Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 October 1889 — DESTITUTION IN DAKOTA. [ARTICLE]

DESTITUTION IN DAKOTA.

I A startling report of the destitution ex isting in the Dakotas was telegraphed Tuesday. In substance, it says the suffering and destitution ft much greater than has yet been reported. The report continues: “Ramsey county has a population of about 7,000 people. Of these about 6,000 are engaged in farming. The frost of last year cutoff the crops generally, and the farmers were obliged to mortgage their farms for feed, provisions, clothing, etc.,, to carry them through last winter. This spring personal property, such as stock., machinery, etc., was mortgaged for seed and funds to put in the crop. There has. been continued drought throughout the entire season, and the crops have been almost a total failure. The borrowed funds are entirely exhausted as well as the credit of a large number of these people 1 and I find in Ramsey county alone that, there are from 200 to 500 families, farmers generally, that are entirely destitute. In.' Nelson and Walsh counties there is also great destitution and suffering, and there are probably in this district of North Dakota not less than 1,000 families who are nearly or entirely destitute.” A large district in. South Dakota is reported in like condition. A general call for aid has been sent out. .