The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1893-09-13

The territory adjoining Combahee,
Ashepoo and the neighboring rivers
was found to have suffered serious
losses.
At the lowest estimates fully 1000
lives were lost. The coroner places the
number at 800.
The storm swept away at least one
half of the homes on the islands facing
the ocean. such as Coosaw, Corn, st.
Helena, Edisto. I may stale that on
Lands End, Polly, Wana and Hope
Plantation, survivors are crowded into
the few homes that withstood the
storm.
These islands are inhabited by q
population Of about IS, 900 people, most
Of whom are dependent upon their
crops for support. Some revenue is
derived from work in the phosphate
mines. The tide covered most of the
islands, and the low lands !on the
mainland, and had a most disastrous
effect upon the crops. The salt water
entirely killed such Of the cotton,
potato and pea crop as it covered and
the wind storm blew down the corn
crop. The high tide and long SUBJ
mersion of the rice crop has ruined it.
In short, the planters of that section
have no right to expect more than an
eighth of the ordinary crop.
With their homes destroyed, their
crops ruined, and the phosphate indus
try paralyzed by the loss OF it's equip
ments, there is very little for these
people to do. They have no resources,
all Of it was in the destroyed crops.
They are willing enough to work, but
there is nothing for them to do. The
people are to-day living on salted po-
tatoes they have gathered, together
with the corn saved. This cannot last
long. There are from 10000 to $4,000
people who will have to be supported
almost wholly until another crop can
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 an epidemic of ma
larial fever of malignant type fol-
lowed. There is now a serious posi-
bility of such an epidemic. In addition
to the great loss of human life there
have been great many animals
drowned and there has been extreme
carelessness in the burial 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 condi-
tions are far too favorable for the
spread of the fever. Good food and
clothing, which are sorely needed, will
do great deal to minimize the posi-
-bilities:of q spread OF any trouble. A
number of cases Of fever and diarrhoes
have been reported already.
The central relief committee atBeau-
fort has for the last few days been dis
tributed ra'ions among the needy on q
careful basis. It is realized that the
food stuffs contributed will have to last
very many months and on that ac-
count limited supplies are given those
known to be deserving of help. From
what I could see there is no encourage
ment Of idleness, nor is there any dis
position to abuse the charity by assist
ing those who are able to find work.
The superintendents Of the phosphate
works advise me that they have daily
to turn away hundreds Of men who
seek work.
The seriousnesso of the situation can
hardly be overdrawn. The distress
and impending dangers of starvation
appeal for prompt assistance.
Competent relief committees have
been organized with eolored represen-
tation, and the distribution of the sup
plies is being systematically and eau
tiously managed.
In addition to the supply of food
there is necessity for clothing. Most
of those who survive saved only the
clothing on their backs and are with
out proper ralment for the winter
season.
Additional medical assistance, larger
supplies of medicines, and disinfec-
tants [ regard as prime necessities.
Respectfully submitted,
]. w. BABcocK.