The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-25
RETURNED FROM TIE RIVER
The Relief Committee Completes the
Distribution of its Supplies.
Governor POrter's Opinion as to the Best
Disposition to be Made of the
Residue of the Money.


The expedition of the indianapolis relief com
mittee down the Ohio river is ended Shawnee
town, the destination was reached on Friday
evening, and the remaining supply of provisions
is being distributed under the direction of Mr..
W. P. Gallup, who accompanied the City of
Frankfort the steamer chartered for the expedi-
ton, on the return trip to Madison. The other
members of the party left the boat at Evans
vile and returned to indianapolis on Saturday
evening.
In speaking of the aid which would be of most
benefit to those who have suffered from the flood.
Governor Porter said to the journal representa-
tive Il think that all moneys hereafter contrib
uted for the relief of the flood sufferers should
be applied to making habitable the dwellings of
poor people who have suffered by the food,
and to the purchase of farming implements
for needy people where the implements
have been lost by the barns or other
places in which they were placed having
been washed away Sufficient money has been
raised by the relief committees and more than
sufficient, along with the United States appro-
priation, for the purchase of food and clothing
Whatever surplus is left in the hands of relief
committees should be applied to repairing and
in such cases as have named. The money used
in this way last year applied most usefully
1t revived hope and courage, and stimulated in
dustry. Since last year, working people whose
houses were removed from their foundations
and greatly damaged have not been
able to accumulate means enough now to
place and repair them. Help given them will
inspire them with new energy, and will, sooner
than anything else, remove the necessity for
any other kind of help. Every dollar in the
hands of relief committees that can be thus used
should be applied in this manner. Every dollar
that has been sent to me will be applied in this
manner, and wish had in my hands for that
purpose many times much as | have"
The work Of the indianapolis relief committee
thorough, and it is believed that there is not
a person living along the Ohio river who was
even likely to need food before the fall of the
water that was not given aid. The gentlemen
composing the committee which went on the ex-
petition formed a very congenial party. Colonel
Closer, the embodiment of urbanity and ubiquity,
whose capillary complexion, gave him the soubri
quet of 1.-THE Silver Gray" distinguished himself
as the gallant of the party, and from Madison
down to Shawneetown there are fair ones who
will yearn for the return of the flood if it will
bring Colonel Closer with it. l. S. Gordon, who
started from Madison with the party, but was
called home when the boat reached Jefferson
vile, was following close the lead of
Closer, and would have made a formida
bic rival w. p Gallup, the Commodore, who
was in full command of the whole fleet, permit
leu nOlilQg TO escape MS eye during Ine WnOle
expedition, and it may be remarked here, for
the information of the unsuspecting, that Com
modore Gallup is not the ditfident, bashfui
bachelor that he sometimes seems He was in
continual agony during the trip for fear that
some one in need would be passed, and he
is individually entitled to whatever credit
there is in the expedition. for no man had its
object more at heart Mayor McMaster and Col.
Eli Lilly, who directed the distribution of sup
plies did more than their share of work, and, if
a vote of thanks is to be given for the services
rendered, their names will properly belong close
to the first, in the order named, and as
a mark of deserved distinction should be
printed i'll big type, with a border
around them. Dan Ransdell and Ross Hawkins,
a twain of We rsatile accomplishments like all
things of creation, had their uses. They are
both good ral-purpose men and are fully
equal to any occasion that arises. There is the
making of good steamboat mate in Ransdell,
and Hawkins, as man 'of the people and for
the people" if the people are with u.s. is, in the
idiom of his own select circle, mo
gutter" DIR. Elder and DR.. Waterman
were much respected on the
boat, for reasons which it would be embarras
sing to the party to attempt to explain J. B.
Dill, who had charge of the dispensary, had lit
tie to do in professional way, but he made
record as sleeping less ana making more noise
than any other person on board. Worth
Merritt, whose name is a fitting one.
made himself generally agreeable and
was a valuable member of the party,
The mission of Bruce Carr was to be Bruce Carr,
socially, andi a business way to distribute the
funds contributed by the Masons. DR..
Collett, the State Geologist had a scien
tifc purpose, but he kept it securely
buttoned within his vest. The dignity of the
party has centered in Governor Porter whom
the Evansville Journal speaks of as the Governor
who will rank in Indiana history beside Governor
Morton He accompanied the party as far as
Mount Vernon where he was the guest of the
Owen family, and from there returned to Indi-
annapolis by rail on Friday night.
The work of the relief committee is about
over. and no more subscriptions are solicited.
The following sums were received by William
II. Smythe, grand secretary, of the Masonic
lodges, on Saturday: Sum heretofore reported,
So 115.9 SO; Cambridge Chapter, No. 9, Cambridge
Git, $40; Kewanna Lodge, No, 54G, Kewanna,
River Lodge, No. $40. South Whitley $40;
Middlefork Lodge. No 3O4. Middlefork $40;
W. H. Weaver of Wild Cat, So; Westport
Lodge, No So Westport, $40; Centennial
Lodge, No. SAL, Brazil, $40; Pierceten Lodge,
No 81 Pierceton,o s.; Newman Lodge, No.
5l5, Churubusco, So; Minerva Chapter, No Is,
Order of the Eastern Star, of Greencastle, $15
total receipts to date, So, 232. Sc
Secretary Foster, Grand Lodge l. o. o. F.,
received contributions Saturday, as follows:
Lafayette Lodge, No. 15 $75; Ko1omo, No 1888
No. 49, $25; Winamac, No. 1853, $50; Fairview
Ne. 134, $40; Linden, No. 1893, $40; Holton, No
pa; SO: Waveland No. PIT, $40; Mt Etna, No.
304; $40; Cordovia, No. 589, So; Independence,
No. 428, Rigdon, S.; Laughrey Valley, No. BAG,
So; Penn. No. 30, Brookville, So; A. NJ. Tucker,
of No. 80, So; Concordia, No. 22S, Fort Wayne,
So; Mrs Mary A. Sharp, Waveland, 81. Total,
$239.
Total contributions from lodges, encampments
aud members, to date, So 6Sl33.