The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1886-10-12
THE DROUTH AND CONDITION OF
THE WEST.


One of the editors of the HERALD
the last few days paid visit to his
old home, Abilene, the centre Of the
section of what has been so extensive
ly advertised as the drouth stricken
region, where half the people are in a
destitute, half-starving condition. An
inquiry into the condition ofthe coun-
try and people shows that the reports
which have gone abroad have been
very greatly exaggerated, and the exag-
erations are as generally condemned
among the farmers as among the bust
ness men. The situation may be
summed up in few words: The crops
Of the past year were failure, as Oc-
ours about every five to seven years in
any part of America. In consequence
of the drouth and crop failures, bust
ness has been very dull; and because of
the statute laws which refuse the farm
ers of this State the privilege of mort
gaging their homes or crops for debt,
some were without credit and in an
embarrassing situation, which could
only be relieved by the favor Of the
merchants or other system of loans.
This relief was being provided for in
Taylor county by the First National
bank and business men OF Abilene, in
loans averaging 800 each to the farm
ers, when it was interrupted by an
other large portion of the people send
ing out over the country soliciting con-
tributions. Between these two fac
lions has grown up strong difference
one, much the largest, declaring that
the begging was unnecessary, inju-
rious to the country and shameful, and
the other endorsing and pursuing that
means of relief. Abilene was fully
able and would have provided for the
farmers of that county, as doubtless
the business people of every other
county in that section would have
taken care of their own county people.
With all the reports of suffering" and
all the begging bya class of men easily
alarmed, the farmers of the western
counties are no worse off to-day than
thousands of others throughout Texas
and other States who are in debt for
the amount Of the years crops. The
western people have been running
pretty much on cash system; and the
farmers of the east who have bought
supplies on credit have been called
upon to send gifts to those few of the
west who were not disposed to accept
loans or credit.
The writer heard expressions from
four prominent and reliable farmers
near Abilene, and only one approved
the plan of soliciting contributions,
and he said there was contention over
the distribution of the proceeds. The
other three condemned it as unneces-
sary; said they had all suffered incon-
venience, but were yet men, able to
take care of themselves. "Why," said
one, zone man who applied for share
of the donations owns three thousand
head of cattle: another said he didn't
have to sacrifice his stock at present
prices when free grub was coming in,
and another who applied was child
less widower, who owns one of the
largest boarding houses in the county
and large tracts of land on specula-
ton"
The rains have been ample for grass
and crops the last six weeks. The
range for hundreds of miles is said to
be the best for five year,, and fall
crops are growing splendidly. Fine
turnips, ETC., are plenti-
full in the markets.
In short, the West has suffered far
more from the misrepresentation of
its agents than by the drouth, and
again the west has not suffered more
than is frequent liz the eartern states
or central portions of this state from
drouth or the excessive rains which is
more frequent than western drouth.
The only actual suffering there has
been, was with few who unfortun-
ately went west without enough mon
ey to get good start farming. Agri-