The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-06-10
An APPEAL FOR AID
Issued From Columbia by the Gov
srnor Of The State
IN BEHALF Of The OPERATIVES
Who are fhe Victims of the Great
Cotton Mill Disaster.

Columbia, June 6.-Telegrams re-
ceived here tonight show that the dis
aster was much greater at Clifton than
at Pacolet, in view Of the fact that it
is estimated that fifty lives were lost.
So far as the monetary loss is concern
ed it may be somewhat less; still it
was immense. One large mill was
totally destroyed and Of the others all
are more or less damaged. The appalling
feature at Clifton, however was the
loss of life caused by the destruction
of the operatives dwellings-being
washed away. Besides the dead there
are 500 men, women and children
homeless and at least 1000 people are
out of employment.
@ Some Of the facts are told in the
following telegrams received by the
Governor tonight:
Governor D. G. Hayward, Execu
tive Mansion: AS eyewitness of the
destruction and suffering in the Cliff
ton Mill districts we appeal to you
for immediate relief. A relief COM
mittee will be organized: S. McM A.
Pittman, Baptist minister; R. A.
Sublett, evangelist: j. D. Bailey,
minister; G. A. Parks, n. Petit, j.
H. Williams, magistrate; DR.. Gunter
Walker Bates Brown.
The following appeal was also receiv-
ed: Over 500 people homeless; 1000
thrown out Of employment. Many
need immediate help. Estimate of
fifty drowned. May appeal to State
for help. VIII organize relief COM
mittee and see all money properly ap-
piled. The Rev. W. j. Snyder,
Methodist minister.
The Governor promptly called into
consultation other State officers and
it was decided to issue at once an ap-
peal to the people for aid. It was
issued tonight and is as follows:
"To the People of South Carolina: ::
An awful calamity has befallen the
people of Clifton and Pacolet, where
by not only has fearful loss of life
occurred, fifty people having been
drowned and 500 men, women and chill
dren beenSrendered homeless and 4, 600
thrown out of employment at Clifton.
While no loss of life occurred at
Pacolet, nearly as many will be out OF
employment, and at least there will be
great suffering there also. Such
catastrophe, coming with such sudden
ness and without warning, places these
people today without means ano with
out shelter. Local aid is not sufficient
to overcome the great devastation and
suffering and great hardships. Even
death may result unless prompt aid
is extended. Representative citizens
being at these places and who are
familiar with the circumstances have
informed me that assistance is urgent
and requested me to call upon the
people of the State to come to the res
cue, in order that further and more
serious suffering may be prevented. l
feel that it is only necessary to let
the true condition be known in order
that the generous hearts of the people
of the State may be touched to quick
response. The people have never fail
ed in accordance with our ability;
however small it may be, but above
all let it be prompt.
"Mr. r. q. Gibbes, of the Columbia
Bank, has kindly consented to receive
all moneys that may be contributed,
and whatever may be sent him Will
be promptly dispatched to the aid OF
the sufferers.
cd. G. Hayward, Governor. :"
The following contributions were
Immediately pledged by the State oth-
GERS: Governor Heyward, $50; At
torney General Gunter, s25; Secretary
of State CAN'T, S25; Comptroller
General Jones, So; Treasurer Jennings,
SIS. Gen. Frost is not in the city:
Monday morning the Governor vii!
appoint a committee Of citizens OF
Spartanburg to take in charge the
distribution of the relief fund.
P. NJ. B.