The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1889-12-27

flERRE, .. D., Qec. 16.-GovernOr
Mellette has returned from an extended
trip through Sully, Faulk, Potter and
Sphinx counties, and on being inter-
viewed on the condition of the destitute
settlers, which he investigated, offered
the following.. ~. t=-.s.....s
find things not so bad as feared and
not so good as l hoped. There are. two
centers of the dry district, Miner county in
the south and Faulk county in the north
Excepting a light crop. in West Faux there
was an almost total failure of crops in
these two counties and In portions of the
adjacent counties, except to the east, max
ing in each case dry district somewhat
greater than double the area of each
county.
tuition and there would have been suffering
but for the prompt assistance furnished
from all other parts of the state and also
adjoining states. The counties are
thoroughly organized for the distribu-
ton OF supplies In spite of all
experience has begotten caution, and
the supplies are now generally placed
In the storehouse and given out only on the
order of the township committeeman. The
chief need now is for food, feed and grain.
Clothing is coming IN bouhtifully. should
say tho articles most needed are -four, meal
and corn. The weather continues delight
full and every day is godsend; the winter
Is bound to be short, and with the present
organizations to make their needs known
our people will not suffer. Without fuel
and seed in the spring, however, they will
still be absolutely helpless. Goods should
be consigned to the relief committeeman
or station agent, all to so into the same
stock. The greatest need has promptly
been met by the railroad companies, who
furnished free transportation to all sup
plies, and besides, the Chicago, Milwaukee
and st. Paul railway has donated 1000 tons
of coal, and the Chicago aud Northwestern
is giving free freight on coal to an unlim-
tied extent at every station where the need
exists, and half rates to those in
need Of this, amounting to many thou
sands of dollars. Without this help we
should have been in a sore strait. The peo-
pie are usually healthy and in good spirits
They realize that their mishapis one com
mon to every new country and arises from
the fact that they have not yet acquired a
sufficient surplus and diversity of products
to tide them over. They properly feel that
like conditions from this or other causes
have occurred in every pioneer settlement.
They confidently expect u favorable sea
son and abundant crops next year and
they will be ready in the future on their
part to keep the unfortunate in other
places. In fact the greatest danger of
need and privation that may induce disease
is among those who not only refuse to ask
aid, but to accept it, or who may be in
remote places and not make their wants
known. They are greutly encouraged at
the little help allowed to each; the moral
effect is excellent and they will go to work
in the spring with renewed faith in the
country and state.
Greatly exaggerated reports of our con-
dition are being circulated in the eastern
papers. The purpose of these papers is not
to obtain relief but to hinder immigration.
Our people, however, are accustomed to
this treatment. These papers have already
located several terrible billiards. upon us,
while in truth every day is like perfect In
dian summer or spring. Our neighboring
states are supplementing the efforts of our
they do it knowing just the fncts--that
they are contributing from a bountiful har
vest to their poorer neighbors who would
otherwise suffer, or ut least be left help
less in the spring. They know from expert
ence what it is to settle in new country.
Tell all these good people that their every
bounty thrills with joy the hearts of men,
women and children. They accept it, not
as beggars, but as brothers, and that they
will be always the more willing to respond
to calls from them, and that every ounce
given becomes pounds to them.
Governor Mellette is working earn
estly devising new means to relieve the
distress, and said that great many of
the needy had found means of relief By
coming to Pierre and working on the
many large improvements under way,
and his investigation of the destitution
has been complete, and he takes the
matter personally in.charge.