Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1895-01-03
DESTITUTION.
Terrible Distress Existing in West
ern Nebraska.
PEOPLE WANTING FOOD AND FUEL.
Coal Most Needed in the Drought-Stricsen
Districts-Nany Persons Frozen to
Death-Great Demands on the
State ReIiof Committee.

DENVER, Col, Dec. 31.-Dispatches
from western Nebraska received here
tell of the restitution and distress pre-
vailing among the inha bitants of the
drought-striclzen districts. A dispatch
from Hastings says:
Terrible restitution exists in Perkins, Chase
Dundy. Lincoln, Hayes, Hitchcock and From
tier counties. and the worst OF the feature is
the people in several localities are afflicted
with scuryy for want OF wholesome food The
state relief committee ind themselves unable
70 relieve all the p3ople in distress, great
are the demands for aid. The railroad men re-
port that since the cold snap no loss than a
dozen people have persisted in the above coun-
ties IN the past two days for want OF food and
fuel Hundreds of families are without coal.
and In the border counties, where no trees OF
brush exists, the poor people had hard time
to keep from freezing to death.
In Perkins county the restitution is oom-
plete. Over 800 families are appealing for
help. Near Lisbon the wife and two children
of Settler Burns died for want of proper
nourishment and clothing to cover theIn. In
Hitchcock county the wife OF one OF the set
tiers gave birth to twins during the storm. and
before the neighbors could reach her home the
poor woman expired for want of sufficient food
and attention. The twins are still living and
in charge OF charitable neighbors.
Coal is most needed in the drought district
and Mr.. Ludden.of the state relief commission.
and General Manager Holdredge, of the Burling
ton Missouri RiVer, are doing everything in
their power to forward supplies to the more
destitute localities. Very few OF the farmers
In the border counties have any stock left, haV-
ing let their cattle and horses roam at lal ge.
Stock is being driven out of the state to pre-
vent starvation. Corn planted in eight ten
OF the western counties never reached a height
Of over six inches and contained no more
nour1Shment than sage brush. People
leaving in covered wagons by the hundreds,
rather than face starvation and freeze to death.
More or less restitution exists in every county
from the Colorado lire east to Hall and Adams
counties and the various relief committees are
overwhelmed with appeals for aid.
A dispatch from Curtis says:
Great distress prevails throughout this
and surrounding counties, owing to crop
failures the past two seasons. Re-
lief committees have been organized in
almost every precinct and solicitors sent east
for aid, several loads Of which have been
received. This, with what aid the county has
been able to give. has alone prevented suffering
among the people and stock The outlook is
extremely dark. owing to the scarcity OF food
and seed grain, the two articles now most need
lilies on its list worthy and needing assist
ance.
A Lincoln dispatch says:
The most distressing reports come in from
LII over the western part of the state relating
to the woeful lack of food and clothing. No
deaths certainly attributable to starvation
have yet been reported, although If is claimed
that woman and two children found dead in q
cabin near Niobrara the morning before Christ
mas died from lack of food and care. There
are thousands who could not withstand the
rigors OF cold spell without aid, which is be-
ing sent out in generous supply BY the relief
commission wherever it is known to be needed.
over the country and shipped directly to the
needy in car lots