Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 September 1881 — MICHIGAN’S CALAMITY. [ARTICLE]

MICHIGAN’S CALAMITY.

r . Proclamation by the Governor Of the State. The following proclamation has been issued by the Governor of Michigan: Executive Mansion,) Landing, Mich., Sept. 19. ( To the People of the United States: On the 15th inst., in behalf of the homeless sufferers by the late fires in a portion of onr State, we asked the people of this country jo contribute to their great distress. Since that time I have visited the burned district and traversed a great portion thereof, driving through the ruins. The knowledge thus obtained satisfied me that the former estimate of 200 persons. having perished in the flames was correct, and the further estimate that there are 15,000 of these sufferers now dependent upon the generosity of the public was not exaggerated. The fire district covers a territory Of about 1,800 square miles, about onehalf of which escaped the flames and the other half is a blackened waste, the destruction of property being pretty evenly distributed over the whole"territory. This is an agricultural county, with occasionally a village, or small business center, where were flouringmills, saw-mills, stores, churches, etc., etc. Many of these places and their industries were wholly destroyed, and in the farming portions, in the track of the fire, nothing#was left for man’s use but the land. Barns, cattle-sheds and structures or every kind that remain are being utilized as temporary shelter for the homeless. Hospitals for the care of those who suffer from burns are already established. They are fairly supplied with volunteer physicians and nurses. Among the latter are some good Sisters of Charity who are doing most efficient work. The exposed and overcrowded condition in which thousands are now living will necessarily increase the sickness and add to the needs of medical treatment and provisions for the care of the sick. Food is furnished by those whose homes were spared and by those outside of the burned district. There is little suffering from hunger in the main. The want of bedding is one cause of real distress. Stations for the distribution of supplies are established at convenient points and under the supervision of efficient individuals and committees. Careful lists are being prepared by personal investigation of the Joss of each family, with data, showing their necessities. These are to be used to insure a judicious distribution of supplies. The whole work of those to whom the contributions have been intrusted gives evidence of having been inaugurated and conducted with care, skill and fidelity. In this good work the people of Port Huron, from their proximity to the scene of disaster, were first upon the ground, being represented by a committee composed of some of the best citizens, prominent among whom was United States Senator Omar D. Conger. By the exertions of this effieient organization, aided by the manageis of the Port Huron and Northwestern railroad, extra trams with relief reached the sufferers before any could come from more remote points. In conjunction with other organizations the work was begun, and it is being prosecuted yet Most of the people whose destitution appeals to tho benevolence of the public are purely agriculturists. They were in a thrifty condition, considering the time they had occupied these lands, but had no accumulated surplus. They are dependent upon the productions of their farms for support There are few, if any, manufacturing industries near them to give them employment. The aid extended to the unfortunate by those whose homes were saved will soon exhaust the surplus of the latter. What these people require is aid to procure such necessities as will enable them to live and till their lands. They must have food until the harvests of 1882 are gathered. Anything short of this will fail to accomplish the undertaking. The first effect of this disaster was to stupefy and paralyze the energies of thr people. The prompt encouragement received has stimulated them to new efforts to help themselves. With the bare land and their labor only left they will begin to build anew." Already many are constructing log houses, and every available team is being worked with vigor to put in wheat, the seed for which is furnished by the relief committees. They appreciate their condition and the necessity for labor, and will struggle hard to do their part as they have an opportunity. I have thought it due to the public, who have read the appeals heretofore made, to lay these results of personal inspection before them. The necessity for continued assistance to enable the sufferers to go through the coming winter and to become self-sustaining is in nowise abated. The well-known generosity of the American people has never been invoked in a more meritorious cause. David H. Jerome, Governor.