Wichita eagle., 1889-10-23
THE LAND OF FAMINE,
Dakotas Poor Already Making Appeals
for Food and Raiment.

ST. PAUL, Oct, EZ.-SuHerlng among the
settlers of Northwestern Minnesota and
Western Dakota has become so widespread
that it has been decided to appeal to the
. principal cities of the union for aid to get
them through the winter. The chamber
of commerce of st. Paul this morning
opened subscription list and appointed a
committee to visit all the business houses
and citizens generally and ask for liberal
subscriptions in cash and supplies for
these people. The relief COM
mittee of the chamber has been
directed to invite all church organi-
cations to take special contribution on
Sunday, November ;, to be devoted to al
leviating this distress.
The restitution and suffering is so great
ana extensive that the local authorities
and relief societies are unable to grant the
assistance required. Ramsey county, Da-
kota has population of 1000 people. or
these, 5000 were engaged i'll farming. The
frosts Of last year cut off the crops gener-
ally, and the farmers were obliged to
mortgage their farms for feed, provisions,
clothing, etc, to carry them
through last winter. This spring personal
property, such as stock, machinery, etc,
was mortgaged for seed and funds to put
in the crop.
There has been a continual drought
through the entire season and the crops
have been almost total failure.
The borrowed funds are entirely exhaust
ed as well as the credit of a large number
OF these people, and in Ramsey county
alone there are from 200 to $40 families
tirely destitute. In Nelson and Walsh
counties there is also great destitu-
ton and suffering, and there are
probably in this district of North Dakota
not less than 1000 families who are nearly
Or entirely destitute.
There is district in South Dakota that
is in a like condition. This district Is en-
braced within Miner, Lake, Sanborn and
Beadle counties. Bat this district is sur
rounded by populous towns and cities like
Sioux Falls, Yankton, Huron, Watertown,
Pierre, ETC., and it is thought that if ap-
plication is made to these cites by the
proper authorities in several counties suf-
1cient relief can be realized to take care
of this district, for the present, at least.
But the devastated district in North
Dakota is directly dependent upon the
Twin Cities, Duluth and the larger towns
on the line of the Northern Pacific railroad
in Dakota for assistance. Grand Forks
has already appointed committees and is
actively engaged in supplying clothing and
some provisions to this district. The COM
mittee of the st. Paul chamber of COM
merce has decided to correspond with the
mayors of Fargo, Jamestown, Bismarck
and ascertain whether any organized
movement has been made towards reliev-
ing these people. 1t has been
thought best TO communicate with the
state authorities of North Dakota to as
certain if there are any funds available
which may be used for this purpose, and
to inquire what action will be taken by
the state officers in this matter
1t Is imperative that this devasted dis
trict of North Dakota should receive some
assistance Immediately. The supplies
most urgently required are boots, shoes,
hosiery, undergarments, -four, corn meal
and necessary groceries and grain for their
stock. 1t is estimated that there are near
ly enough potatoes and hay
aised in this section to
supply the demand. Arrangements
have been made for the free transportation
of products intended for distribution
among the people.
Two years ago the farmers of Marshall
county, Minnesota, were unfortunate
enough to lose almost their entire crop,
owing to an aggravatlon of the causes
which produced poor harvest through
the entire state. Since that time they have
been struggling to relieve themselves
from the burden of financial embarrass-
ment which they have incurred, but fate
has been against them. During the
past year the prospects for n good
Drop in the country were encourage
ing. but devastating hail-storms of I'M
usual violence visited the eastern part of
the country and practically laid everything
waste and ruined the harvest. This dis
aster came after the previous visitation
had reduced many of the farmers to the
verge of starvation and unless something
is done to relieve the distress there will be
much suffering this winter. 4 delegation
has waited on Governor Merriam and
asked aid from the state. The case WAS
urgent and 1t was pointed out
20 the governor that I'M
mediate relief was absolutely required
The Importance of prompt measures was
recognized by the governor and he i'm
mediately appointed Rev. NJ. Falk Gjirt-
sen. II. /. Melgaard. A. Banker and VI.
Glavin special commission to investigate
and report to the governor the condition
Of things from personal investigation.
when he will cause to be distributed all
necessary aid to tide the stricken ones
over the winter from one of the contingent
funds at his disposal.