The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-01-16
A. N. sfMMs.
MAYoR Russ INTERVIEWED.

MAYOR Russ INTERVIEWED.
Mayor Russ has been to the scene.
lie has been into the homes of the poor
unfortunates whose arm of support
was cut off by the death in the deeps
OF the black mine.
You know the situation, MIR. Russ,
said a News and Observer reporter,
what has the Cumnock company done
for those who were widowed and or
phaned by the awful accident III it's
inines?'
He did not reply directly.
He only knew what the suffering
people had told him.
'Will you give the News and Obser-
YER an account Of your trip" asked
the reporter.
Immediately after making an APP
peal for help from the citizens OF Raj
eigh, / visited Cumnock," said the
Mayor.
II had hoped Mr.. Jno. T. Pnllen or
Rev. j. l.. Foster would make the trip.
but they were so engaged it was inn
possible for either to go, SO the trip
fell on me.
Il went up Monday evening, Janu-
airy 9th, returning Tuesday morning,
the 18th. / attended the meeting held
on Monday evening in the Methodist
church, at Cumnock, at which com
mittee was elected to receipt for and
distribute such contributions in cash
and kind as might be received.
WORK OF LOCAL COMMITTEE.
up to this time there had been no
organization perfected. Such kind
hearted men as James Kissell, w. j.
Tally, Burns and Hood had quietly
gone forth soliciting help, and each
of these, in addition to a committee of
colored citizens, reported to this meet
ing, turning over their subscription
sheets and funds collected to the re-
lief committee elected at this meeting,
composed of Messrs. James Kissell,
w. J. Tally and w. M. Gunter."
WAS the company represented at
this meeting?
Possibly, in the person of the man
ager of the company's store, who
seems to be very pleasant gentle
man. But neither President Laugdon,
who was in the settlement, nor Super
intendent Cant put in an appearance. ;"
WAS not this little strange
Il rather thought SO; but when the
committee informed me OF the presi-
dents generosity in starting sub
scription paper with the magnificent
sum of SIS five dollars), his absence
was at once accounted for"
please read this communication
from Rev. DIR. Simms, and tell the
readers of this paper the condition of
affairs as you found them"
well, sir, give them to you just rs
they are put down in my note book,
going from house to house and OBJ
tanned in the presence OF Messrs.
James Kissell and w j. Tally, of the
committee, and Mr.. Burns, Il resident
Of Cumnock. These notes were handed
Mr.. Pullen when he left here and he
was requested to investigate further
the condition of the sufferers. You
can see him and get his statement.
THE company is entitled to credit
just in proportion to tn real help
given"
NOT EVEN OIL FOR ms BURNS.
These stories are taken from Mayor
Russ's notebook:
The first person we visited was Joe
Mills. He was horribly burned, and his
face was perfect scab. He was the
most pitiful object l ever 3eheld. In
answer to my inquiries, he said that
the Langdon-Henszey Company had
given him nothing except one gallon
of linseed oil with which to mop his
burns. Il have had TO buy all the
sweet oil / have used he said, Il am
without money, and cant get linseed
oil now without buying il. The com
pany promised to send over 10 the
Gulf after some liDseed oil, but IL