Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1897-02-27

their starving citizens. Ouachita
parish took the lead and Natchitoches
was not slow to follow.
A state relief committee was G
lied, with Hon. Uriah Miilsaps chair
man. This alone almost insured sue
cess. Monroe, Ouachita parish, was
fixed as the central depot for supplies
and the Office of the state committee.
Parish committees were organized, and
in each ward of the various parishes
ward committees. So in this way a
census could be taken of those in i'm.
mediate want and report, the ward
committees through ~theaparish com
mittees, and they in turn to the state
committee.
1t is to be borne in mind that not all
Of the people were suffering for food,
for some of them, though raising no
crops, had credit or had saved up a liz
tie money for "hard times and truly
hard times" were upon them; and
others living near the Red or Ouachita
AiNNip uiN aio ophiStilhE' W Jew
showers seemed to follow the trend of
the streams. But Of the 10 parishes
| within the drought region those known
as the hill parishes suffered the most.
They raised absolutely nothing, and
were poor to begin with. To save
their stock from starvation they sold
them at any price. Texas and Indian
territory cattlemen took advantage of
these peoples sad condition and
bought their stock frequently at one
tenth their value. From Monroe alone
100 car loads of cattle were shipped by
these cattlemen to the Indian terri
tory, bought at from so cents to $40
apiece.
The various committees wentto work
with great system, and in a very short
time contributions began to come in
from all portions of the state, and
were distributed promptly. But the
bad became worse. Winter was com.
ing on, and the necessity of clothing
was another consideration. The state
made an appropriation of SOS, 400, and
the parishes made as liberal appropri-
ations ut their conditions would al
low. Individuals, both in and out o
the state, have been kind, ant
not q day passes but scores o.
letters are received by Chairman Mill
saps offering assistance. The American
Tobacco Co, the Great Southern Tele
phone Co. and many other companie,
and corporations have been liberal
In Gov. Fosters home parish, Frank
lin, a noble deed was done. A mass
meeting was held and made a petition
to the parish officers, asking them tt
appropriate 80, 500 to the relief fund
But it was found that the treasury wa.
empty. At this juncture 20 broad
minded, noble-hearted men walked W
and signed a note, and borrowed tn,
money on it. A special tax will b,
levied to secure these gentle man. TIL,
preachers in every pulpit IN the stat,
are making appeals. The state paper
are coming to the rescue. The New Or
leans Times. Democrat alone sent LOO
bushels of corn. The State grand lodg,
gave $l,00n The New Orleans relic
committee, with Pat McKloskey at 1T
head, has sent a large supply Of foot
and clothing. The Jockey club of tn,
Crescent city raised $500 through indi
vidual subscription and ST. 200 at
benefit. The railroads have been mos
liberal, always charging as little a
possible, when charges were made a
all. and frequently nothing. Hun
dreds of car loads of corn and mea
have been brought in over the Irol
Mountain and the Vicksburg, Shreve
port 4 Pacific railroads.
Chairman Millsaps says that on Jan
uary l the census reports OF the vari
Gus committees showed that Their,
were $4,000 people in need of help il
the drought-stricken country, and tn,
number has increased largely-not les
than 90 per cent land 1t is safe to sa,
the number at present is not less thai
$4,000 persons dependent upon tn,
charities Of state and local relic
lfunds.
To the qusstion. how nuuch corn hat
been received. Mr.. Millsnps said: 1--WE
the state relief committee, have re
eeiyed and distributed lbs car loads o
] posa, svssaging, psshsps, w bpshsl