The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-02-06
Nebraskan NakedneSs.
A STATE AS DESTITUTE AS IF
RAvAGED BY WAR.

There has been a great deal Of talk
here 10 Alabama abou. hard times.
TIE financial stringeucy of the whole
country for a couple Of years followed
by Eve cent cotton in our own section,
has made nearly everybody feel blue.
The consequence is that nearly all of
US have been shaking our heads and be.
moaning our condition.
The fact Of it, though, is that here in
Alabama we don't know anything at
all about hard times. It is true that
not many Of us have any surplus cash,
but everybody has plenty to eat. enough
to wear and fairly comfortable roof
over his head. We don't appreciate
properly the great blessings We have.
Like health, We overlook it possession
until We lose it.
The best way for us to see how COM
Portable we really are is to consider
the condition of some Of our neighbors
in this great country. If We could but
see the situation of some of the corn
and wheat producers of the West, We
would realize how fortunate are the
raisers of cotton, even at 5 cents. Per-
haps the Advertiser can assist its read
ers in these dreary times to see their
neighbors and thereby to become cheer
full and coutent-nay, more, to discover
that of our actual abundance we eau
warm our hearts still more by the exer-
else of generosity.
In opening our mail yesterday, We
we're surprised to come across piece
of wall paper, all beAowered and be-
gilt in the usual way. It seemed a
curious thing to be carefully folded up
and mailed. Finally, in throwing it
down, the thing was turned over to the
blank side, and then we were still more
astonished. 1t was fonud to be an ex-
cuse for copy of the Weekly Tribune
of Galloway, Neb., dated January 18th
and upon that lone page Of print was
found this appeal signed by the editor ::
To Brother Printers
Aid is being sent here for the farm
ers, but We can't issue on a barrel Of
-four or side of meat, and having run
all our white paper through we are
using up the wall paper given us,
which is about exhausted and only the
Office towel is left, which has not been
washed for seven years. So ask our
brother printers to consider our situa-
ton. with 8 family to support, with
nothing coming in, and We know their
ever-generous disposition will see some
way to contribute little paper or a
couple hours work to keep my paper
going. for the good it will do the out
side world in telling them how this
afflicted, drouth-stricken district is
getting along, also to enable us to get
shoes AID proper wraps for our wife aud
our children
All communications will be cheerfully
answered and any donation will be ack-
nowledged in the press. WI ether for US
or to be divided with other printers in
this district. If other information is
needed write to Wm. Van Winkle or
the Tribuue, and | can assure any little
gift, if no more than dime, will be
gratefully received.
FRANK W. Comfy.
That is sad enough. but an examiua-
ton of the news items in the paper
shows 10 what desperate condition
that section of country is. One of the
first items is a narrowing detailed
account of the occurrence publishe d
already in this paper about the suicide
of young wife in childbirth, followed
by the self-destruction Of the husband
because of their destitution. Another
death at Arcadia, almost as distressing,
is also found. Then there is tabu-
lated report of receipts aud distribution
of food and funds by the local relief
committee. Finally there are such
significant paragraphs as these:
This week we send about fifty cop
les of the Tribune asking help. We
would send a personal letter if We had
the money to mail them, but we
haven't. so do the best We can.
TO have all you want to eat is a
luxury in this country nowadays.
This setting type with your toes out
and the thermometer ten below zero,
with fire of old exchanges, is rather
tough on half fed printer.
The relief committee at Mason City
deals out the food to the farmers iu that
community now twice week.
A fellow northeast of here stole a
sack of -four and when the officer got
there to arrest him the children we're
eating it raw.
1t is now estimated that over $1,000
have left this county last fall, 10 fact,
all who could get away went.