The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-18
MADISON TO JEFFERsONvILLE.
Relief Work of the indianapolis Board of
Trade Steamer City of Frankfort
@c In In,I

Relief Work of the indianapolis Board of
Trade Steamer City of Frankfort
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
JEFFERsoNvILLE, Feb. 1.-THE relief steam
er, CITY of Frankfort" sent out by the Indian
apols Board Of Trade reached here this even
ing at $50 o'clock. On account of having to
await the return from the up-river expedition
of the Little Sandy" the Frankfort was de-
layed in its departure from Madison until this
morning at 10 o'clock. 1t made slow progress, on
account of the frequent stops that
were made to give aid to the
farmers along the river, until Westport,
KY, was reached where the government relief
steamer Reindeer, sent out from Louisville on
Saturday, was met. AS the Reindeer had sup
piled the needs of all the destitute ON both sides
of the river up to Westport, the trip from that
point down to this city was made in a little more
than two hours, only two stops being made.
Before the departure of the Frankfort from
Madison a visit was made by several members of
the relief committee and Journal repre-
sentative to the little town of Milton,
on the opposite side of the river, under the
guidance of j. C. Abbott, captain of the ferry
boat which runs between the two points The
village, which has population of about $50 in
habitants, is completely submerged, only one
house being above water. The ferry boat CON
tanning the party was run through the main
thoroughfare in the village, which was given the
name, year ago, Of Bennettavenue as testimo-
nial of the gratitude of its citizens to James
Gordon Bennett, who gave 81, 500 for the relief
of the inhabitants of the place from their distress
during the flood in 1888. A few families are
living in the second stories of the buildings, the
white people and the negroes sharing in common
their crowded quarters But the majority of
those driven from their homes by the rise
of the waters are back on the hills living in
sheds and stables, while many of the men are
encamped outdoors. They are wholly dependent
upon charity for their subsistence, but they are
scrupulously conscientious in taking aid,
and will receive nothing more than
their necessities require "They would mob
man. remarked Captain Abbott, the chair
man of the local relief committee, IF he should
be caught asking or accepting more than he
actually needed They are all poor people-the
majority of them common laborers-but they
are honest and they are grateful. Next to their
need of food, they suffering for fuel, all the
coal in the village being under water. Ycstel-
day. took them over a barge load of coal, which
l got at Madison l have to pay for the coal
myself and am taking the risk of being
reimbursed; but if these people are ever able,
they will pay for every lump they have used.
They are honest, every one of them.n At this
iuncture the boat came in view of the coal
barge and pointing to an old negro who was
helping himself from the supply of fuel just as
w haIo
yard, the ferryman said: THAT old darky you
see yOnder loading his little boat is fair example
of the inhabitants of the place in the matter Of
integrity. He will not take a lump more
than he really needs, and, you see he is meas
uring 1t. That fellow intends to pay me for all
that he uses, and if he is ever able he will" As
the ferry boat steamed over the village street
and seemed about to land, the men moving
about among the houses in skifTs began ap-
preaching from all directions, supposing that ad-
ditional relief had arrived IF l should whistle
once or twice. remarked the ferryman.
"you would see people come focking
down over those hills from all di
rections, bringing with them their baskets. -
About the only relief the inhabitants of this place
have received was a supply of rations for five
days, left them last Friday by the Little Sandy,
as it started ON its upwatcr trip
Il have been working to get some aid for the