New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-09-08
AID IS URGENTLY NEEDED.
GOV. TILINiAN ISSUES AN APPEAL FOR THE
SEA ISLAND SUFFERERS.
THEIR CONDITION DEMANDS PROMPT ACTION
TO PREVENT STARVATION AND PEsTILExcE
SUFFERING CAUSED AMONG THE
NEGROES BY TIE GREAT STORM.

NEGROES BY TIE GREAT STORM.
Columbia. s. c.. Sept. 7.-Governor b. r. Tillman
tonight issued the following appeal to the people
of the United States for help for the people OF the
Islands ard country ruined by the recent cyclone
THE hurricane which swept the South Atiahuc
Coast on August q unparalleled In It's severity
il spread desolation and ruin throughout the entre
state OF South Carolina. but the Sea lslahus'
spreading northward along the coast OF SCUM
Carolina from the Savannah River to the No''"
Edlso Inlet the greatest sufferers, by reaso''
OF the severity of the wind and the unpTeceuen'eu
height OF the tide. The sea Invaded the '"'''
Hundreds OF houses have been swept away NY
the waves or blown down by the wind. ana wh"e
the exact number OF deaths will never be Kho""'
II cannot be less than 900 Vegetation has been az
completely blasted by the salt water as thous" -
we're the breath OF the simeon. what was prs
nerous and blooming expanse Of rice fields gardens
and farms Is to-day desert, with the very 'a"
marks destroyed. leaving the people without sne,-
ter without food, without the possibility OF get's
work except for a limited number, to CONFRONT INC
terrors of starvation until another crop can DE
grown owing TO the fact that NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
of them negroes, and that means Oh co"''
eating with the remote islands have peen oe
stroyed 1 have within day arrived at oIeA.
understanding Of the situation and the horror
ii unfolds. c.
"Dr l. w Babcock superintendent OF the state
IunatIc ASYLUM an accomplished physician ana
sanitarian who went to the scene OF the disaS'e'
on the LIST Of September as my ofrciai Representa-
tive returned to-day. and his report Accompanies
this appeal ] do not deem 1t necessary 10 o"e'
upon the picture he draws. | have not felt Jusu-
fed hitherto In asking for help except from our
own neople The people OF the State whose losses
by the storm will run into the millions, have re-
sponded nobly and immediate suffering Is pelhg
aleviated. but starvation or pestience VIII c'a'''
many thousand victims before the winter Is over
II our efforts are not supplemented by the char
liable in other States ! pledge my official word
that contributions shall reach the people Tor whom
they are intended; that the charity which may
be given shall not be mlsapplisd; that laziness ana
ideness will not be encouraged, but the money
and provisions which may be donated shai DE APP
piled TO the support OF these people so as 10 en-
able them to rebuild their homes, and take ne"
start in life with the new year. There are not
less than 2O0OO thus destitute. Bread alone Tor
these storm sufferers will cost not less than $4,000
between now and March. while practically eleven
months will elapse before they can grow any
Medicines bed-cIothing. anything that can be
used in a house-because everything IL gone-"ii
be thankfully received. We can buy these Things
with money. but II money Is not to be had, don't
hesitate TO contribute. Send all money to me- IL
will he acknowledged through the press, and VIII
be put in bank to be checked against as needed.
Send all other contributions to the Central Rehei
Committee at Charleston. s. G. My EFFORTS 10 re-
lieye these unfortunates are stimulated py the
feeling that being negroes, ignorant and helpless
they are peculiarly the wards OF the Executive
common humanity pleads with those who are abe
to belp these poor wretches in their restitution
"B r. TILLMAN. Governor
The comprehensive report of Dr. T. W. BapcocK
says in part
"All that portion OF South Carolina known as the
Sea Islands and those parts of Colleton Berkeley'
Beaufort and Charleston counties subjected to tide
NOR
aged by the cyclone and high tide Of Sunday
August o. The destruction of crops and homes
was more especially noticeable on the eNposeu
islands which include Johns. Edsto, Port Royal
Wadmalawa. Coosaw, st. Helena and the others
adjacent The territory adjoining Combahee. Ashe-
boo and the neighborng rivers was found to have
suffered serious losses. At the lowest estimate
fully ] 900 lives lost. The Coroner or Beau
fort places the number at 500.
THE storm swept away at least one-haf OF the
homes on the islands facing the ocean, such as Coo
saw German, St. Helena and Edisto islands. / may
state that Lands End, Pollywana and Hope
Plantation the survivors are crowded into the few
houses that withstood the storm. These islands
are inhabited by population OF about 5000 peo-
pie most Of whom dependent upon their crops
for support. Some income Is derived from work
in the phosphate mines. The tide covered most
Of the islands and the low lands on the main land
and had a most disastrous effect upon the crops
The salt water entirely killed such of the cotton
potato and pea crops as 1t covered and the wind
storm blew down the corn crop. The high tide
and long submerslon of the rice crop has ruined
It, In short, the plantations Of that section have no
right to expect more than eighth Of the ordinary
crop.
with their homes destroyed, their crops ruined
and the phosphate industry parayzed by the loss OF
its equipments there Is very little for the people to
do. They have no resources all OF 1t was In the
destroyed crops They are willing enough 10 work.
but there is nothing for them to do The people are
to-day living sailed potatoes they have gathereL
together with corn saved This cannot last long
There from 10000 to Is. people who Will have
10 DO supported almost wholly until another crop
be planted about April, when they can secure
advances There is no other solution The history
OF this section shows that after the less severe
storms of 1877 1854 and 1871 epidemic of malaria
fever of malignant type followed. There Is now
a serious possibility OF such an epidemic.
'In addition TO the great loss OF human life there
have been great many animals drowned, and
of the bodies. The water supply Is brackish The
people are forced TO live In crowded houses in many
localities. and with the short supply OF provisions
the conditions far too favorable for the spread
OF the fever. Good food and clothing. which are
sOrely needed, VIII do great deal TO minimize the
possibility of disease number OF cases Of fever
and diarrhoea have been reported already.
I'm addition to the supply of food, there is a
necessity for clothing. Most Of those who survived
saved only the clothing their backs and with
out proper raiment for the winter season. Add
medicines and disinfecants / regard as prime
necessities