Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 February 1875 — Starving Kansas. [ARTICLE]

Starving Kansas.

We have'permission to publish the following extracts from letters written by former residents of Jasperscounty, now in Kansas, to friends in this place; Wichita, Kan., Jan. 29, 1875. S. P. Howard, “mu. _ x : Rensselaer , Ind. ® As Kansas and her grasshoppereaten district is a main topic* East as well as West, I thought a word from us might be of interest to you. Kansas lias been thought to be the best advertised State in the Union; certainly there can be no doubt on that point now. It lias been advertised to the world as one of the best agricultural countries in existence-—especially the great Arkansas Valley region. I have seen very many overdrawn pictures of the products of the soil, yet from the first season here I have been favorably impressed with this part of the State as an agricultural and stock-growing country. I consider the soil as good as the besffoff Indiana, and the advantages for stock-raising far surpass any locality as far north as Northern Indiana ; yet to-day it is peopled with the most destitute inhabitants that it has ever been my lot to behold. But when you recollect that this country is just being settled, and that a large majority are poor people who had little means when they came here which they have exausted in improving their new homes, you will easily perceive that when the grasshoppers swept over the country, all were left in poor circumstances, and many, very many, destitute. The destitution is more extensive, and far greater, than it was at first supposed to be; aud it must grow still worse. The great wants will be feed for teams and seed for spring planting. A large breadth of wheat was sown in this county, and so far the prospects for a good crop could not be l etter. The health of people is good. This country cannot be too highly recommended for persons with diseases of the lungs. Our winters are short, and the climate is mild. In fact, I can hardly write anything about the country without branching off on its beauties and advantages, notwithstanding the great destitution which prevails here now. But as this is jjur first failure, we hope it is also the last, and look forward in anticipation of a grand future for the Arkansas Valley. Respectfully, jfcc., . D. L. Green. Charleston, Greenwood Co.. Ks. v January 23, 1875. Eli Yeoman, Rensselaer , Ind, We have had severe oold weather for nearly a month; on the Bth instant the thermometer indicated 8° below zero. It has been very ; dry since last June. Rad only a fewlight showers last fall; have had only enough snow to whiten the ground twice. The first part of

winter was open and mild, which was a God’s blessing for the popr. There are hundreds in Kansas who are suffering tor the necessaries of life. I can Cowit many who would gladly work for their board if they could get it to d©j but work is not here for themx- • • • There is nothing to sell, and it there was we could not get the fourth part of its value. . . . . 1 have thought back East they who have plenty and to spare think it is all a hoax about people here suffering for lack of food and clothing; but had thev been here three days after the hot winds set in, or while the earth was covered with grasshoppers; they would not doubt that we really are in need. For nearly two weeks I saw the whole face of the heavens clouded with grasshoppers and at times the son was darkened as

I they passed.

J. H. YEOMAN.