Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1918-12-13
HUNTER
Relief MOVEMENT
Senatorial Appropriation Sought for
Demlng Man Who Lost Sight
Fighting Forest Fire
[PUBLICs AssIsTANcE AsKHD
New Mexico Press Co-OpeTalion De-
sired to Help Influence Aetlon
Al Waahlngian

II q man Il injured for lie while
saving government property, and y
in the governments employ at the
time, he Is entitled q compensation
Of some sort and usually gets L. II
he saves government, municipal. pub
lie and private property, and, IN 20
doing, is injured for life, II would
seem 10 be distinctly up TO the entire
community 10 assist IN putting him
beyond the danger Of ever suffering
actral want through inability 70 earn
his Cwn living.
In 1904 there was q fierce forest
fire near Cl0udcroft, New Mexico,
which destroyed millions Of dollars
worth Of standing timber and q NUM-
Der Of camps, sawmills and other
property Of individuals. Cl0udcroft
was threatened with complete de-
struction, but the gallant efforts Of
the volunteer FIRE fighters saved the
village.
For three weeks Reuben R. Hunter,
then in his twentieth year, fought the
flames, side by side with seventeen
others. Day and night they fought,
eating, sleeping and resting IN
snatches, when they were permitted
to do so by the raging fire devila.
Outside assistance was taken 10 the
district, and indomitable man finally
won.
But young Hunter was blind the
heat and flames having utterly de-
stroyed his eyesight. The best spe-
cialists have examined his eyes, IN
the hope that some measure Of sight
might be restored, but al have de-
clared that he Is incurably blind.
] Reuben Hunter came 10 Deminn
four years ago, and has made this
his home. He learned the trade Of
broom making, and this Is his Occu-
pation. Everyone IN the village a
familiar with his cheerful face and
pleasant manner, and Il alvnys ready
. to give practical PROOF ol the syIn-
pathy that an feel Bat Hunter will
not accept charity, and. regardless Of
the number Of broonis one may buy,
possible hand production is limited,
and the earnings from that class Of
labor are necessarily small. There
fore, efforts have been made 10 obtain
governmental relief by means Of an
appropriation by the senate of the
United States.
/. In May, 1917, nearly two years ago,
: 5. j. Smith, who has been acting IN
, friendly behalf Of Hunter, received q
letter from Senator A. A. Jones, con-
veying the information that a bill had
E been drawn appropriating ten thou
Z sand dollars for the relief Of Reuben
5 Hunter, and would be introduced as
: soon as possible, but that, owing to
I the conditions born Of the war, action
: would probably be deferred until
I some future and more favorable time.
e Hunter has patiently and unconm-
= plainingly waited, but, up 10 the pres
ent, nothing further has been heard
(; from Senator Jones. Therefore, the
!, matter Is being agitated again. and
The Graphic takes this opportunity TO
= help by making an appeal TO citizens
S OF New Mexico in general and DEM
= ing IN particular 10 combine in an
: appeal to Washington.
/ This can be done BY writing letters
Il direct to our representatives in the
: house and senate, presenting the
o facts, and urging them 10 give their
J. attention to the introduction and pas
i sage Of bill. By sending a copy Of
Il this article along with the request,
% individuals may save themselves the
Is trouble Of going into much detail.
n Tan kkneoa.I I,flm~. - - ......
e to be as much a. should be awarded
Il Hunter Is today only thirty-four
'e years old, and in perfect general
le health. Before losing his sight, he
ID worked as miner, and, young as hg
was, he earned from $3.50 to s4.5l
daily. At that rate, maintainef
n through the fourteen years that hav.
elapsed since he was first afflicted
his earnings would have been oysI
I" $4,000. And, had his eyosight no
been destroyed, he would doubtless
IA have earned much more, and woul,
!, have been able to profit BY the hiehei
). scale Of wages prevalent since Europl
~ began warning.
P Our belief is that his award nhoul,
~ be $4,000, and that Il should be in
lt vested IN government bonds, and En-
te interest paid 70 him every quartcs
he In this way he win Be protectel
. AGAINST swindlers, against the posi-
q. bility Of foolish or unfortunate IN
a vestment, and would be assured o
sufficient income 70 live comfortably
: for the balance of his life.
y Not only do We urge everyone VII
v reads The Graphic 70 immediatel
- take the action suggested 70 assist
m blind man, without ally cost 70 then
Of selves except the slight effort r,
quired 70 write a letter; We 20 fa|
Ms ther, and ask that orr colleagues a
Il. over the state repriht this appeal
u. tuli, thereby joining u1 IN the Renbe
I, Hunter Relief Movement