Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 February 1893 — THE “SUNNY SOUTH.” [ARTICLE]

THE “SUNNY SOUTH.”

Great Destitution in Louisiana—Four Thousand People Starving. Four thousand people in Cathahoula and Concordia parishes, in the northern portion of Louisiana, are on tho verge of starvation. Information was received, Tuesday, that the people have been driven to desperation by suffering and hunger, and unless aid is promptly sent them, many deaths from lack of food will bo the result. Th 6 floods of last summer destroyed the crops of the farmers, and the water remained on the earth long that it was Impossible to raise cither corn, cotton or sugar cane, and nothing was planted except some quick maturing vegetables late in the season. These were soon exhausted, however, and the farmers were compelled to sell nearly all of their earthlypossessions to secure food. This was only a temporary make-shift to keep the wolf from the door, and when they had nothing else to sell, the people went to the swamps and killed squirrels, rabbits and raccoons. Scarcely a family in this blighted territory has had a hearty meal for many weeks. Gaunt-cheeked babes and holloweyed mothers, unable to attend to their wants, are in every cabin, and In many homes the little ones lie in bed, unable to do more than moan feebly for bread. Many of the men have deserted their helpless families for the time being in in search of food, knowing their presence can do nothing toward satisfying the hunger of their loved ones, and hoping to find employment in time to save their lives.