The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1895-01-04
STARVATION IN NEBRASKA.
THE SUFFERING INCREASES Ev-
ERY DAY.
The Farmers Are Reduced to a
Pltiable Condition of fPoverty-NOt u
stream of Water or n Living Spring
in a Whole County.

Ine Farmers Are Reduced to q
PltiabIe Condition of Poverty-Not u
stream OF Water or n Living Spring
in Whole County.
The suffering among the inhabitants
OF the drouth-blasted part of Nebraska,
including three-fourths of the residents
OF five counties, is becoming more in
tense daily, and immediate action is
necessary to prevent many deaths by
starvation. Three years ago the farm
ers OF these drouth. blighted districts
raised very light crop, and the past
two years the crops have been almost
total failures. Many families haven't
enough provisions in their homes for
one weeks sustenance and no money to
purchase the necessities Of life. Many
Yof the merchants here feel that they
have aided the poor farmers to the
extent of their ability and are unable
to do any more for them or to sell them
goods on credit. The sufferers cannot
obtain employment, and unless they
receive aid very soon it is the general
opinion that many will starve to death,
and should the weather turn very cold
many will freeze to death, as it is a
fact that many are barefooted and
have scarcely sufficient clothing to
cover their nakedness.
A mother and her two children were
found dead in their little cabin last
week. 1t is supposed the mother had
been confined to her bed by sickness
and she and her two little ones starved
to death. The stomachs of the child
| rem were opened and not q trace of
food could be found.
There is not a stream of water in
Perkins County nor a living spring.
I'Wells run from 60 to 200 feet deep, the
majority being 150 to 200 feet. The
| SOIL ii watered, raises good crops if
not 1t bakes into a solid mass. The
roads and much of the prairies resemble
asphalt, SO hard packed and smooth
are they. Well diggers say that the
soil is solid mass $50 feet down, so
hard that picks have to be used to
loosen it. Over this smooth surface
the never ceasing winds blow from
every direction. They are filled with
minute sand particles and almost re-
sistleSs.
The relief work in Dundy County is
in the hands of committee appointed
by citizens, with the approval of the
county commissioners. Rev. j. Nj.
Bell and Oscar Callahan. banker, have
been the most active in systematizing
the work. Mr.. Callahan says:
There is much suffering, but the
chief need is for fuel and seed. Wheat
will be needed for seed, and corn will
be needed for seed, and corn will also
be required for food. The stock is in
fair condition, in spite of the fact that
the buffalo grass is not nearly so good
as usual this year. Many have asked
for coal, but the majority are able to
ray the miners prices, if transporta-
tion can be donated. The Grand Army
OF the Republic men in other parts
coal to. be given to the needy members
here. The pensioners in this county
are able with their money to get
little coal, and they are managing to
get along.
- don't mean to give you the i'm
preston that the county does not need
help. Every one almost needs seed
for the spring, but in the meanwhile |
believe we can keep our people from
absolute destitution. The committee
is giving aid only where it is positively
needed, and then only in the line of
the necessities of life. We have got in
two car loads of coal here and there
are six more on the track at Calvert.
The churches have got in some relief
supplies, and the Ancient Order of
United Workmen and other benevo-
lOnt societies have distributed some
among their members. There seems
TO be a general disposition to help one
another among all classes of people,
which Is very commendable. Most OF
che people here are free from mort
cages, and if it had not been for two
successive crop failures wouM be com
fortably well OFF,"
The county is out of debt, but had
few available funds for the relief Of
the poor. Small warrants are being
drawn for flour, and one or two citizens
| III tt.Er lA 1l,,l Il - -
coal. Dundy County has raised some
fine crops in its time. and its people
have been as frugal as the average
community. But the strictest frugali-
ty can hardly suffice to carry farmer
over two almost complete failures of
the land.
There are two large bitches off the
Republican river at Haigler, which
cost $4,000 and irrigate several thou
sand acres. Near Benkleman there
are three or four small ones. Upon
this irrigated land was raised the only
grain and vegetables grown in the
county. There is some timber back
from the river to which the people
have helped Themselves for several
years, although it is private property.
At least two or three hundred families
have left the county, and deserted
Il
try road. Back in the county, twenty
miles or SO from the railway, persons
are found who are very nearly at the
end OF their stock of provisions. Fuel
is much needed and hard to get.
| The pensions drawn by the Old
soldiers constitute about all the income
the farmers have and living is more
than economically has been reduced
almost to the. verge OF beggary: but
not quite, for these veterans and their
sons are proud and spirited fellows,
who would sooner starve than beg. 1t
is hard, though, for the mothers and
children to live on such fare as is
general. Many have not much better
food than the chickens or beasts Of
burden. The coarscst and cheapest
flour, and even bran in some cases is
used, Meal is not to be had, except in
rare cases. Stock had to be sacrificed
and hogs and chickens have long since
gone whore there is better feed or
have been killed. Many died from
want Of proper sustenance. One farmer
said: I'VE are living from hand 20
mouth, with the mouth away ahead Of
the hand. was hailed out in 1892
and burnt out in 1893 and 1894, and my
six dollar pension is what keep3 us
| from starvation | have not asked for