Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-12-13
Aid FOR DAKOTA SUFFERERS.
YANKToN, s, Dakota. Dec. 6. 1859

iANkTON. D DakOta- Dec. D, loSs.
To the Citizens of Mineral Point and
Vicinity:
AT the request of Gov. Mellette l
have written long letter to Phil.
Allen, Jr., which l want you all to
hear read, and l beg of you to COM
ply with my request-hold meetings,
appoint committees, etc. l would
gladly have written you all person
ally, but for want of time cannot.
See Phil. at once. E. E. CLoUGH.
mr.. Eauor:-I deem it wise that
all may thoroughly understand Rev.
Clough's appeal, to publish the let
ter and herewith present it.
Phil. ALLEN, JK.
Ny Dear Bro. AAen:-Last even
ing Gov. Melette was in the city,
after several days drying in the
burnt districts of South Dakota,
and at his request l write you and
many other well-disposed persons
| know elsewhere.
Owing to the several wears of
drouth and the lack of moisture at
the time of blowing in fall of '8s
and seeding last spring, the ground
was so loose that in certain localities
the grain had little moisture for
starting. But in spite of this it
came on fairly until the hot winds
in July utterly destroyed thousands
of acres of this already dry land
grain.
Perhaps thousands of farmers
who sowed from 100 to 600 acres of
wheat and oates had no harvest at
all, and are without a bushel of
grain for fuel or food.
/ saw hundreds of fine stock that
had been bought at from St to S.
per head-sold for want of hay.
Where is this? you ask. In the
great and fertile Jim River Valley,
not far from Mitchell, north and
west of the Missouri river. And
yet in these sections there are
streaks or spots of abundance.
Said the Governor: 81 drove
through settlements where there
wasn't kernel of anything. Child
rem barefooted, women in desperate
need of clothing" Underwear he
emphasized. "Oh," said he, elf
women would send even their cast
off underwear"
Men who when the drouth came
were raising thousands of bushels
of wheat, come now in pants made
of grain sacks, and with tears, buy
two dollars worth of coal, and
wonder where the next is coming
from. No food in store; clothes
worn out.
Add to this the great prairie fire
of last April, and need l say moreY
| said at last, "Governor, how
many such people are there that we
must care for, 2,oOO?"
He quickly answered, "At least
10000"
The new state has no money, and
owing to the limit of the constitu-
ton cannot borrow. The people in
the unburnt districts are doing what
they can, but four out Of FIVE are in
debt, north of three or four counties.
| asked him, "What can be done?
Why not appeal through the press?"
He said, at only makes a noise
about our misfortune and brings in
but little. Write to your friends in
the east and ask them to pack boxes
of clothing at once and ship to
Howard, Miner county, for use in
Miner county; and Woonsocket,
Sanborn county, principally for use
in Jerauld county east of the hills"
Now, my dear brother, | write you
because you are used to managing
this kind of work. Great hearted
Mineral Point can find several boxes
of women's and mems and boys APP
parel to help out these dear people.
Your railroad will deliver goods
free of charge and with dispatch.
Can't you see 100 of your citizens
and organize a committee to can
vass? There are 600 families on the |
relief list in Miner county alone.
Call a meeting and send word
through the county.
Remember, | write by authority
of the Governor.
Yours truly,
+. +. CLoUGH.
In compliance with this earnest
appeal, and after consultation with
some of our citizens, it is thought
best not to wait for public meeting
and the appointment of committees,
etc, but allow this appeal to go di-
rect to the people in solicitation for
their aid.
On Thursday next, Dee. 10Th, l
will receive at the City Hall any
contributions of money or clothing
to be sent to these destitute people,
and will see to it that said contribu-
tons are properly packed and for
warded to the respective committees.
Let there be a general response to
this urgent and needy call.
Yours respectfully,
Phil. ALLEN, JR.