The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1890-03-13
FARMERS IN WANT,
Statement by Clara Barton,
President of the Red Cross
Association.
No Room for Doubt That More
Assistance Must Come
From Other States.

WASHINGTON, Special-The following
statement to the American people has been
received from Clara Barton, president OF
the National Association OF the Red Cross:
For many weeks past the Red Cross has been
in receipt OF letters OF appeal and statements III
regard to suffering and restitution existing
among the pioneer settlers OF Norm ana south
Dakota. These appeals have come to us nom
trusted co-workerS, and those who speak by
rule as authority on such matters. Atlast they
became so urgent as to be no longer ignored.
Living here at the national capital, it was de-
cided to call upon the senator's and representa-
tives in congress from these new born
states OF ours. As one result OF the
Casey OF North Dakota wrote to GOV.
John Miller, informing him of the inquiries OF the
Red Cross Under date of Bismarck, Feb. Is,
Gov Miller wrote, thanking the Red Cross for
the kindly interest evinced, and stating that lie
had referred the matter to Hon H. T. Heigen-
sen, state commissioner OF agriculture and labor,
with instructions to give all particulars as TO
the wants OF their people. Under date OF Grand
Forks, Feb. 81. Commissioner ii. L. Het
Sensen worte in part as follows: There are
probably 5, 900 or 5000 people dependent, and
q good many more who have provisions Tor
themselves, but need feed for stock. Consider
able help has been received from st. Paul and
Minneapolis, also from Chicago and from several
states East and South, but thus lar only enough
the destitute, and much more will
have to be solicited from time to time"
Commissioner Helgensen concludes his letter
public, signed by the commissioner, as follows:
1.-The suffering for want of provisions, clothing,
fuel and feed for stock in several counties OF
North Dakota is unprecedented IN the state, ana
needs some explanation. The restitution is
almost exclusively confined to the newer por-
tions of the state. where the settlements date
back only two, three and four years, except Nell
son and Ramsey counties, which have been set
tied about six years. These new settlements
were like earlier settlements OF most new coun-
tries, composed largely OF people whose resources
would have been heavily taxed to succeed and
keep themselves above want with favorable sea-
sons"
THE STORY IN ALL NEW STATES.
The story, as tod by the commissioner, is
that OF all our new states. Good seasons at
first rewarded them; every acre was turned over
in 1888 All appeared well until August OF that
year when a severe frost thing unknown be-
fore killed the ripening grain. 1t lid much dam
age in the Older and better portions OF the state
but it entirely destroyed the newer sections
| The hardy men did not lose their courage, but
hired out to neighborS, thereby earning the
money necessary for the seed and living OF
1888 The unprecedented drouth OF last year
was doubtless falt most severely Of anywhere id
the West in the fields and families OF the newly
settled portions of both North and South Da-
| kota As Commissioner Hegensen says, sec
ond failure in some sections left many people
! completely destitute. He adds: while nearly
the entire state suffered from drOuth, only seven
! or eight counties need much assistance. IN inns
! area are the counties where the greatest amount
| of assistance is needed, viz: Nelson, ramsey,
| Benson Pierce. Bottineau Rolette and ToWner
|
Eddy and Mcintosh, the latter in the southern
| portion OF the state. In the counties named
| there are not less than 5000 people dependent
wholly or in part on outside hep: large
number win need some assistance for stock.
| Most OF them have hay, but horses
and oxen will not be able to work
sufficiently to +, gst hG p t aean spT Ths
supplies heretofore received are lar from meet
! ing the demands and provisions are urgently
needed. The counties ara well organized and
| provisions are distributed through the county
| commiss oner. The greatest care Is taken To
prevent the improper use OF these donatlons.
All contributions whether money or provisions
| or clothing should be forwarded to said COM
missioners at Grand Forks, where the proper
| division will be made" Commissioner helgeh-
| sen explains the condition OF the state oy snow
| ing that under its constitution, Ill taking over
! property and debts from the former territory, 1t
has nearly reached the legal maximum OF dePI
as state to raise all the money ana means
TO SUPPLY THE DESTITUTE.
There ia no doubt from ali the evidence that the
| people of North Dakota are doing the very best
for their suffering fellow citizens. There Is no
doubt that the appeals already made ana pup
| lIciy given have met with warm responses from
| the Northwest But there is no room to doubt
that very much more is needed. The Red Cross
| association has satisfied itself as to that: In
quiries by its general field agent confirm TINS ap-
| peal and information, well as other state
ments rsceiysd There is s., no need with the ex-
| ties, for the presence of the Red Cross on this
field; but there is duty before it and before the
| people of the sister states as we'll The Red Cross
| believes that its duty will be done II by this au
thoritative statement it shall be the means
of inducing subscriptions for the suffer
ing people Of Dakota large enough
in amount to meet all the emergencies
that will arise. There are six months OF short
Rarions OF unclothed human beings, OF see LESS
fields. Kith all their attendant privations yet
before these people. Judging from past expert
ences and observations it would appear to ut
wiser to send money that could be used on the
ground under direction of the state officials
assigned to that duty, than to spend it for rail
road freight in purchasing goods, or other arti
cles of supplies: that may be better and more
properly obtained with cash in the hands o
those who know where it is most needed IL
that way there will be a double help secured, al
the people will thereby be aided to help them
selves. The Red Cross therefore advises tha
subscriptions be sent direct to II, T. Hegensen
state commissioner Of agriculture and labor
Grand Forks, n. D. 1t urges this because OF tn
necessity and from a sense of obligation wbicl
all America owes to these pioneer brethren WHIT
built new commemorative in the West.