New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-10-05
AN APPEAL FOR HELP.
The Penn School on St. Helena Island
Would Aid Storm Sufferers.
- u,di.nr Of ,rhe rrrlhune

TIC the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The effects Of the devastating storm
OF August q and Is are more serious IMAM
was at first believed. Reports from the
storm-swept sea islands off the South Car
oIina coast show conditions that demand
immediate relief.
on ST. Helena Island, where the hurri-
cane struck with terrific force. the suffering
&c great. The storm ragged for thrty-six
hours. the wind blowing some Of the time,
at the rate Of 10 to 115 miles an hour.
Houses were blown down, bridges carried
away, boats were sunk, or carried so iar
inland by the tide that their recovery Is
doubtful on account Of the expense OF re-
moval. and the cotton crop. upon which the
people depend for subsistence, is practically
DESTROYED. Three-fourths of the island was
flooded, so that farmers who are able 10
save from one-thlrd to one-half their crop
will be fortunate.
over one hundred families have lost
cverything-crops, horses and other ami
mails. Winter is coming on, with no-hope OF
making another crop before next year and
the people Of the island arc facing year
of famine, want and suffering such as they
have not experienced since the great '93
storm An unusual amount Of fever and
sickness due to the flooded condi-.on Of the
island, adds distress to the situation.
The Penn Normal Industrial and Agri-
cultural School IS located on ST. Helena
Island and has been the friend Of these
negroes for tho last fifty years. The school,
which is doing all It can 10 help, has itself
suffered damage to its buildings, and in
loss Of animals and crops. The loss is es-
pecfalIy severe at this time, when the school
IS putting forth every effort TO raise fund
of $4,000 for the erection and equipment
Of Industrial buildings, which it is hoped
will be completed TO celebrate the flftieth
anniversary Of this the oldest OF the negro
industrial schools. This will open the door
of industrial opportunity 10 the seven thou
sand negroes Of St Helena and TO the peo-
pie OF the nelghboring islands, which should
mitigate in the future such sweeping dis
aster as has resulted from the recent storm.
The Penn School is the demonstration sta
ton Of the United States Department Of
Agriculture for the sea island district Last
year the farmers vino followed the depart
ment instructions more than doubled their
crops. This year they would have done
better STILL but the hurricane has swept
away the labor Of many months and left
the people destitute. Now they are looking
to the school, their oldest friend, for aid
in this time Of need and the school sends
out a most urgent appeal for relief for these
suffering families
Any help will be gratefully received.
Money can be sent to L. Hollingsworth
Wood No Wall street New York CITY
or to the treasurer Of Penn School, Thomas
p. Cope, care Of Girard Trust Company,
Philadelphia, and clothing, shoes and blan-
kets can be sent 10 Penn School, st. Helena
Island South Carolina, by the Ocean Steam
ship Company, VIA Savannah
ROSA b. COOLEY,
Principal of Penn School.
st. Helena Island. Sept. 30, 1911