Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 November 1889 — DAKOTA’S DESTITUTION. [ARTICLE]

DAKOTA’S DESTITUTION.

Twenty Thousand Families Suffer for the Necessities. The greater the amount of information received concerning the destitution in North Dakota the more difficult does it appear to form an adequate idea 6f the distress actually prevailing there. Not that there is any tendency to exaggerate on.the part of the sufferers, but decidedly the reverse. In fact, it is the extreme sensitiveness shown in this respect that is responsible for the apparent indifference with which the matter has hitherto been treated. In the first place, the area over vhich the distress prevails is certainly much greater than has been so far supposed. Wednesday it was estimated that fully 20,00Q.people were bordering on the last stage of destitution. The chairman of the relief committee feels convinced from information received that it was ,nearer 20,000 families, representing a total upward of 100,000 people. Such widespread; distress cis appalling. How to meet the needs of such a host is a question beyond tho power of any local committee to cope with. So far the contributions received are inadequate to the necessities of the case. A few bundles of old clothing and small cash contributions have been sent in, and the most strenuous efforts are being made to obtain and forward all possible aid for the sufferers as soon as possible. In regard to South Dakota, while the distress there is very bad, it is not to be compared either in magnitude or intensity to that in the northern State. Hrobably 1,000 families are destitute, but they can nearly a}l be taken care of by the towns surrounding the district. There is no question but that a large number of people, especially in Faulk and Miner counties,are in a condition of partial destitution. That is to say, they have experienced a failure of crops for three consecutive years, and last year the failure was absolute. They have no means wherewith to purchase either food or fuel, as their farms, as a rule, are mortgaged to such an extent that they can nog raise any more money. In Miner county there are 8,000 people, and one-tbird of them will need help. They have neither food nor fuel. In Huron county the people have organized as thoroughly as possible to furnish relief. The ladies have formed Dorcas Societies and are supplying clothings==