The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-11-26

Affairs ~ ElfensburE.
EIrESsBrEG. New. =. 1sA
To rBK EpfToz: So much has been
heard OF the distress Of '.she ditchmen
AZ Eliensburg that 10 seems TO be ABOUT
time tbs public was enlightened on the
subject Since the closing down OF the
WORK on the middle Kisti.ss irrigation
district canal. abou: $50 men have been
stopping here waiting for their pay, which
was not forthcoming. for the reason that
the parties who took the bonds failed TO
sell them. The men received their time
checks, but had little or no money, and as
they claimed to be in actual want our citi-
Eens furnished them food. Ii soon became
apparent. however. that the better element
WAS leaving. and that the ranks were being
filed sith .hobos." They made their
boasts that they intended TO be fed by
the people Of this town all winter. and our
citizens naturally resented such impu-
dence. ElIensburg, Les IL be understood,
is not in the district ~ all. and the citizens
are in no way responsible for the suspen-
sion of the work. The contractor, a.
matter OF convenience. had his Office here.
and that Was the extent OF Eiiensourgs
connection with the construction.
The people finally. after couple OF
weeks. eased mp on feeding these men.
Then they formed in line every day. l5o
strong, carrying improvised banners.
bearing such inscriptions as. I'm Gods
name. don't let rs starve," I'VE want our
money or bread, Bread and potatoes for
breakfast; We want meat for supper" etc.
Still they were not suffering for food. for
during this time they refused side OF
bacon and barrel Of -four. They wanted
beefsteak. Last Sunday q few citizens
went out and killed 100 rabbits for them,
but these hobos cooiiy said they would
accept them if they (the hunters) would
clean them.
After this they began marching to the
morning train With their banners, and
systematic importuning Of passengers for
money was begun. They we're remon-
stratsd with, bat they declared they were
going to advertise Elisnsburg all over
the state" They tell the travellers that
they are actually starving, and warn
them TO keep away from here and
escape their fate. Eliensburg and
Kittitas valley contains food for thou
sands, and our people have never turned
deaf ear to the wall of distress, and it
arouses their indignation TO see q lot of
worthless fellows like these systematically
endeavoring to injure the good name of
our city.
Starvingl Flour Is 90 csnts Q sack,
bread. two large loaves for cents; pota-
tees % cents bushel; milk, twenty-four
quarts for 81, and meats of all KINDS at
living prices. All these, and everything
else that We produce can be found here in
unlimited quantity. Is 1t any wonder
that the lying assertions of this irrespons-
ible gang. which SO grossly libel our fair
state and town in particular arouses our
Indignation?
They have de6ed the local officers In
their parades, and people are getting tired
of the whole business. There is limit to
their patience. and predictions are freely
made that there will be trouble if they do
not change their tactics. Our citisens dis
like iawlessness in any form, but they may
be provoked beyond endurance. When
this point 10 reached the 'pionic" viii end.
We know OF no better way of reaching
all the people than by telling them through
he PosT- the true condi-
ton of affairs. ELLESsBURGKR.