Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1914-03-06
AID NE|GHBOR,'
KANSAS MOTTO
Good Samaritan Movement to
Lead to Big Nonritualistic,
Nonsecret Fraternity
no FEES OR DUES ARE EXPECTED
Farmers Till Soil for Sick and Needy,
Pledged to All All Victims of Mis-
fortune - Adversely Brings Out
Best in Human Nature.

being started in several towns and
communities in the western half of
Kansas for the organization of
great fraternal society to be known
rs "The Good Samaritans." No lodge
dues or initiation fee will be re-
quired to become a member of this
order.
There will be no ritual or secret
work. The password, Lets help
our unfortunate neighbor," will flash
over party line telephone wires out
In the country; and that will be all.
Then the Good Samaritans" will
assemble at the home of the sick
neighbor, gather his crop, cut his
alfalfa, drill in his wheat or do any,
thing else needed about his farm.
With the Good Samaritans" will go
their wives and daughters to prepare
the meals while the men are at work.
And they will take with them such
provisions and condiments as may
be necessary
The spirit of neighborly friendship
and helpfulness never was so strong
in this great agricultural region as
now. 1t probably is due to the heavy
losses many of the farmers sustained
by reason of the drouth.
In all the years of Western Kan
sas history crop failures, plague Wis
itations and other misfortunes have
served to cement and strengthen the
friendships among the people. In
such seasons and times the best that
Is in the men and women of the
prairies comes to the front.
Ralph McClarin lay helpless on a
bed of sickness. On the farm he had
rented were 130 acres of land which
had to be seeded. He was poor and
could not afford to let the land lay
idle. He was working day and night
to get the wheat crop in. Three
days before he would start his drill
he was stricken with paralysis. The
prospect of losing his crop and fac
ing the winter destitute was enough
to make him heartsick. But Ralph
McClarin lived among Good Sa-
maritans," in Kansas community,
where men and women are human
and neighbors are kindly. AS soon
as Mr.. McClarins condition became
known fifteen neighbors drove to his
place, seven miles southwest of
Lewis.
They brought with them twelve
grain drills and fifty-siX head OF
horses. Within five hours they had
drilled the wheat in on his 120 acres
of land. 1t was jolly occasion and
was followed by merry dinner,
served by the women folks of the
neighborhood.
Verne .Parnell, who lives near Hav-
Hand, has been sick for months. He
could not get his wheat crop in.
Nearly 800 acres of land was lying
untended, and time was flying rap
idly. Worry over the failure to drill
in his wheat was breaking him down.
But there were Good Samaritans
near Haviland, too One day last
week fourteen neighbors drove in,
and they had thirteen wheat drills
going all day long. When they had
finished they had 2S7 acres of wheat
sowed.
Harvey Rezeau, who lives near Gull
lison, was in the hospital. Just be-
fore he was to start sowing his
wheat he was taken down with ap-
pendicitis, and was hurried to hos
pital for an operation. Worry over
his unsown crop was doing him more
|
geons said. Saturday the Cullison
Red Men tribe had special con
vocation" at the Rezeau farm. Those
braves started in early in the morn
ing and by 8 o'clock had his ITO
acres of wheat land properly sowed.
Then they telegraphed Rezeau at the
hospital to cheer up.
Frank Kralik, of near Claflin, also
was behind in his farm work. A
cancer on his face made it necessary
for him to go to the hospital a
month ago. Mr.. Kralik returned
home last week to find his wheat
covering the ground and ready for
pasturing While he was at the hos
pital nine of his neighbors, busy as
they were with their own crops,
drove into his S0-acre field and drill
ed in his wheat
All over Western Kansas these evil
dences of fraternity and friendship
among the country people are noted.
The spirit of helpfulness and neigh
borly kindness is reaching into every
community. 1t is one strong tie
that binds the people of the pralries
together and helps them to battle
successfully against encouragement
and adyersity