Huntsville gazette., 1890-03-15

Md%a :" NNlA WThH, as to be no longer
W. @VMaA VlBB~ ignored. Living here
at the National capi-
0toTa barton. tai, it was decided to
call upon the Senators and Representatives
in Congress from these new born States of
ours. As one result of the interviews thus
had Senator L. r. Casey, of North Dakota.
wrote to Governor Jong Miller informing
him of the inquiries of the Red Cross. Under
date of Bismarck, February IS, Gov
ernor Miller wrote thanking the
Red Cross for the kindly interest
evinced, and stating that he had referred
the matter to Hon II. I. Helgensen, State
Commissioner of Agriculture and Labor,
with instructions to give all particulars as
to the wants of their people. Under date of
Grand Forks, February 21, Commissioner III.
L. He1gensen wrote in part as follows: !:
''There are probably 200 or 5000 people de-
pendent, and good many more who have
provisions for themselves, but need feed for
stock. Considerable 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 tempo
rarily relieve the needs of the destitute, and
much more will have to be solicited from
time to time"
Commissioner Helgensen accompanies his
letter with a paper which contains ap-
peal to the public, signed by the Commits
oiOHGi, as lOllOWS. 1ut SuuoTIuS lOT WdnJ
of provisions, clothing, fuel and feed for
stock in several counties of North Dakota is
unprecedented in the State and needs some
explanation. The destitution is almost ex-
clusively confined to the newer portions of
the State, where the settlements date back
only two. three and four years, except Nell
son and Ramsey counties, which have been
settled about six years. These settlements
were, like early settlements of most coun-
tries cOmnOSed 1arppIv of naOnle wbOSa
resources would have been heavily taxed to
succeed and keep themselves above want
with favorable seasons"
The story as told by the Commissioner is
that of all our new States. Good seasons at
nrst rewarded them: every acre was turned
over in 1888. All appeared well until August
OF that year, when severe frost, thing un-
known before. killed the ripening grain. 1t
did much damage in the older and better
portions of the State, but it entirely de-
stroyed the newer section. The hardy men
did not lose their courage, but hired out to
neighbors, thereby earning the money nee
essary for the seed and living of 1SS9 The
unprecedented drought of last year was
doubtless felt most severely of anywhere in
the West in the fields and families of the
newly settled portions of both North and
South Dakota. AS Commissioner Helgensen
says, "a second entire failure in some sections
left many people completely destitute.
He adds: "While nearly the entire State
suffered from drought only seven or eight
counties need much assistance. In this area
are the counties where the greatest amount
of assistance is needed viz: Nelson, Ram
sey Benson, Pierce, Bottineau, Bollette and
Towner. Cavalier County will also need
some help, as will Eddy and Mcintosh, the
latter in the southern portion of the State.
In the counties named there are not less
than five thousand people dependent
wholly or in part on outside help. A
larger number will need some assistance for
stock. Most of them have hay, but horses
and oxen will not be able to work sufficient
ly to get in the spring crops, unless they
have grain. The supplies hereto
fore received are far from meeting the de-
mands, and provisions are urgently needed.
The counties are well organized and sup
plies are distributed through the county
commissioner. The greatest care is taken
to prevent the improper use of these dona-
tons. +* All contributions whether
money or provisions or clothing, should be
forwarded to said commissioner at Grand
Forks, where the proper division will be
made"
Commissioner Helgensen explains the con-
dition of the State by showing that under its
Constitution in making over property and
debts from the former Territory, it has nearly
reached the legal maximum of debt that
may incurred. 1t is, therefore, unable as
a State to raise all the money and means
necessary to supply the destitute. There is
no doubt from all the evidence that the peo-
pie of North Dakota are doing the very best
for their suffering fellow citizens. There is
no doubt that the appeals already made and
publicity given have met with warm re-
sponses from the Northwest But there is
no room to doubt that very much more is
needed. The Red Cross Association has sat
isfed itself as to that. Inquiries by its gen.
eral agent confirm this appeal and in forma-
ton as well as other statements received.
There is no need with the excellent methods
adopted by the State authorities, for the
presence of the Red Gross on this field; but
there is duty before it and before the pub
pie of sister States as well. The Red Cross
believes that its duty will be DONE If by this
authoritative statement it shall be the
means of inducing subscriptions for the suf
fering people of Dakota large enough in
amount to meet all the emergencies that
will arise.
There are six months of short rations.
unclothcd human beings, of seedless
fields, with all their attendant pri-
vations yet before these people. Judg-
ing from past experiences and observations
it would appear to us wiser to send money
that can be used on the ground, under direc-
ton of the State officials assigned to that
duty, than to spend it 70 r railroad freight in
purchasing goods or other articles of sup
plies, that may be better and more properly
obtained with cash in the hands of those
who know where it is most needed.
In that way, there will be double help
secured, as the people will thereby be aided
to help themselves The Red Cross, there
fore, advises that subscriptions be sent
direct to H. T. Helgensen, State Commits
soner of Agriculture and Labor, Grand
Forks, n. D. 1t urges this because of the
necessity, and from a sense of the obligation
which all America owes to these pioneer
brethren who build new commonwea alths in
the West. +
BY order Of the executive committee.
CLARA BARTON,
President of American National Association
of the Red Cross.