Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-12-13
DESTITUTE FARMERS.
Lieut. Gov. Fletcher's View of the
Situation in South Dakota.
Where the Greatest suffering 10 and
What has Caused tt-Aid f.
Wanted Batlv

/
Wanted Badly.
Lieutenant Governor Fletcher, asked 70.
garding destitution among South Dakota
farmers, said:
es, there is destitution in South Dakota
all reports 70 the contrary notw tthstand z
/ And what is more, l can't see the vision Of
Attempting 10 cover up these facts OF being at
all mealy-mouthed about the business. II
they are the truth, they are bound TO out no
matter how much any so-caled boo iers may
attempt to cover them up. Aud what is more,
can see bow 10y making these things pub
hcly known anything but good can resu L
1T Is not 20 be supposed that anyone Is
coming here without investigating the eondi.
tion OF affairs, or tIat We wunt anybudy 70
come IN any other way. IL Is misfortune
thai there is desttution but il will only be
temporary.
| "The experience is one common to the
/ settlement OF all new countries There nre
some seven counties IN the STATE that know
I OF that are suffering aud IN destitute circum-
| stances, resulting from ,he drouth which has
prevailed in these parts more or less for the
past three seasons
In Brown county the Southeastern part
bad fairly good crop. The rest is in most
destitute circumstances. Then. there are
Marshall MCPHERSON, Campbell, Wallworth,
Edwards and Sphinx These counties are ali
IN bad shape, with hardly any crops to speak
or in our county we we an organization Of
some 10 town.hips with a representative In
each township through whom we distribute
all We can gather in any way 10 alleviate the
wants OF those people suffering the most
What is going TO be doneg am Of the
opinion that there is no danger OF our getting
TOO much assistance. The only proper way
10 handle the matter is through the boards Of
commissioners in every county. IL these
commissioners take the proper course and the
circumstances are thoroughly understood, the
railroad companies will furnish free transpor.
tation to needy sufferers Then IL the other
Interests of the country will do an equal
share with these railroads thercwill be plenty
OF money 10 buy goods for the railroads to ship
Ia to supply ali who are really suffering.
we may be called boggars. but is Il not
better 20 beg than to freeze and starye7 Aud
that is Just what people are already doingRnd
VIII continue 10 DO with increasing measure
from this time on. II the counties provide
the means OF commencing farming next year
they will do a great deal.
II believe In asking aid wherever we can
get II. IL seems false pride that we should
keep such serious facts as these suppressed.
10 Is unnatural and uucalled for on any
grounds that ! can sec. South Dakota may
ne amply able to take care of itself and live,
pwhether that covers the present situation
- the question. | do not believe that fine
sentiment as IL is IL will keep people from
the State. II impartial judges thought the
situation a serious one last year they will hnS
II as much worse this year"
GRAND FORKS, N. D.-The Chamber of
Commerce and the Business Mems Ass0cia-
ton have administered severe rebuke to
Congressman Ilansbrough for introducing a
resolution in Congress asking for an appro-
prlatlun of S5OpWQ tor destitute citizens Of
North Dakota, when the six counties Of the
Rcd River Valley alone in the State raised
during the crop season Of 1890 100000
bushels Of wheat, besides other cereals and
have loaned to wheat buyers OF Minneapolis
and Duluth 100000 during the last 80 days
to tide them over the crisis caused BY tho
siringcncy in Eastern markets. These bust
ness bodies insist that North Dakota Is able 10
provide for all its needy aud protest against
the adoption Of the iIanshrough resolution.
WICHITA, kAs.-The Oklahoma eountryiu
covered with snow from 70 y inches deep
The dena for aid ineieases from the poor
settlers. OF the $4,000 appropriate by the
government for the benefit OF the poor there
remains scarcely $4,000. The committee on
supplies handling this money hns reached
here. The members report that they do not
want to say that the situation is alarming, but
they have By no means enough 10 supply food
md clothing for the poor. Aid must come or
Vie suffering will be intense.