known as "Little Edisto," and spending the nights at a small place "just
across the creek" called "Brick House," said place taking its name from
an old and substantial brick house which had been built on that spot, at
a time ante-dating the Revolutionary War, and much honored in that
locality on account of its antiquity and the good material of which it
was built, the bricks, etc., having been imported from Holland.
On Saturday morning, August 30th, I went to my business on "Little
Edisto" as usual, and on arriving I remarked to Mr. Whaley (my employer)
how promising the crops were looking, and the bright prospects of a fine
harvest. His answer was "Yes; but I am afraid a storm is brewing, and
one of unusual severity, too, because the signs of the last few days
have been ominous of such, and I feel very uneasy." I, being young and
skeptical, of course took no heed of his prophetic words, and alas, only
a few hours more convinced me that something of unusual magnitude was
upon us. I retired that night, and on awaking next morning (Sunday) took
breakfast, and parted from Mr. W. to spend the day at "Brick House,"
promising him to return that evening and remain all night. But
circumstances intervened (which prevented me from doing so for several
days later) so appalling that even as I write them now, a cold shudder
comes over me, and all the horrors of that awful time come back.
Sunday morning dawned dull and hazy with a stiff breeze blowing from the
east and in crossing the creek, I remarked to my companion that we would
have bad weather, and on reaching "Brick House" we all began speculating
on the approaching storm (no one ever dreaming such a storm was coming),
etc., etc., and so the day wore on, the wind rising higher and higher
every moment, and towards afternoon the trees began to bend and sway in
a terrible manner, branches and limbs flying in all directions. By
sunset we were all thoroughly alarmed and moved over to the previously
mentioned "Brick House," deeming that the safest place to pass the
night, and in a few hours' time the whole population of the village was
gathered under its protecting roof, all feeling thankful a safe shelter
was provided for us. How we passed that night of terror, only God knows,
for the winds blew, the rain fell, and the tide rose, until towards
midnight it seemed as if everything was lost; but the old house stood
and carried us through until dawn of another day, and then what a sight
met our anxious eyes. What had been a smiling pretty village, was
nothing but a pile of wreckage and a mass of ruins, some houses having
been washed away completely, and those that remained, so badly damaged
as to be uninhabitable. To make matters worse even our food had been
swept away, and there we were, cut off from the island on this point of
land, wrecked, desolate and hungry, some of us with only the clothing on
our backs, all the balance gone; and as far as the eye could reach there
was nothing to see but water, and those spots from which the tide had
receded, covered with portions of houses, trunks of clothing broken open
and scattered, drowned poultry, and every crop ruined and prostrated.
After a little while we found some grist that had been saved by a
colored man, and cooking this with some saltwater and "drowned" chicken,
we subsisted till evening, when help came in the shape of water and
food.
By Wednesday I returned to "Little Edisto" and Mr. Whaley, who I had
been so anxious about during the storm. I found the brave old man
"holding the fort," and trying to save, by drying out, etc., what the
storm had left; but oh! how different everything looked. What had been
of so much promise and beauty had been literally swept from the face of
the earth, nothing remaining but ruin, desolation and death for those
whose all had been taken from them if help did not come quickly. It is
hard for those who were not there to realize such a condition of things;
but just imagine a whole island completely covered with water (and a
raging sea, at that) from three to six feet in depth. Can you wonder
that so many poor creatures were drowned or that anything was saved at
all?
Fortunately Mr. Whaley had saved some provisions which were stored in
his house out of the reach of the tide, and gathering up all else we
could find, we began issuing food to the poor hungry negroes around us,
who had been entirely bereft of their all. And there I stayed on that
little island for some time after the cyclone, giving out each day of
our own little store, food, medicine and comfort to those who came,
trusting that when that supply was exhausted, other means would be
provided to carry on the good work, thus so nobly begun; for it must be
understood that those who had, freely gave to those who had not, and the
men of that section worked hand to hand and heart to heart to help those
of their colored brethren, who otherwise must have died of hunger,
sickness and exposure.
Such then, was the condition of affairs when news was received that the
Red Cross would take the field, and a sigh of relief, and a prayer to
God went up from thousands of homeless, hungry, helpless and demoralized
people, who had gone through so much, it seemed a miracle they were
still alive. I then went to Charleston and immediately wrote to Miss
Barton offering her my services, telling her of my knowledge of the
people and the islands, and how glad I would be to help her in any way
to relieve the necessities of the thousands that were begging for help.
My offer was accepted; a telegram summoning me to Beaufort, the Red
Cross Headquarters, and there I made the acquaintance of the noble lady
who had come to our stricken people with her valued corps of assistants,
to perform a task that was gigantic in its contemplation.
I was retained by Miss Barton in Beaufort three weeks, and by practical
teaching was soon able to grasp intelligently the true intents and
purposes of the Red Cross, and able then to undertake any duty assigned
me. I was then sent to take charge of the district composed of Edisto,
Wadmalaw, John's and Kiawah Islands, the first three named being very
large islands, with a combined population of nearly 10,000 souls.
Kiawah being directly on the sea was almost entirely submerged by
tidewater, and on the other islands, those portions which were directly
exposed to the sea and the tributary streams suffered in like manner.
Cotton, the main dependence of the people, was almost totally destroyed,
and only in some localities were any potatoes and corn saved, and these
badly damaged. I found _many_ people hungry, destitute, without suitable
habitation or sufficient clothing and badly demoralized. Such, then, was
the condition of things when I took charge, and how to meet the various
problems that arose, and to cover this territory in the most intelligent
and speedy way of course became my first object. After planning a little
I soon arrived at a happy solution, and proceeded to organize the
territory into working condition.
Rockville, on Wadmalaw Island, had been selected as the most central
point to work from, and making this my headquarters and basis of
supplies, I secured a house and was soon comfortably fixed, with
sufficient supplies on hand to meet the immediate wants of the people.
To reach all these people quickly and often was the next point to be
settled (scattered as they were over an area of vast dimensions, divided
in many places by streams, at times dangerous to navigate). This
difficulty was overcome by thoroughly canvassing each island, and
establishing one or more sub-stations at the most central location, and
from these stations I would each week make my distribution of rations,
receive reports, arrange work for the coming week and transact other
business. All this time petitions of various kinds had been coming in,
and my time was fully occupied in seeking out those who were in
immediate want, among the old people and children especially, and I soon
got that settled sufficiently to give me a chance to start all
able-bodied men, that needed help, in ditching, house-building,
bridge-building and any other work I could find that would benefit the
general community; and soon I had large forces at work on each island. A
school for children was established at Rockville, which was successfully
conducted for some time, and a wharf built, which is as unique as it is
substantial, having been built by native workmen with raw materials cut
and hewn out of the woods, the piles being driven by a pile driver of
our own construction. This wharf stands to-day, a monument of strength
and an object lesson to those who were doubtful of its completion. On
the several islands much good work was done; new dams being thrown up;
bridges rebuilt and abandoned lands reclaimed. I occupied this field for
over eight months, and during that time visited every district one day
of each week and personally distributed all rations given out, thus
being certain that nothing was misappropriated. From Monday until
Saturday I would travel by team and boat, on an average of twenty miles
a day, never allowing rain, wind or anything else to keep me from
going, as some of these poor people had to walk miles to reach the point
of distribution, and I could not disappoint them and cause them to go
back empty handed. The distribution of seeds, as they came in season,
was started from the beginning, and soon gardens of various dimensions
began to spring up in all directions, thus making another valuable food
supply which was practically inexhaustible, as long as no frosts
interfered. Happily the season was propitious, and the people by these
little gardens were well supplied with vegetables of all kinds. Corn,
bean and Irish potato seed were also supplied. Knowing these people as
well as I did (having been amongst them from childhood), I had a
peculiar sympathy for them, and in every possible way so conducted my
affairs as to benefit and instruct them in the highest possible manner,
the results obtained fully repaying me for all my exertions in their
behalf. I never at any time found them anything but kind, respectful and
extremely grateful for what was bestowed upon them, and the evidences
shown to-day, amply testify to the good that was done by Red Cross
methods and teachings. Of course troubles and trials would arise, but
these were soon overcome, and things would go on smoothly again.
The methods adopted by Miss Barton, and through me carried out, gave
universal satisfaction, and all able-bodied men were willing and anxious
to work for their rations. The clothing (a large quantity), with the
exception of that given by me in exchange for labor, was distributed
through the sewing societies formed by Miss Barton.
This field was taken in December, 1893, and held till August, 1894, when
I left there, feeling satisfied that all danger from want and privation
was over. Vegetables had been abundant, still coming in, the rivers
furnishing their portion in abundance of fish, etc.; all crops promising
a good harvest, the people in the meantime having been brought safely
through the most trying period of their lives. Many incidents could be
mentioned of the trials and sufferings endured by these people, and when
the whole story is told, those who bestowed their charity in this, the
most appalling disaster that has ever visited our coast, will not feel
that it was injudiciously expended, or their kindness misplaced.
Too much cannot be said in praise of Miss Barton, that great and wise
general, on this most peculiar and difficult field, for there never was
a man or woman who labored more zealously or untiringly in a work so
varied in its character or harder to perform. Enough has been said to
tell the arduous duties to be performed, and the cares and anxieties
attendant upon a work of this kind, but after a hard day's work, the
consciousness of having made so many poor souls happy would take away
all feeling of fatigue, and long in the night would we be packing and
unpacking goods and clothing, and sometimes all day Sunday, thus showing
that no amount of time or effort was spared in behalf of those dependent
upon us.
In regard to the good accomplished by the Red Cross (a question so often
asked), can more be said than this? That human life was saved from death
by starvation; the homeless were housed, and the naked were clothed, and
by our words of counsel and cheer we were enabled to give new hope and
life to a people who were in a most pitiable condition. Some _who were
not_ on that hard fought field have been so bold as to criticise us, but
we who were there with these people in their hour of need, and worked
with them heart to heart and shoulder to shoulder, know what we did and
the everlasting good accomplished.
I kept a complete record of all goods received and everything given out,
from a pint of grits to a barrel of clothing. Committees composed of the
most intelligent men and women were formed to investigate and report for
each plantation, and as each new applicant appeared, their home was
immediately visited, and relief extended according to their needs. In
justice to all who came, I can truly say that in very few instances was
I imposed upon, as they very seldom stated other than the truth in
regard to their condition. This narrative could be extended
indefinitely, there is so much to write about, but fear I must come to a
close, as my patient readers must be tired by this time. Sincerely
trusting that these lines will convey their true meaning to those
interested, I will subscribe myself as a sincere admirer of Miss Barton
and that grand institution she so fittingly represents.
Eight thousand one hundred and nine souls were in the wards of the Red
Cross in this district, in the following proportions on each island:
Edisto 1,812
Wadmalaw 2,123
South John's 1,650
North John's 2,469
Kiawah 55
-----
8,109
Upwards of 200 packages of clothing (barrels, boxes and cases) were
given out, besides blankets, comforters, etc., special attention being
given to those who were sick, old or helpless. Food stuff was
distributed in the following amount:
Grits 1,527 bushels.
Meal 163 bushels.
Rice 672 pounds.
Wheat flour 23,980 pounds.
Bacon 7,000 pounds.
and other sundries, such as tea, sugar, canned beef, etc. Seeds were
supplied, such as peas, tomatoes, okra, melon, bean, corn, etc., of the
following amounts:
Corn 140 bushels.
Bean 60 bushels.
Irish potato 75 bushels.
Assorted seed 30 bushels.
Assorted seed 3 crates.
Garden seed 3 boxes.
STATEMENT OF WORK DONE ON EACH ISLAND.
WADMALAW ISLAND.
Twenty miles of ditching.
One-half mile of road work.
One house repaired and others rebuilt.
Three chimneys repaired and others rebuilt.
Five hundred shingles cut and split.
Six thousand feet of planking and timber hewn and cut.
Wharf built at Rockville of the following dimensions:
One hundred and ten feet long.
Ten feet wide with a bulkhead twenty by thirty feet.
A school started and carried on for several months.
EDISTO ISLAND.
Two hundred and eleven and one-half miles of ditching.
One thousand four hundred and seventy feet of causeway, twelve by
two feet, built.
Two hundred feet of timber cut and hewn.
One bridge eighty feet long and twelve feet wide rebuilt.
KIAWAH ISLAND
One bridge thirty-four feet long and ten feet wide rebuilt and put
in order.
One bridge fifty feet long and ten feet wide rebuilt and put in
order.
Lumber to do same cut and hewn out of woods.
Nine hundred feet of causeway repaired and put in good order.
The above account does not include the hundreds of little things which
would come up from day to day, and the many cares that were upon us at
all times, requiring immediate attention.
[Illustration: THE ISLAND DISTRICT FROM SAVANNAH TO BEAUFORT.]
THE CLOTHING DEPARTMENT.
Whilst food for the nourishment of these thousands of human bodies was
of the first and highest importance, it was followed so closely by the
necessity of something to cover them, that the two seemed well nigh
inseparable; and while our men stood over the boxes of meats and the
bags of grain, by the carload and the trainload, it was no less
imperative, that some one stand by the boxes and barrels of clothing
sent from, everywhere--sent by the great, warm, pitying hearts of our
blessed, generous countrywomen, from the church, with its towering
steeple and the soft-toned bell that calls to prayer, the blazing
bazaar, with its galaxies of beauty, animate and inanimate, the dimly
lighted, one little room of the woman who has toiled out all day and
returns weary and heavy laden to the waiting family of little ones, who,
in the midst of their own hard life and the need of much, still bless
God for a fate better than those they hear of--from all of these alike
come the gifts of Dorcas. In tons they come, and some one must, "stand
and deliver," as hour by hour goes out the appeal: "Closen marm--please
give me some closen. I's lost all I had!" How literally true this was
may be judged by the fact that here as at Johnstown, there were those
who came out of that terrific strife for life with no thread left on the
body but the shirt band about the neck, which a strong, well-sewed
button had served to hold.
Again, as always, we turned to our "Mistress of the Robes," Mrs. Dr.
Gardner, whose quick and clear judgment seems to double the value of all
she handles. She goes to every field, helps to organize, and remains as
long as the strength in her slender, wiry body permits. She left her
unpretending report as far as she was able to do, or to make it:
[Illustration: Copyright, 1898, by Clara Barton.
SICK WITH THE FAMINE FEVER.]
[Illustration: HUNGER STRICKEN.]
MRS. GARDNER'S REPORT.
On the first day of October, 1893, the American National Red Cross took
charge of the relief work of the Sea Islands of South Carolina. During
the month before this and just after the storm, the clothing
department had been in the hands of a very efficient local committee
composed of some of the most prominent ladies and gentlemen of the
section around Beaufort.
In the first days after a disaster of this kind, the necessity of relief
work is so great, that it is impossible to keep a correct record of
supplies that pour in from every part of the country, and this was no
exception, with both hearts, and hands full, distributing to the
thousands of destitute who were imploring them on every hand for help,
this committee had nothing to tell of what had been received.
After we took charge, a faithful record was kept, and when there was a
mark of any kind to show us where the goods came from, an acknowledgment
was sent at once. Many, many things came without a sign of any
directions to tell where they were from. In these cases close watch was
kept for any writing inside to give some clew. I have even taken the
newspaper the box, barrel or parcel was lined with, and tried in that
way to reach the donors.
The people of the United States are a most generous people, and yet so
modest with it, that they very often miss the verification of the saying
that "it is more blessed to give than to receive." Could they stand, as
do the members of the National Red Cross, and look into the glad,
grateful faces of the relieved ones, there would be no need of our
president sending out circulars and letters all over the country,
praying that articles for the relief be plainly marked. Would it be out
of place for me to urge the good people who read this report to remember
this when sending to the next field?
The distribution of the clothing had to be systematically planned. Here
was a territory 150 miles long by 50 miles wide, not on the main land,
but on islands, surrounded by water, with the most treacherous channels,
and many impossible to even get into. The people to be helped, kind and
industrious, but they had been dependent from their cradles, and were in
such a dazed condition, they hardly knew what had overtaken them.
The clothing, plenty of it, but all for adults. What was to become of
the little waifs of the wind, rain and high tide? Evidently these goods
had to be fashioned into little garments.
Bedding, comparatively none, and every few minutes the plea, "Please
miss, just a little bedding to keep the chilluns warm at night."
I have stood at my table from 7 a.m. until way into the night, opening
boxes, barrels and parcels, and not one piece of bedding to come to my
hands. The people on half rations, thinly clothed and nothing to keep
them warm of a night.
This, as well as all other puzzling questions, were referred to our most
honored president, and I have asked her to tell how she came to the
rescue, and by her wise forethought not only assisted her own workers,
but placed a responsibility upon the people that made them help each
other, and gave them a self-respect that they would have gained in no
other way.
THE SEWING CIRCLES.
There are many points in the administration of relief that will never
present themselves until forced upon the mind by the absolute
necessities of the case. It was not long until we were confronted with a
condition of things that called for ingenious methods and diplomatic
action. All _foods_ sent or purchased were always of good quality and in
readiness for immediate distribution and use--these could be given to
the committeeman, who in turn sent them out as veritable rations a
specified quantity to each. There was no question, no judgment required,
no opportunity for favoritism, no chance for reserve. But with the
clothing all these conditions changed and securities vanished. The
committeeman who came for the rations of food, took also the boxes of
clothing, and naturally claimed the privilege of distribution. The
clothing sent was very largely, as is always the case, for women and
children. This rough negro, however well versed in corn meal, hominy and
bacon, was not likely to prove a skillful manipulator of women's
wardrobes. Jealousies would arise and criminations follow. Again the
clothing was almost entirely secondhand, sent hastily, and usually so
out of repair as to be nearly useless for actual wear until overlooked,
mended, strengthened and put into proper condition. How was this to be
done? Thirty thousand people to clothe, winter at hand, little shelter,
and almost no bedding--surely _we_ could not undertake this labor. That
a poor, untaught negro laboring women, would never of herself mend a
hole, or sew on a button, even if she had a button, a needle, and
thread, and a place to do it in. How to formulate some system by which
this could be done, how to get them under intelligent direction, to get
the women interested and into the work and the men out of it, for the
committeemen were fast gaining in importance and influence among the
other men by reason of patronage, a kind of "political pull," one might
say.
I struggled with this problem some days, until finally--it might have
been the spirit of the Widow Bedott that come to my assistance--for
suddenly there flits through my perplexed mind the idea of "sewing
societies." No amendment was required, and the resolution was put and
motion carried in far less time than it had taken to evolve the idea.
Word went out at once that the president of the Red Cross, accompanied
by her staff, of ladies especially, would be pleased to meet the women
of one of the most important islands; that the meeting would be held in
the interest of the women; that they might consider it _their_
meeting--but men were not forbidden--would they kindly appoint a day,
and place of meeting, and the hour most convenient for themselves. The
church which had been repaired was selected, and its clergyman notified
us.
It was a sunny autumn day when our party crossed over the ferry and
landed on the sandy beach of Coosaw, and took our pathways through the
clumps of shrubs and trees, basking in the sunshine, but ripening and
reddening with the dying year. Soon groups of women commenced to appear
from the by paths and the little trails on either side, dressed in the
best we had given them, and traveled on with cheery faces, full of
expectation.