The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-16
THE EARTHQUAKE DISTRICT.
A Strong Endorsement of Commander Fair
childS Appeal-Dusy Work at Charleston.

CHARLESTON, Sept. 15-Gen. S. w. Crawford
who came here from Philadelphia on Sunday
last night sent the following letter to Governor
Fairchild, Commander-in-chief of the Grand
Army of the Republic:
Ex-Governor Fairchild Commander in Chief Grand
Army of the Republics:
Dear Sir-Nothing could have been more opportune
than your visit to this afflicted city. have been here
for several DAYS. and nv object in coming was TO as
certain by personal inspection the immediate needs of
the community. and what should be the immediate
remedy. The indomitable spirit of the people has
already shown itself in the activity of the relief
mlttees, and they have now reached point where the
quC ston Of food and shelter is entirely under their
own controls but there is another condition of things
pressing upon the community with such weight as
render immediate relief not only advisable but i'm
perative. There is a large class of people who
by the calamity. have been rendered houselass and
homelass and with no prospects of any restoration
without efficient help. They small propsrtv-own
ers to whom their little dwellings their ALL and
upon whom the weight of the shock has fallen with
its principal force. Often encumbered with mort
cages, these structures cannot be repaired without
help My knowledge of and association with these
people have given abundant opportunity to learn
these facts and have been greatly impressed with
the immediate necessity of relief to them. Funds
must be raised by voluntary contributions to assist
them will be free to restore their injured proper
ty, which they are able and willing to do The great
in accordance with their principles and practice
than to assist in this great Christian effort.
Very truly yours, S. w. CRAWFORD
Brevet Major-general, u. S. A.
P. S.-I4et say, too that the contributions made
will be under the control of the Mayor, attested by
gentlemen whose names are guarantee of their ap
propriate ISSUE"
There is no particular change in the situation
to-day, but the work of rough reparation is 60
ing on in every part of the city. 1t is impossible
to restore buildings 10 their former condition,
but they are putting on better appearance,
and the hum of labor tends to tighten the situa
tion. There is scarcity of brick layers and
plasterers, but numerous applications for work
come daily. The relief committee to-day
considered the condition of Summerville and
the villages along the line Of the South Carolina
railway, and of the town of Mount Pleasant
opposite Charleston, and resolved unanimously
that the losses in these places should be pro
vided for in the ratio of their amount on the
same basis as the losses in Charles
ton. The feeling of the committee is
that, while the most of the funds
were sent in the name of Charleston. the inten-
tion of the donors was to furnish relief to the
whole earthquake district in this vicinity. Most
OF the tents and shelters provided for the refu-
gees in this city have been removed, and the in
tention is to have all cleared away by the end of
the month. In this the government engineers
have greatly assisted by their reports on the
condition of dwellings,