The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-09-19
MISS BARTON'S APPEAL.
AID Asked FOR THE SOUTH CARO-
LIyAs' STRICKEN PEOPLE.
The Red Cross Association by Request As
sumes Entire Control of the
Work of Relief.

1
| request OF Governor Tillman. the Central
Relief Committee. in charge of the dis
tribution of money and supplies for the
| sufferers on the sea islands by the re-
cent cyclone, met Miss Clara Barton and
her staff Of Red Cross Association at
the Charleston hotel to-day. to discuss
and decide upon the best means OF car
rying forward the work OF reileI. gov
Tillman was present, ana took part III
the conference. After full discussion OF
the situation, the Red Cross Association
was. bv formal resolution. requested TO as
sumo charge OF the work. Miss Barton
accepted the trust For the present, and
until the Red Cross have systemetized
their work. the local relief committees
appointed on the different Islands VIII
be called upon TO cooperate with the lieu
Cross I'm the distribution OF relief Miss
Barton made the following statement 10
the News and Courier, after the confer
ence to-day. with the request that II
be sent TO the Associated Press:
Il think the present condition OF the
Carolina sea islands bears out all that
I have seen in print. 1 should thin. that
the people on these islands are seeing
perhaps the best that they will STE Tor
some months If left to themselves. MY
reason for this opinion Is that through
the liberality Of the people they nave
some supplies I'm hand to-day which,
without replenishing, will soon be eN-
hausted. In addition they have a small
quantity Of food-stuff. that was saved
from the storm, which really seems pitt
full to look at This, too, soon will be
consumed. Sufficient time has not elapsed
TO develop the mlasmatic conditions that
are certain to follow from the vast
amount OF vegetable matter killed by
the salt water, and which must decay
on the ground
There are two means Of earning a
livelihood among the Inhabitants or
these sea islands, viz: farming and
mining in the phosphate fields. The farm
interests have been almost completely
destroyed and there is nothing TO be
done on the farm till spring. The storm
swept away the machinery and boats Of
the phosphate miners and II will be six
months before they can resume work.
The other sources OF revenue are
meagre and will not supply the demand
OF the thousands in need of food and
shelter. The sanitary coalition, never
the best, is now naturally as much worse
as could well be imagined. The water
supply has become brackish. the de-
struction OF houses has necessitated
With but little clothing. less food, de-
caying vegetation. stagnant water, ex-
posture TO the weather medical assis-
lance miles away, few medical supplies,
what but sickness can be expected with
out prompt attention and immediate re-
lief? What is there to prevent the re-
currence OF the malignant malgrial fever
that history shows has followed the pre-
vious storms that have visited these
I'll. LEI IL v.h Ifar
their hands full and new cases Of ma
larial fever are being developed every
day.
one bright spot IS the surperb work
of the Marine Hospital Service under DR..
Magruder's control through the drec
ton Of Dr. Wyman As far as this SER
vice has reached It IS directing the clear
ing of wells, the burial Of carcasses and
the drainage Of the soil wherever prac-
ticable. This service is limited 10
methods Of sanitation and does not fur
nish in any way the food and clothing,
not to speak Of the homes, that these
destitute people require All Of his
must be left to the generosity or the
people at large.
There win not be work for these peo-
pie for months. The crops, on which
they can get advances through Hens, VIII
not be planted until the 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 I'm the phosphate
mines will be paralyzed for months ana
there is no regular work 10 which the
laborer can turn, willing as he may be
TO work for the support OF himset ana
family.
THE fishing boats OF the people were
sv,aDt 10 sea. their poultry In the main
drowned and on many islands COWS ana
oats were destroy al. The entire sea
coast beft Of islands extending south
from lanes Island 10 Hilton Head Island
with 10000 population. has been deVes-
tated. Crops were ruined, houses swept
away. clothing destroyed sickness Is
breeding and perhaps half OF these poor
naonIe will be dependent upon public
charities for support. II they are not al
ready so There is severe winter sea
son ahead. IT,
The men. so far as I have been able
10 see and hear. are willing 20 Work
where there is anything 20 90 put IheIe
is little II anything and there VIII ne
less when winter comes. II they ieaEe
the island their families. generaliy larse
ones. will be left behind entirely uesu-
tute and helpless. -.
The appeals for help have been gen
and have doubtless saved many IVeS,
The fund has been almost exhausted
I'm the purchase Of grist. bacon, ana nour'
the principal staples Of food, and those
supplies have been judiciously ana non
estIv distributed But the Work mas
lust begun. Months and months OF nreao
have 10 be supplied. Governor Tllimah
has shown his hearty cooperation IN
the work OF relief, and has given his per-
sonal attention 10 II. The Red cross
comes to the scene by the united request
OF Senator Butler and Governor Tlllman'
after examining the situation, and recog-
nizes the necessity for some central di-
rection OF work for relief, and at the
solicitation OF all parties has agreed
10 remain in the field and take hold Of
the work. The generous heart or the
people OF the United States has always
been equal TO meet occasions of this kind
when brought to its knowledge. and II
is TO give them this information that this
plain statement OF facts is made.
TilimsD's statement.
Governor Tniman requested the As
ISOLATED Press agent TO send the following
official statement for him to the people
OF the United States:
after conference with the two Central
Relief Committees at Beaufort and Char
lesion. and as full personal supervision
Of all the sea islands affected by the
storm and tidal wave OF the 9th OF Au-
gust as possible the announcement Is
made TO the world al large and 20 the
people interested that full direction and