Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-01-01

''These fellows are upon an ousting expedi-
ton"
As they entered, the signal was sounded
by the blowing of horns and BEATING of tin
pans. The inhabitants Immediately took
the alarm ana gathered in front Of the first
howell to be attacked. There they held
Their position in spite Of the b2yo2ets that
were freely used by the police. There We're
few men in tie village. They were away
at work. bIlt the women fought with hoes.
rakes, pitchforks and shovelS. and seemed
perfectly reckless of life. One after an
other fell, some killed. some wounded, but
they would not yield. After a long and
terrible struggle the bdiif drew off his
force, leaving the inhabitants to care for
the wounded and dying.
1t was most terrible sight that met my
view as l went to help the poor people in
their distress. A young lady, a teacher in
the school came to help us. Her sad reel
tai was heart-rending.
MANY of my pupils" said she, come
to school every morning without having
eaten a mOuthful since their supper the
night before and they can only hope for a
small share of what their fathers can beg
or borrow from people nearly as poor as
themselves. Every day miss another face,
and another is added to the long death list
Is there no help for this starving people?"
she asked, while tears ran down her
cheeks.
81 also ask, is there no help? Must peo-
pie die III this land Of plenty? No, I will
sound the alarm and call for aid" l said,
while with busy hands we cared for the
wretched inhabitants.
What a curse must follow those who
cause this she said. starvation and
rags are not enough, bat they must offer
up their lives to defend this wretched
hovel and homer
What a scene Of misery it was! Children
crying over bruised and bleeding mothers,
and mothers weeping over their helpless
children; While the fangs of the hungry
wolf was fastened on each pale and bag
gard face. AS soon as we could, my friend
and I rode away. Each was silent. Words
could not express our feelings. Here We're
people who had tOiled early and late to
grow crops, but they must starve. They
had built little novels, not fit for pig pens,
but they must offer up their lives, that
they might dwell in them. Landlordism
is the most brutal cruelty the world has
ever known.
When | reached home had food af all
descriptions gathered together, and soon
we were on our way back to the starving
people. Lord Waverland was not at home,
and for once | dared to brave his wrath if
he should learn what | had done. The
tears of joy and thankfulness that greeted
US as we divided our load We're reward
enough for a whole life of self-denial
The determined resistance made by
those village tenants was the commence
ment of the war against eviction. A call
was Immediately made for relief, and all
that winter committees were busy dealing
out food to the suffering people. At the
same time, the bailff and his forces were
busy evicting the starving men and fam
ishing families,
All over western Ireland the horrors of
another ''47'' seemed the doom of the in
habitantS. Aid from America came by the
shiplOad. But the British government did
nothing to save the people from suffering
and death. Many private persons gave
literally. Even the queen of England
gave pittance from her income of mil
lions and was duly thanked for it.
All this time the war on rents was grow
ing tiercer. The condition of the country
was rousing the people to action. 1t was
strengthening the Land League and weak
ening the cause and prestige of the land
lords.