The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1891-02-19
THE STRICKEN WEST.
THOUSANDS OF SETTLERS IN DAN
GER OF STARVATION.

astrous Seasons--A Famine Eolt Two
Miles Long.
LINCOLN, NEB, February 9.-The
Nebraska Legislature has asked FEEDER.
al appropriation Of 81, 900, 900 to PROV
ide seed for the destitute settlers of
Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska and the
Dakotas. That sum indicates the eX-
tent of the calamity which has overtakcn
portions Of these State as a result of the
drought prevailing over large areas last
season. 1t is not certain that such a
sum is actually needed, butt it is the
estimate put by the Legislature of Nc
braska upon the wants of the settlers
in the way of seed to enable them to
make start next season. When &c
estimated amounts required to carry inc
destitute through the winter {, to sup
Oort them until time for AZ other har-
vest are added to the sum asked from
the General Government. the total be-
comes enormous and challenges the at
tention of the entire country.
But bad as the situation is in some
parts Of the stricken districts, and severe
as the suffering has been in isolated
cases, that could not be quickly reached
through the regular channels of relief, Il
great deal has been done by the States
interested to meet the Dccd of their un-
fOrtunatcs a; and even should Congress
decline to grant the desired appropria-
ton, as it probably will, there is not
much danger that serious results will fol-
low.
The region that has suffered so serious
~ from drought is about $50 miles wide
and over 1000 miles in length On the
east are the rich agricultural lands Of
the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas and
on the west arc the wealthy mineral
and stock producing States and Terri
tories Of the Rocky Mountain region.
If one State were obliged to bear the
Lurdcn of the crop failures Of the past
,wo years in The region Indicated, il
would cause widespread disaster, and
possibly the bankruptcy of the State
Government. Fortunately the burden
falls upon several States. and. although
many individuals will lose the accoumula-
tons of years, and sutler many priva-
lions, it is hoped that all cases Of gen
line dcStitution can be relieved without
an appeal for assistance either from the
Federal Government or the genera, pub
lie.
The people who arc suffering on the
Western pralrlCs are the victims of mis-
placed confidence. For years they have
rcen Crowdny toward the Wcs; under
-he dcluslon that q rapid change in the
climate Of the plains was taking place,
and that with tho breaking Of the sol,
the building Of railways, and the plant
ing Of trees, would come an immediate
and pcrmanant increase IN the rainfall.
Twenty live years ago it was believed
that agriculture could not succeed 80
miles west of the Missouri RIVER. But
the settlers went beyond that limit and
prospercd. The rainfall did appear to
increase. Then they pushed out farther
and farther and were blessed with good
crops. The cattlcmcn, who had hoped
to retain control Of the region in Western
Kansas and Nebraska, insisted that
agriculture could not be successfully car
ricd on between the Tooth meridian and
the mountains. But they were not
needed, because they were interested
parties and could reasonably be supposed
cXaggcrating the aridity Of the region
which they desired TO hold for their own
use.
Soon after 1850 Il number Of railroads
began building from the Missouri River
TO the mountains, and in lew years
lour or five new roads had been con-
strucled. 1t was noticed that the soil
was good nearly all the way, and the
rainfall was abundant. The land seemed
ready for civilization. Partly through
the efforts of the railroads and partly on
account OF tho tremendous amount of
immigration into the whole West, the set
tiers began to crowd toward the scml-arid
strip, about 200 miles wide. and extend
ing, parallel with the Rocky Mountains
Tor over 1000 miles. Their confidence
was increased by the steady prosperity Of
tie people who had settled on the
borders Of the district that was 50 long
hell in question. From 1881 until 1887
the Government land offices all over the
Western plains were bcsiogcd by APP
plicants for hOmestcads and lands suta-
bic for entry under the timbcr-Culturc
law. People with scarcely the means
to reach the land. and in some cases
without enough tC uay the small entry
fees required by the Government rushed
Oh to the new and untred soil and be-
gan the struggle for existence.
For two or three seasons there was
plenty Of rainfall, and it was proclaimed
that the rain belt" had been carried
westward until the arid plans had entire
ly disappeared and the soil could be
cultivated every loot of the long 500
miles between the Missouri River and
the Rocky Mountains. This theory
was widely hcralded and so generally
believed that before the close Of 1883
there was but little desirable land in
Western Kansas and Nebraska and
Eastern Colorado that had not been
settled upon by men whose sole capital
was muscle and energy.
oincG }S87, however, the ranlull or
the new "raln Selt" has been tickle and
insufficient. Crops have been total or
partial failures for two and. in some
places, for three seasons. Thousands
of settlers have left Eastern Colorado
and Western Kansas and Nebraska, and
many of those remaining cannot hope to
stay and hold their claims without help.
The census shows that Kansas has de-
creased in population since 1888, large
ly on account Of the emigration from the
counties on the extreme west,