The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-10
DISTRESS In NEBRASKA.
Statement from the Secretary of the
Galloway Central Relief Committee.

To the Editor Of the indianapolis Journal:
The attention of the Galloway relief
committee has been directed to the Journal
of the 9th ult., in which you give an ex-
tract from the Omaha Bee decrying the
seriousness of the situation in the drought
stricken districts of Nebraska. 1t IS with
deep pain that / see the Bee take this
course at this late date. As secretary OF
the relief committee, it became my BUSH
N Mebras mohi Press eG what wan coming Mr
Rosewater at length wrote to me on the
subject, and his paper then did me the
honor to accept one or two or my letters.
The Omaha World-Herald protested strenu-
ously, much to our regret, that the reports
but nobody came to investigate. .Au lenvth
the World-Herald. sent a special reporter
to the burnt-up districts, and at once ,ne
scene changed His graphic letters startled
the country. We, who are residing upon
the spot, were at length believed. Now the
Bee goes on the other track. 1t IS very pit
iful. this playing fast and loose with hui
man lives.
1t may be that Nebraska can take care
of her own" but she is not doing it. By
the way. this expression was first ascribed
falsely to our recent Governor. 1t is true
that months ago petltioned Governor
CronnZe to convene a special session OF the
Legislature to deal with the distress. For
tonal reasons he did not accede to our re-
quest; but, later, he appointed State re-
to procure donations and to systematically
distribute aid Most of their resources
have been supplied from States external to
own for the reason that the COM
paratively prosperous counties of this State
nave been badly damaged, AM. have enough
to do to take care of their own. Even
Omaha has suffered greatly. for much OF
her prosperity depends upon the prosperity
of the interior, yet she has announced her
intention to take care of a whole county
In addition to the poor of her own city. 1t
may be true that our State could take care
of her own if an equal DIVISION wero made,
but 1t would all come on a few individuals.
l know that we in Custer county cannot
6n nraif nIcfc. Of
be reputed to be. for we have only paper
assets to divide, and these cannot be eaten
peared; yet we doing what we can.
The chairman of our relief committee has
placed at te our disposal fifty sacks OF flour
it, being. on the spot, unless he knew it
was. needed to preserve human life? The
leading members are begging from their
Eastern friends clothing. etc, and spending
their time arranging and distributing 1t.
Do they do this for amusement? Churches,
friendly societies. county officials are all
making the same outcry and, are all at
work. We are on the spot. Are we deceiv-
and look. Some have done so. One New
Brunswick gentleman gave away all the
loose money od he had al IN eharIy b gave onr
longed stay would render him bankrupt 1t
is not a question of speculative opinion.
but of fact. How is it that everybody who
visits US tells the same story? All that We
ask is. for the editor of the Omaha Bee,
OF a f who Is IN dono d to cone be e anS
for newspapers, for any organization. to
send some one to investigate. Until then,
please do not call us exaggerators
The newly elected Legislature has OPP
pointed a committee to report on the dis
tress and how to meet it. This is all very
right and proper, but in the meantime.
what? A great responsibility rests upon
those who would retard private charity at
this critical juncture. In spite of all our
efforts, it will result in suffering and some
deaths. Winter is at last upon us. and al
though the tide Of charity is flowing, it is
in my opinion to- some extent too late. After
ALL though the distress is intense, IT should
not be considered of magnitude sufficient to
appaIl a nation, for although the territory
affected is extensive, the population is
sparse. For instance, though the district
under our care covers nearly 1000 square
miles, we have only between two and three
hundred families on our books although the
number will increase as the winter deepenS.
THOMAS NORBURY, Secretary.
Galloway, Neb., Jan. 5.