The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-09-19
MISS BARTONTS 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. O., Sept. 18,--At the re-
quest OF Governor Tillman the central re-
lief committee in charge of the distribu-
tion of money and supplies for the suffer
ers on the sea islands by the recent cyclone
met Miss Clara Barton and her staff of the
Red Cross association at the Charleston
hotel yesterday to discuss and decide upon
the best means of carrying forward the
work OF relief. Governor Tillman was
present and took part In the conference.
After full discussion of the situation the
Red Cross association was by formal reso-
luton requested TO assume charge of tho
work. Miss Barton makes the following
statement:
81 think the present condition of the
Carolina sea islands bears out all that I
have seen in print. ! should think that the
people on these islands are enjoying more
comforts now than they will for some
months II left to themselves. My reason
for this opinion is that through the liber-
ality of the people they have some sup
plies in hand today which without replen-
tion they have small quantity of food
stuff that was saved from the storm, which
really seems pitiful to look at. This, too,
will soon be consumed. Sufficient time
has not elapsed to develop the miasmatio
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-
tated crowding many families into one
house. With but little clothing, less food,
decaying vegetation, stngnant water ex-
posure to the weather, medical assistance
miles away, few medical supplies, what
but sickness eau be expected, without
prompt attention and immediate reliefS
What is there to prevent the recurrence of
the malignant malarial fever that history
shows has followed the previous storms
that have visited these plantsp
''Ihere will not be work for these people
for months. The crops, on which they can
get advances through liens, will not be
planted until spring. On the upper islands
there is a considerable area of truck farms,
and on these the 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 as he
may be to work for the support of himself
and family. The fishing boats of the peo-
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
10000 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
q severe winter season ahead.
"rhe men, so far as 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.
1.-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 begun. Mouths and mouths
of broad have TO be supplied The Red
Gross 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 10 its knowledge, and it is to give
this information that this plain statement
OF facts is made"