The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1890-03-12
APPEAL FOR AID.
Help Needed by Destitute Farm
ers In the DakOtas.
Necessities Of the People Graphically
Narrated by the Red Cross
Association.

Money, Provisions and Clothing Should
bo Sent to the Suffering Pioneers Of tho
New States.
WASHINGTON, March 10.-The follow
ing statement to the American people
has been received by the press 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 in regard to suffering
and destitution existing among the pio-
neer settlers of North and South Da-
kota. These appeals have come to us
from trusted co-workers and those who
speak by authority on such matters. At
last they became so urgent as to be no
longer ignored. Living here at the ma
tional capital 1t was decided to call
upon the Senators and r Representatives
in Congress from these new born States
Of ours. AS one result OF the interview
had, Senator Casey, OF North Dakota,
wrote to Governor Miller informing him
Of the inquiries Of the Red Cross. Under
date OF Bismarck, February 1S, Govern
or Miller wrote thanking the Red Cross
for the interest evinced and stating that
he had referred the matter to Hon. IL.
T. Helgensen, State Commissioner Of
Agriculture and Labor, with instruc-
tioNs to give all particulars as to the
wants Of their people. ~.
Under date OF Grand Forks, February
81. Commissioner H. 7. Helgensen wrote
as follows: "There are probably 5000 or
5000 people dependent, and a good many
more who have provisions for them
selves, but need feed for stock. Con-
siderable help has been received from
St. Paul and Minneapolis, also from
Chicago and from several States east
and south, but thus far only enough To
temporarily relieve the needs Of the
destitute, and much more will have to
be solicited from time 10 time"
Commissioner Helgensen accompanies
his letter with paper which contains
the following appeal to tho public: "The
suffering for want Of provisions, cloth
ing, fuel, and feed for stock, in several
counties Of North Dakota is unprece
dented and needs some explanation.
The destitution Is almost exclusively
confined to the newer portions OF the
State, where tho settlements date back
only two, three and four years, except
Nelson and Ramsey csunties, which have
been settled about six years. These new
settlements were, like earlier settle
ments Of most new countries, composed
largely OF people whose resources woulC
have been heavily taxed to succeed ant
keep themselves above want with favor
able seasons"
The story as told by the commissioner
is that Of all our new States. Good sea
sons at first rewarded them; every acr'
was turned over In 1888. All appeared
we'll until August OF that year, when I
severe frost, a thing unknown before
killed the ripening grain. II did mucl
damage in the older and better portion
OF the State and entirely destroyed thu
newer sections. The men did not los'
their courage, but hired out to neigh
bors, thereby earning the money neces
sary for the seed and living Of 1888
The unprecedented drought Of last yea
was doubtless felt most severely In thu
fields and families Of the newly settle
portions Of both North and South Ds
kota. AS commissioner Helgensen says
a second entire failure in some sectionI
left many people completely destitnte
He adds:
While nearly the entire State suffere
from drought only, seven or eight couI
ties need much assistance. The coun
ties are: Nelson, Ramsey, Benson
Pierce. Bottineau, Bolette and Townel
Cavalier County will also need som
help, as will Eddy and Mcintosh, tn
latter in the southern part OF the State
In the counties named there are nc
less than 5000 people dependent, who'll
.or in part, on outside help. A large
number will need some assistance fo
stock. Most OF them have hay, bu
horses and oxen will not be able to wor
sufficiently to get in the spring crop
unless they have grain. The supple
heretofore received are far from NEE
ing the demands, and provisions al
urgently needed. The counties are we
organized and supplies are distribute
through the county commissioner. III
greatest care is taken to prevent Il
improper use Of these donations. A
contributions, whether money, prov
sions, or clothing, should be forwarde
TO said commissioner at Grand Fork
where the proper division will be made
------
Arrested ON n Serious Charge.
MANSFIELD, o., March 10.-Philip Sc
Iara ~ Iondon villa was arrested al