that will avert
the calamity which is in the near future,
and already looming up; be it there
fore
Resolved, That the Governor of the
State be requested to present these
facts to the authorities at Washington ;
and to lay the same before them and
TO call the attention of our Senators
and Representatives in Congress to
them, to the end that immediate and
adequate relief may be afforded.
Be it further resolved, That the
Governor OF the State be requested
and is hereby petitioned to make out
a requisition for rations on the Secre-
cary of War for $4,000 people for four
months for the parishes OF Ouacita,
Richland, Franklin, Caldwell, Catahou-
A., nf Tacl--
son and Concordia, should the applica-
ton for relief be afforded and con-
ferred.
Be it further noticed and known,
that to-day this portion of our State is
being Overflowed, the water now cover
ing the lands on and adjacent to the
rivers OF Ouchita, Red, Black, Tensas,
Boeuf and Little rivers.
The stock, as well as people, are suf-
fering from starvation and overflow,
the rain having been constant for the
last four weeks.
Resolved, That we recognize the
iberality of the merchants Of Colum-
bia and vicinity in doing and extend
ing all the relief to the people in their
power, but their efforts are wholly in
adequate to the necessity of the case.
Be it further resolved, That we ask
nothing Tor Une people DuG corn Meal
and meat from the government.
Be it further resolved, That the Hon.
A. w. Faulkner be requested to pre-
sent these resolutions to the Governor
of the State, and to urge upon him
such action as may be necessary and
proper.
Be it further resolved, That copy
of these resolutions be forwarded to
TO the Monroe Bulletin, Ouachita Tele-
graph and the Columbia Herald for
publication also to the Times-Demo-
crat and the Daily States.
r. D. BRIDGER,
!. C.. HINER, Secretary. Chairman.