The Green Forest tribune., 1902-03-15
HALF HAS NOT BEEN TOLD.
Among Drought Sif-
 ferers Almost Appalling.

According to late information from the drought stricken por- tions of the state, the condition of many people is distressing and unless other means than those employed are brought into use, actual starvation and death will soon result.
 The following was sent out from Salem last week over the signature of A. H. Andrus, a we'll known newspaper man:
 '"The drought stricken people in this section of the state are in need of immediate relief. Sa- lem today is full of men clamor- ing for food and clothing for their families. It is only pitiable. Great strong men who have al- ways had plenty and to spare, and have cheerfuIly shared with their neighbors in distress are here by the score, and with anx- ious voices inquire when the promised "aid" will be forthcom- ing. Sturdy farmers with tears in their eyes tell the same story of Restitution. They need help and must have it immediately. The more fortunate of the com munity are doing their full duty toward relieving the distress, but 1t is too big 8 thing to be looked after in a private way. Here are six counties in North Arkansas, all in the same pitiable condition. The S15, 1000 loaned to the state is but drop in the bucket. There are five thousand families in the six counties who must have help. At least half of these are now destitute. Fifteen thousand dol- lars will be but three dollars to each family. It will barely be sufficient to tide the people over until private donations can res- cue them.
 The picture is not overdrawn. As grand 8 people as there is on earth needs immediate assistance. The banks and business men have done all they could. It now remains for good people who are more fortunate to come to their aid and that at once. Many peo- pie of the sixteenth judicial dis trict are starving.
 From the Melville Republican of last issue THE TRIBUNE clips the following statement of c. T. Brown of Springfield, Mo-, who had just completed a trip through Izard, Fulton and Sharp counties. Mr. Brown is quoted as saying:
 "The people need aid and need it right now. 1 carried with me chopped wheat for my horses and could not withhold it from a fam fly who literally had nothing to eat. saw men go b the mill, walking three miles, and carry home from one to two quarts of feed, cattle feed, but intended for the children. saw some pitiable cases along the line of the new railroad where women and children were shivering in shacks whose only covering was cedar tops or weeds woven to- gether. In some instances there was no shelter except the blue sky. Two families had old quilts spread over poles, no side she4- ter at all. For living they had what mules would turn from in disgust.
 "In Izard county l saw a we'll todd farmer, with good build- ings, good orchard, and who is ordinarily well off. His cattle were starving to death, and but one peck of wheat remained in the house for himself, wife and seven children. He could not sell his cattle or borrow money on them, and his hogs had sim ply starved to death. And he was well off compared to some I saw! In one family in that coun- ty three children have gone de- mented through the sufferings of hunger, and the family had been contending with the cattle for elm bark. In another family an ema- ciated mother gave thin mix ture of blood and water to her