The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-02-27
Help for Nebraska Farmers,
WEsCoTT, Neb., Feb, 1895.

To the People of Observation-Disclosures the
blighting and unprecedented drouth of the
past season prevented the farmers of Custer
county from producing even sufficient feed
and seed TO raise another crop, and whereas
many of them, heretofore having the best of
credit, now by reason OF the unusual and
general depression of business throughout
the country, and the consequent refusal of
the banks to loan money, find themselves
without the means OF providing seed and
feed to put ia crop the coming season,
therefore we ask leave to place before you
q statement Of our condition for your con-
sideration that you may, If so disposed, give
us such financial aid as your means will
allow.
Our condition,-nearly total crop fail
ure This was the result Of a freeze the
18th OF May, when all our grain and grass
was frozen an inch below the surface, which
reduced the crop prospect at least forty per
cent. In July there were hot winds which
destroyed what the frost left. We are
pioneers in new country and have not yet
had time to accumulate a surplus for an
emergency like the present.
Our need is seed grain or its equivalent in
money. Grain is the capital on which we
do business. To get back to prosperity it is
essential that We put in, as nearly as posi-
BILE, full crop this season. After receiving
state and county aid and exhau sting our
home resources, we ind we shall yet be
short nearly fifty per cent of what will be
required. From the East we purchase all
our dry goods, large per cent OF boots and
shoes, marble for cemeteries, slate for
schoo-houses, scales for our stores, eleva-
tors and farms. In short we are patrons
Of the East. Our prosperity contribut 80 to
your financial welfare. Feeling this inter-
dependence, we also know we'll the patriot
ism Of those whom we left when we went
out from our old New England homes to
make for ourselves these new homes in the
fha - 1ath
and provisions is thought to be in excess Of
all present needs. We thank you for this.
But when you take into consideration that
forty-two counties of this state need aid;
that in these counties there is population
Of 283 446 inhabitants as per census of 1890;
that eighty per cent Of our farmers need
aid, you will comprehend something Of the
amount Of help needed. Fifty cents will
seed an acre OF wheat, returning in q fair
season twenty to twenty bushels in
harvest. One dollar will seed seven acres
Of corn and produce $50 bushels at what we
consider low average yield: Thus, 30
much help from you means this much OF
prosperity to your western brother who re-
ceives.
Our seeding must be done by the first of
May: Hence this direct appeal that you
consider our needs at once. Our relief
committee is, under the law passed at the
present 80 ,sion, required to give bonds for
the honest and impartial handling OF all
funds. An applicant for aid must make
affidavit that he is without the seed or the
means Of getting it. This must be attested
by neighbor who knows his condition.
Thus you see that everything is straight
business Now il you can help US in little
or much, please do 80.
.[Signed] j. 8. Spooner, supervisor, M. e.
Sanderburg, secretary, Douglass Grove Re-
lief Committee, Wescott, Custer County,
Neb.
Contributions Of money can be left at the
WATCHNAN Office.