New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-05
DEsTITrTION on THE SEA ISLANDS.
Dalton. Mass. June 10. 1895.

THE NEGROES CONDITION APPALLING AND THE
NEED OF HELP IMPERATIVE.
To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: Upon my return from England last March. I
took up the work OF relief FOR the poor the Sea
Islands and adjacent mainland assigned me by Mrs.
Mather II did surprise 10 the desi-
tuition I found for knew when left of the work
las, June that the crops OF that year did not promise
enough to help the situation No one but those in
tlmately acquainted with this section can form an
Idea OF the true condition of the poor coorei
farmers. II Is simply appalling that In this fabu-
lousy wealthy country much misery can be
crowded into small an have never seen
the like. although my travels have been somewhat
extensive.
Tho negro here to-day is just exlstlng-no more
and there is the best kind OF a chance that he viii
die OUT this summer unless help comes 10 It'd .
him over until his crops mature The local n-r,
chants have yet made advances this year
and. | understand. DO intend to: In fact. they
say they not In condition TO do anything
What does this mean? II means crops FOR
great many OF the people. and crops means
greater suffering next year. and whore will 1t all
end Who dare prophesy? The outlook is fearful
and ought to be seriously considered by most
sober minded rulers.
Returning from Journey this morning ! was
first stopped by widow who called int. her
house and beseeched me for aid. said she hadn't
a spoonful OF grts In the pace and didn't know
where the next mouthful was coming from. She
was too Ill to walk Mrs Mather's (four
miles). promised to send provisions TO her
my return to Matheron. Her crops well
worked. and all she needs is sustaining until July.
My next stop the widow Frazier's. whose
husband brutality murdered last Fourth OF
July She and the whole Of her family. with the
exception OF sick daughter. were at work In the
cornheld She said We all went TO bed hungry
last night and Amt eaten anything this morning
az was o'cocD but ives got 10 work the
grass Will destroy the crops ] told her TO send
one OF the children TO Mrs. Mather's with a bag
and would she had some grits or meal. came
Mather home half an hour before the poor boy was
at the gates wet through with perspration. eagerly
waiting for his bag to be filled. He must have run
all the way to be In after me. Another
man. Jim Robinson. with a houseful OF sick
children, whose sickness was caused through ca ting
too freely OF backberries begged for grits so they
could get change OF diet TO make them We'll. He
told OF nelghbor VINO had lost three children
through sickness caused by hunger. This man
brought a note OF recommendation from a leading
white physician OF Beaufort. Another what
Is the use Of this recapitulation OF miseres? II is
the same tale OF privation. sickness DEATH until IL
sorrow TO sympathetic minds
Who Will lay these facts before those who are able
are wretchedly paid. Phosphate laborers are now
paid so cents day only-the old price was Stand
farm hands IS TO 90 cents. This IL bad enough but
II Is not all stores at the mines charge these moor
retail prices for every thing they buy and unless
the men patronlze these stores they get the cold
shoulder from the bosses when they ask for work
This Is the way the man and brother is being
elevated by those here who say the friends In
the North are making pauper OF him by helping
him. His crime Is poverty under a black covering
this Is ALL and 1t Is the plain. nnyarnished truth
Beaufort. S. c.. June TO- 1886