The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-09-21
MISS BARTON'S APPEAL.
Great Distress Among the Suffer-
ing Sea Islanders.
THE NEED FOR FURTHER RELIEF

No Prospect of the Inhabitants Becoming
Self Supporting Before Next Spring,
Their Only Means of Earning a Living
Having Been Swept Away.
CHARLESTON, S. c., Sept. 19.-At the re-
quest OF Governor Tillman the central re-
lief committee in charge of the distribu-
ton OF money and supplies for the suffer
ers op the sea Islands by the recent cyclone
met Miss Clara Barton and her staff of the
hed GROSS association at the Charleston
MOTEL yesterday to discuss and decide upon
the best means of carrying forward the
work of relief. Governor Tilman was
present and took part in the conference.
After full discussion Of the situation the
LED Gross association was by formal reso-
luton requested to assume charge of the
work Miss Barton makes the following
statement:
Il think the present condition of the
carolina sea islands bears out all that I
have seen in print. I'should think that the
people on these islands are enjoying more
comforts now than they will for some
months If left to themselves. My reason
Tor this opinion is that through the liber-
ailty OK the people they have some sup
plies in hand today which without replen-
lshing Will soon be exhausted. In addi-
ton they have small quantity of food
stuff that was saved from the storm, which
really seems pitiful to look Mt. This, too,
will soon be consumed. Sufficient time
has not elapsed to develop the miasmatic
conditions that are sure to follow from the
vast amount of vegetable matter killed by
the salt water, and must decay on the
ground.
The water supply has become brackish,
and the destruction Of houses has necessi-
lated crowding many families into one
mousse. With but little clothing, less food,
oecaying vegetation, stagnant water, ex-
posture to the weather, medical assistance
miles away, few medical supplies, what
put sickness can be expected, without
prompt attention and immediate reliefp
What Is there to prevent the recurrence of
the malignant malaral fever that history
shows has followed the previous storms
that have visited these pantsf
There will not be work for these people
Tor months. The crops on which they can
get advances through liens, will not be
planted until spring. On the upper islands
there is considerable area of truck farms.
and on these tho work of preparation does
not begin until February. The work in
the phosphate mines will be paralyzed for
months, and there is no regular work to
which the laborer can turn, willing US he
may be to work for the support of himself
and FAMILY. The fishing boats of the Dco-
pie were swept to sea, their poultry in the
main drowned and on many islands COWS
and goats were destroyed. The entire sea
coast belt of:islands extending south from
James Island to Hilton Head Island, with
$4,000 population, has been devastated.
Crops were ruined, houses swept away,
clothing destroyed, sickness is breeding
and perhaps half of these poor people will
be dependent upon public charity for sup
port, If they are not already So There is
severe winter season ahead
"The men, so far as l. have been able to
see and hear are willing to work where
there is anything to do, but there is little
If anything, and there will be less when
the winter comes. If they leave the islands
their families, generally large ones, will be
left behind entirely destitute and helpless
The appeals for help have been gener-
ously responded to up to this time, and
have doubtless saved many lives. But the
work has just begnn. Mouths and mouths
OF bread have to be supplied. The Red
Cross comes to the scene by the united re-
quest of Senator Butler and Governor Till
man. The generous heart of the people of
the United States has always been equal
to meet occasions of this kind when
brought to its knowledge, and it is to give
this information that this plain statement
of facts is made"