The Punta Gorda herald., 1922-11-17
'GLADES PEOPLE ARE IN
DISTRESS; CALL FOR AID
Ruin of Crops by High Water and
Closing of Banks Disastrous 10
Moore Haven Folk

A call for "near-home relief as
it is expressed, is contained in the
last issue of the Moore Haven Times,
the newspaper published at the city
whose name it bears.
Following unprecedented rains,
which nave completely destroyed
crops in the Moore Haven section,
the two banks there were forced TO
close their doors to avoid ruin, and
even those who have money cannot
draw it out, both banks being in the
hands of the comptroller pending ad
justment OF their affairs. Business
of every kind is at a standstill and
conditions generally are critical-but
let the Times tell the story:
This is not a called for charity,
but an urgent request for neighborly
accommodation. Get that?
Both banks Of Moore Haven are
closed. Crops have been destroyed
by unprecedented rains, and for the
time being, all lines of industry are
at a standstill. All the ready money
of this locality is tied up in the
stranded banks. Our merchants feel
that they must demand cash for their
goods or face bankruptcy.
THE result, briefly told, is that
people who have always had comfort
able bank accounts and unquestion-
able credit at the stores are in q
state of actual want Added to these
are many less fortunate who depend
ed on their days work for their daily
bread and are now left in destitute
circumstances.
when disaster overwhelms a com
munity in this country the great
hearts OF the American people re-
spond with ready relief from every
quarter. This impulse to help is not
confined TO the borders of our own
country, but extends to foreign ma
tions. Near-home relief is no less
urgent in the Everglades. $780,
10000 is needed at once to relieve
the situation.
Financial assistance. must be OBJ
tanned at once to avert suffering.
One hundred thousand dollars is suf-
ficient to place this section of the
Everglades on its feet and start the
wheels of industry rolling. NO
PART OF THIS AMOUNT IS ASK
ED AS CHARITY, unless you pre-
fer TO make it so. The people of
this part of the Everglades have an
unfaltcring faith in their country and
it's ability to come back and fulfill all
the tiattering predictions made in its
behalf. For the time being we are
down but NOT OUT, We have not
only had to survive the havoc
wrought by the clements within, but
the evil efforts Of the Everglades
knockers without. And the latter
has been by far our worst enemy, in
that the knocker has destroyed our
community credit and closed our
banking institutions.
Under these circumstances ana
conditions, we are forced to send out
this $. O. S. call to our friends and
ask for a neighborly accommodation !
in the shape of loan OF from $500 |
up to any amount you choose to offer !
We hope to be able to return TO you |
every dollar of the money with in |
terest plus our everlasting gratitude. |
REV. 7. NJ. Lee, pastor of the |
Moore Haven Methodist church, is |
the chairman OF the Relief Com |
mittce. The Relief Com
mittoe will pay out these funds
on the order of the Loan Com
mittoe of the Moore Haven CONNER
cial Club, which committee will make
a careful investigation in each case
and make loans only to those in actual
need, taking therefor the regular
form Of promisory note. These notes
will be held by the Loan Commit
tee" for collection. As the notes are
paid this committee will distribute
the fund among those who have fur
nished this "rcar-h elief-Ioan."
If collections are made in full, your
money will be returned dollar for
dollar, with interest. If they are not
paid in full you will be out that
much.
The Times will publish list each
week of those who have contributed
to this ''near-home relief loan"
If you can lend from S5 up 10
these people in distress. or if you
wish TO make an outright donation
10 this cause, take the money or your
check to either of the three Punta
Borda banks, where the money will
be received and forwarded to the J
proper persons at Moore Haven.
Oranges and grapefruit will not be
shipped from Eifers until the fruit a
is in good condition. The Sans ! a