Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-24
TO AID SUFFERERS
Ottumwa People Contributing For
Reliefof Famine Striken People.
GRIM WANTIN NORWAY AND SWEDEN
Governor A. 8. cummins Appoints
Commission 10 Solicit Funds-PIea
Made for Mayors and Ministers to
Assst-Rev. Gunberg Moves.

Philanthropically inclined persons
in Ottumwa are responding to the
proclamation recently issued by Gov
ernor A. b. Cummins calling for dona-
tions to aid the famine sufferers in
Sweden, Norway and Finland An
other movement has also been started
among the Swedish-American resi-
dents of the city by Rev. A. Gunberg,
pastor of the Swedish Lutheran
church, for the purpose of raising
funds for the sufferers 1t is probable
that considerable sum will be raised
in Ottumwa. Governor Cummins has
interested himself in the want and
suffering of the people in those coun-
tries and has appointed a commission
to take the proper steps to provide
funds for their relief. G. j. A. Eric
son, of Boone, has been made presi-
dent of the commission and charitably
persons and organizations have been
urged to send contributions to him.
The following proclamation has been
issued by the governor:
A Proclamation.
THE severe famine now prevailing
| in the northern parts of Sweden and
! Norway, and in Finland, is accompa-
MED by an intensity of want and suf
fering that have deeply touched the
generous and sympathetic people of
this state. believe that there are
many of our noble men and women
who desire to give something from
their abundance to alleviate the dis
tress OF their unfortunate brothers
! and sisters across the sea, but have no
opportunity to do So.
Therefore l. Albert B. Cummins,
| governor of the state of Iowa. do here
by appoint C. ]. A. Ericsson of Boone,
| B. Anderson of DEBORAH, Z. f. Wen
nerstrum of Des Moines, j. B. Harsh
of Creston, r. A. Hasselquist of Char
iton. V. L. Gilje of Elkader, c. L. Dahl
berg of Des Moines Abel Anderson of
Sioux C4-y, A. l.. Frisbie of Des
Moines and Ole o. Roe of Des Moines
needed charity and take such action
whatsoever it can to facilitate their
work
in testimony whereof have hereunto
set my hand and caused to be affix-
ed the great seal of the state of Iowa
this 10th day of February, A. D.
1908. Albert B. Cummmins.
BY the governor:
"W. B. Martin, Secretary of State"
Call From Commission.
The commission has issued the fol-
lowing call for aid, asking that the
mayors of cities and the ministers
take hand in raising subscriptions
for the famine stricken people:
ITO the people of Iowa:
4 Your attention Is called to the
above proclamation of the governor,
regarding the famine in the Scandina-
Wan countries.
Because of the distress existing to-
day in the northern part of Sweden,
Norway and Finland. which as al
ready been given considerable public
ity by the press, and which has caused
Governor Cummins to issue this pro-
clamation asking Tor aid for these
destitute people, we, the commission
appointed by the governor, do hereby
appeal to each anu all who are able
and willing to lend helping hand
in time like this. to forward from
time to time such contributions in
money as they may be able to give.
From reliable reports made by par
: ties who have been sent to these famine
stricken districts by American news
papers, to make investigations, we
learn that there are 100000 Swedes
and about as many more Norwegians
and Firms who are so destitute that
; they are at this time facing actual
starvation and who must be cared fol
until another crop can be raised.
"As cause for this aestitu..on it may
be well to state that the last season S
crops of these people were destroyed
: by unusual rainfalls, floods and early
frosts, following on the heels of which
disasters came an early and severe
!. winter. The destruction of crops has
been so complete that at this time
. more than half of their cattle and
. horses have been killed either for use
as food or because there was nothing
to feed them. Not even grain enough
! has been saved with which to SOW the
next years crop. In fact, the condi
, tons existing there are such as beg
gar description, and certainly such as
strongly appeal to human sympathy
and call for aid from the benevolent
people of our state The details of this
famine have been set forth so graph
:. ically by the press of this and neigh
boring states that we do not deem il
necessary to more than call attention
d to the conditions and needs of these
Q communities. The cause or humanity
!, demands that quick and concerted &C
on be taken whereby such suffering
may be relieved. Governor Cummin!
0 having taken the initiative in this mat
S ter, we make this appeal to the goot
i people of Iowa, feeling confident tina
:, we shall find ready and Cheerful
response. God has beautifully bless
ed us as people with plenty and t,
:, spare, and is it not incumbent on Iii
: to show our gratitude by sharing ou
y y abundance with those who are in sucl
!. sore distress?
I'VE therefore respectfully ask tina
the mayors of our cities and towns
V and the ministers of the differen
n church organizations throughout tn,
I state take such steps as may seem t,
e them proper and necessary for the pur
4 pose of bringing this important mat
!. ter before the people of Iowa. to tn,
4 end that aid may be secured for thi
!, most worthy object