The Bottineau pioneer., 1889-12-14

lhSt lodt WAS eAuausteu. Let inc biFS ono
instance. List winter Il near neish5or was
50 redr ced that his wife and children eight
III number-lived two weeks on bran, and
only made me acqnair ted with his condition
when one of his children became very sick,
and he was afraid it would die for lack of
nourishmsnt. lie me give another. |
know Of three brothers-in-law, whose united
families number seventeen souls; and all
that these ia miles have 10 depend on for
their existence is the profits one of them
can make peddling out goods in Red River
Valley, which generous Grand Forks mer-
ch mt has given him on credit until he can
sell them. These three men have 200 acres
of land ready for seed, and not bushel to
SOW it with. But why multiply instances?
have ssid enough to convince any reas-
enable person that we mead help. The three
months preceding the first of October last.
the county board spent over $400 n supply
ing the poor with food and a great deal
more was required. as the following fact
will show: Some time ago l went to Har-
rison & Kalbfeisch's ,grist mill to purchas G
some shorts for feed for my stock, MIR. II.
said that they were out of shorts At presert
and gave me as the reason that the poor
people in the mountains had purchased rs
much as they &C uld make all su INNER.
| Why" said "do they use it instead of
Aour?' lie replied: eyes sir; know lots
and lots of families who have lived on shcrts
fcr more than velve months
With fair grade of fl our selling at 81 a
sack, there is only one solution of this prob
lem. AS to the statement that the people
are as we'll off this year as last, the reply of
| one Of our storekeepers is conclusive. A
few lys ego when l asked him that ques-
| ton he said: 81 am not taking in 81 in
cash for $40 l received last yevr at this
| time: and as l cannot afford to give much
credit DOW, am doing $40 day less in
that business also"
The district represent is probably popu-
lated with as self sustaining, industrious,
sober and hard working class Of farmers as
can be found in the same bounds on the face
of the earth. I do not believe there is E
man in it who was ever the recipient of
charity, outside of this county, an l it is only
when actual want stares them in the face
that they can bs induced to accept it. But
at public meeting held in Oak Creek town
ship on the 2sth it was decided that it would
be impossible for many # them to pull
through and remain in the country, unless
outside help is to be had. 1t was found,
tn 1t con pairing notes, that all were provided
with buildings that man and beast could
comfortably inhabit during the winter. 1t
| was also found ths t, on an average, the
male head of each family had eighty-five
acres ready for crop. 1t was also found
that if next season should bring fair crop
and an ordinary price, nearly all could meet
tn cir existing liabilities. This land vas de-
clared to be in bitter condition for seeding
good crop, aud that it hal been better
titled than ii had been ct any time ince the
, first settlement. In view of these en- courag-
ing facts, it was unanimously resolved TO
appeal f)r help to carry US through till we
could got the next croo off the ground, and
to publish such an appeal in the st Paul and
other neighboring papers; end the writer
aud James McVicar, justice Of the peace,
| (both our addresses is Bottinsau) were un-
ami nously appe inted a committee to give oil
information and to receive all contributions
that charitable and friendly people might
send, and to distribute them, whetner pr ,
| visions or clothe to the most needy.
Now, therefore We, the said committee,
are at the dis oosal Of inquirers, to answer
any further questions. and to receive any
contributions, in money, clothes or fsod;
and We will promptly acknowledge the same
on their arrival, and, it required, will fur
nish the Names and addresses, and also re-
ceipt, Of the needy who receive them. We
trus that our more fortunate neighbors will
not let this appeal for help 90 III answered.
Your Publication Of this letter will gre, t.
ly obligs
Your Most Obedient Servant
GEORGE NICHE,
County Commissioner, Bsttineau County,
North Dakota.
The spirit Of the above comm uni
cation is me st commendable however
faulty our judgment may have been,
it being founded on previous reports
of the co lnty commissioners and we
can safely vouch for the hone sty and
integrity Of Messrs: McVicar and
Niche, by whom, everything sent
will be diligently distributed.