The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-15
DAYS OF HOPPERS.
Glimpse of Records When State
Called for Relief.
Legislature Did Just Like the
Last One.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE
Well Known Kansans Managed
Distribution.
Nearly $4,000 Was Collected
for Sufferers.

Twice since the civil war, Kansas has
been visited by a widespread calamity.
Once was in 1874 when the scourge of
grasshoppers devastated the state. The
second great disaster was the flood of
1903.
In each case the legislature was called
together in special session, did nothing
except authorize certain county bond
issues, and adjourned.
In each case a great relief fund was
collected, and vast quantities of sup
plies were sent in. 1t is impossible, how
ever, to make satisfactory comparison
of the magnitude of the relief funds.
The grasshopper relief was nearly all
handled through a central committee,
acting for the whole state. The flood
relief was handled through dozens of
different committees besides the one
central fund collected in response to the
proclamation of Governor Bailey
The total amount of cash contributed
to the grasshOpper relief fund, including
freight rebates and sales of grain, was
$73,S63.47, nearly -nine-tenths of which
was sent in from outside the state.
The state flood relief fund amounts
at present to $39, 711.74. Besides that the
fund used in Topeka amounted to $751;
590-61. Kansas City, Kan, had a fund
of about $50 900. Lawrence had a fund
to about $500. There were smaller
funds in other towns, and the grand
total contributed was probably very
close to 5000, 900. OF this amount, prob
ably one-half was raised inside of the
state.
In an official report now very rare
published by the state in 1875, there is
given a very complete and interesting
account of the work done by the Kan
sas central relief committee, appointed
m 70 fa IF the Of
relief to the sufferers by the plague of
grasshoppers. This committee was
made up of the following we'll known
Kansans:
E. s. Slower, lieutenant governor,
chairman; Henry King, editor of the
Commonwealth, secretary; F. w. Giles,
president of the Topeka National bank,
treasurer; NJ. E. Hudson, master of the
state grange; David J. Brewer, justice
of the supreme court; John Fraser, state
oveFseer state grange; Alfred Gray,
secretary State Agricultural society; f.
S. McCabe. Presbyterian pastor; 0. L.
WEIGH, president Topeka board of trade;
S. T. Kelsey, state board of agriculture;
A. L. VOORHEES,, Russell county; Rev
w. c. Tenney, Douglass county; C. H.
Dickinsora county,. E. n. Nor
ril1, Brown countys. j. H. Edwards, Ellis
county; Thomas murphy. mayor of
Atchison; G. A Thompson, Harvey
county; NJ. NJ. Murdoch, Sedgwick
c. w. Blair, Bourbon county;
Preston B. Plumb Lyon county.
F. S. McCabe acted as president pro
tenn of this committee when Mr. Slower
was absent The committee was or
ganized November 10, 1874. and the re-
port was made June 20. 1875.
On November 20, 1874, the committee
drafted a statement of the conditions,
to THE citizens of Kansas
and the people of eastern states" This
report was intended for the same pur-
pose as was the proclamation of Gov
ernor Bailey during the recent flood, out
it went more into detail, and set 1orth
the needs more fully.
Concerning the action of the legisla-
ture. the committee makes the following |
comment. which may be construed as a
'.Appreciating the extent of the dis
aster which had befallen our people, |
and having full faith in the ability or |
the state to provide for her own destl- |
tute. the governor convened the leglsla-
lure in extra session in September. Inc |
legislature held that under the constitu- |
ton it had not the power to make APP
direct from the treasury. 1t |
Hid. however authorize certain frontier |
counties to issue their own bonds in ald |
If the necessities of it's citizens. For |
varfous reasons not necessary mere TO |
the legislative action has
failed TO relieve the wants of the peo-
ple."