The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1893-09-19
MISS BARTONS 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 Living
Having Been Swept Away.
CHARLESTON, S. c., Sept. 1g.--At the re-
quest of Governor Tillman the central re-
lief committee I'm charge of the distribu-
tion of money and supplies for the suffer
ers on the sea islands by thereceu 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 a full discussion Of the situation the
Red Cross association was by formal reso-
luton requested to assume charge of the
work. Miss Barton makes the following
statement:
''I think the present condition of the
Carolina sea islands bears out all that l
have seen in print. l 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
for this opinion is that through the hber-
allty of the people they have some sup
plies in hand today which without replen-
ishing will soon be exhausted In addi-
5i on they have a 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 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.
"rhe water supply has become brackish,
and the destruction of houses has necessi-
! tated crowdinS many families into one
| house. With but little clothing, less food,
| decaying vegetation, stagnant water, ex-
posure TO the weather, medical assistance
miles away, few medical supplies, what
but sickness can be expected, without
| prompt attention and immediate relief?
! What is there to prevent the recurrence of
| the malignant malarial fever that history
| shows has followed the previous storms
| that have visited these plantsf
| "There will not be work for these people
for months. The crops on which they can
get advances through liens, viii not be
planted until spring. On the upper islands
| there is 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 viii
be dependent upon public charity for sup
port, If they are not already so. There i!
q severe winter season ahead.
"The men, so far as ! have been able Il
see and hear are willing to work where
ithere is anything to do, but there is littl,
if anything, and there will be less wher
the winter comes. If theyleave the islands
their families, generally large ones, will bC
left behind entirely destitute and helpless
THE appeals for help have been gener
ously responded to up to this time, anC
have doubtless saved many lives But the
work has just begnn. Mouths and mouths
of bread have to be supplied The Rec
Cross comes to the scene by the united re
quest of Senator Butler and Governor Till
man. The generous heart of the people o.
the United States has always been euua
to meet occasions Of this kind, wher
brought to its knowledge, and it is to Civ,
this information that this plain statement
of facts is made