“Watauga Will be Cared for,” from the editorial page of the Watauga
Democrat, Boone, N.C., August 3, 1916,
R.C. Rivers, proprietor
The good Old North State is acting nobly in her efforts to
provide for the destitute in the flood-swept sections within our borders, tens
of thousands of dollars already having been raised by Greensboro, Charlotte,
Winston-Salem and other cities and towns in the State.
Our sister county of
Caldwell, who has suffered so fearfully from the effects of the flood, has
taken the situation in hand, and will care for her own people, courteously
refusing any outside help, for the present, at least. In the Mortimer and
Edgemont sections of the county, there are 19 families, representing 110
people, who are, temporarily, on the charities of the people. The people of
Buncombe county are also taking care of their unfortunate sufferers.
The
stricken people of Wilkes were the first to receive outside aid, and probably
needed it the worst. But, what we started out to say, is, that when the first
news of the terrible destruction wrought in the western part of the State, and
an appeal for national aid was made, Watauga was in the list of destitute
counties for which an appeal was made. Watauga, to be sure, has received the
hardest blow ever, but conditions are not so bad, by a great deal, as they were
first considered. ‘Tis true the loss in crops, etc., has been considerable, but
fortunately no homes were wrecked, and all still have a good fighting chance
for a living, as the demand for labor just now is great, and if, perchance a
little help is needed, the generous hearted people of this God-favored county
will come to their rescue, which they are eminently able to do.
To be
remembered by friends in the outside world, when we are considered in want, is
indeed gratifying, and how it is appreciated can never be expressed, but at
this juncture we are pleased to announce to the big-hearted philanthropists who
were endeavoring to contribute to our needs, that it is not needed; in fact, we
believe that it is the duty of Watauga, when we consider how doubly blessed we
have been through the fearful ordeal, to contribute to the relief of the
stricken in other counties, where homes, crops and lands were carried away by
the rushing waters. Watauga is all right yet, but for the majority, the next
year will doubtless be hard enough to demand the most rigid economy we have
ever known.
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