Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-01-22
DISTRESS In BETHEL

There lS Sunerlng anQ distress In
Bethel township and along the whole
path Of the storm-swept area from
the North Carolina line down to Be-
thesda and Catawba townships" said
Mr.. I. P. Boyd, superintendent Of the
County Home, yesterday.
II know more about Bethel" he
went on, because until took charge
Of the County Home some years ago.
I lived there. and from what saw on
a recent visit, as we'll as from what I
have been picking up from old neigh
bors and friends, I am prepared to
assure the public that the situation
is far worse than most people have
any idea Of.
I'm view Of my experience with the
poor creatures who have to be sent to
the County Home, would not have
to offer a great deal of proof that I
know what destitution really is I
have seen enough to become an ex-
pert; but have no hesitation in say
ing that the condition Of many Of the
white troopers and laborers, and still
more Of the negroes up In the storm
stricken district Of Bethel township,
Is pitiable indeed.
There has been a great deal done
for these people; but not nearly as
much as is necessary. There are
many who are almost naked, so far
as clothing Is concerned, and food Is
also scarce. There Is much hunger
up that way, and while both food and
clothing are needed, the need Of cloth
ing Is probably the greater. I am
sure 1t is.
They need clothing very much and
they need 1t now. I am aware that
tributed, and that there are still 9TH
ers who would contribute except for
the fact that they. do not realize the
great need. It may not have occurred
to them that they have many an old
garment to which they attach no value
whatever; but which would be JOY
fully received by some Of the hungry,
shivering negroes and even whites,
who live along the hail-stricken belt.
What Is everybody's business Is
nobody's business you know, and for
that reason 1t is difficult to get the
old clothes and other things that can
be had for the asking, together, and
in the hope Of being able to get some
thing done, I want to ask The Enqui-
rer to help me to get out a PROPOSE
tion I have to make. That Is, that on
next Tuesday, beginning at 10 o'clock
in the morning, propose to attempt a
personal canvass Of the town Of
Yorkville, for old clothes and the like.
I want everything to be had in the
shape Of wearing apparel that any
body Is willing to give. 1t will be my
plan to first go to the houses Of the
people and find out whether or not
they have anything to give and then
go around with wagon and collect It
up. This work Is too much for one
man, and as I cannot make a thor
ough canvass in a day. I would like to
have help. A working committee Of
four or five could canvass the whole
town in a day. and give everybody
chance to contribute.
I'm order to insure plenty Of assist
ance, I suggest that all the ministers
make announcement to their congre-
cations on Sunday morning, and II
each congregation will appoint COM
mittee to help, I believe 1t will be an
easy matter to collect all the clothing
that can be needed. 1t will be neces-
sary, Of course, to make arrangements
to have the contributions shipped to
Glover and this will take little cash.
which can be raised by small contri-
buttons. l will suggest also to peo-
pie who have packages they are will
ing to contribute, If they will send
them to any Of the Yorkville dry
goods stores, on Monday or Tuesday,
the committee will take care Of the
same. Whatever may be collected
will be sent to the Bethel committee,
consisting Of Mr.. w. w. Stanton, DR..
T. y. Dulin, Messrs. s. s. Glenn, ]. L.
Currence and A. C. Harper. as these
gentlemen are all in close touch with
the cases Of greatest need. And I
want you to please say that so far
as I am concerned, I intend to make
that canvass next Tuesday, unless
other arrangements are made. I am
willing to work anywhere in this
cause, and will do the best I can"