Relief Methods in the Field
However brilliant may be the scintillations lighting up the descriptions of the worker who sees a field for the first or the first few times, it is always to the steady-burning flame of the veteran of all the fields from the earliest to the latest, that we look for the steady light, by which we shall see the calm facts, and so far as possible, the machinery that moves the whole.
It will be remembered that Dr. Hubbell was the agent of the Red Cross in the Michigan fires of the North in 1881. We saw him in the snows of Russia, and now find him at the Islands. The doctor’s reports are always an unknown quantity. They may be but a few sentences; they may be many pages, but never too much. I will ask of him that he give his report independently, and not to me. The various topics which he will touch, render this preferable:
Dr. Hubbell’s Report
On this field there were many first things to be done. Among these were the feeding of the people, rebuilding the houses, cleaning out the wells, draining the land of salt water, clothing and placing the people in ways to help themselves; half a million feet of lumber to be rafted down to accessible points, from the mills on the rivers which emptied into the waters of these island inlets. While this was being floated down, the well men and women were instructed in different kinds of work: to take care of the helpless, rebuild their homes, and to provide shelter and food for themselves.
While the people of these islands, in great measure, own their little tracts of land, they retain the old plantation name for their home. These plantations usually contain from twenty to forty families. The inhabitants of each plantation were directed to select a representative from their own number who should be the representative and committeeman for that plantation, whose duty it should be to communicate with the Red Cross, receive and distribute supplies for his people, and be the director of the various kinds of work that should be carried on among his people. These committeemen from all over the islands would come to headquarters to receive their instruction—food, seeds, tools, clothing, and learn the methods of work.
These committeemen were received at headquarters by Miss Barton personally as well as by her officers, and careful explanations given to them that the supplies and the help that we were to give were in no way from the government, as many supposed from their memory of the old “Freedmen Bureau” days, but that they were the contributions very largely of poor people from over the country, who themselves had little to give, for the times were hard, but these had heard of the pitiable condition of the storm sufferers, and were willing and glad to divide the little they had to help them into their homes again. The funds we had in hand, they were made to understand, were very small, far less than we could wish, not likely to be much increased, and we should depend upon them to help us to use them to the very best advantage, and we would do our best in the same way to help them.
Among the early contributions were a quantity of garden seeds. More were sent for, particularly of those vegetables that would grow there profitably during the late autumn and winter. It may not be generally known that it was not the custom of these people to plant anything but cotton, corn, sweet potatoes and rice. Hence they knew almost nothing about the raising of other field or garden products.
These committeemen were carefully instructed and directed how to prepare the ground and plant the various kinds of new seeds which were put up in packages for families, which he would take home and in turn instruct his people what to do with them; in this way lettuce, onions, and garden peas were planted, and in a few weeks these plantings began to supply them with a vegetable food to go along with their grits and meat.
From among those who could handle tools, building committees were formed whose duty it was to repair and rebuild the houses, first, of widows and the infirm, and afterward, their own. These committees were furnished with nails, lumber, and the necessary hardware; tools were purchased, marked with the insignia, and loaned until their work should be finished, when they would be returned and another committee would take these same tools and begin work on another plantation.
At the same time a foreman for ditching would be elected from a plantation, who would select his force of men, clean out the wells and ditch the lands of his plantation, working jointly with adjoining plantations, so that the ditching of one piece of land should not flood his neighbor. Spades, shovels, axes, hoes, mattocks, were furnished these men, who, when their work was finished, would return the tools to headquarters for others to take and work with in the same way.
Men acquainted with the building of flood gates, or “trunks,” as they are called, and dams, built and put these in to protect the openings of the ditches from the incoming tides.
Through their committees each man was instructed to split out palings from the fallen timber and fence in a large garden, so that it should be secure from his chickens and pigs. Nails and tools were likewise furnished for this work, frows, crosscut saws, axes, hatchets, hammers, etc.
As the season advanced, in February, the planting time, seedmen of New York and Philadelphia, as well as other cities, hearing of the success of these amateur gardeners through the winter season, sent generously from their stores, and the Congressmen of several districts joined them in directing the seeds in the Agricultural Department apportioned for their distribution to be sent direct to the Red Cross for the Sea Islanders. Again these committeemen, as formerly, were called and instructed in the manner of preparing the ground and planting each kind of seed, with instructions to communicate what he had learned to his neighbors, as before. As these people had never before made gardens, even the leading business men and merchants laughed at the idea of attempting to “make truck gardeners out of these people.” Notwithstanding this, Miss Barton bought nine hundred bushels of Early Rose potatoes. Women were set at work carefully cutting these into one or two eyes each for planting. This provision also removed any possible temptation, with their scant provisions, to use them at once for food.
The seed corn, like everything else in all this vicinity, had been destroyed by the storm. Again Miss Barton sent to the Ohio valley for two carloads of seed corn. This was distributed over the entire storm-swept section, and many of these people at harvest time said that if the storm had brought them nothing but this new variety of seed corn, it would have been a blessing, for their crop was double what it had ever been before.
In order to preserve the quality of the famed “sea island cotton,” which is a special variety, with long, silky fibre, used for making thread, the furnishing of this seed was given to the care of the local cotton merchants, who were directly interested in preserving its high standard and market value.
In the feeding and “rationing” of these people they were as carefully instructed in the principles of economy and care as in other lines of work. Where a fisherman could be found, he was furnished with a boat or net to supply his people with fish to help out with the living, and this was a great aid. The living ration for a family of seven was half a peck of grits a week and a pound of pork, simply as an insurance against starvation for those not having work. Those who were at organized work under a regular foreman received double that amount, i.e., two pecks of grits or meal and two pounds of pork a week for each man.
At all times these people were cautioned about going into debt for any purpose, and so faithfully did they follow these suggestions that when we questioned them in their churches when their corn was ready to use, no more than one in thirty had contracted debts for food or living supplies,—a matter of special interest in view of the fact that it has always been the custom of the country, to go into debt for food supplies until the crop should be ready for market. True, on some of these islands additional help was received from other sources, notably on St. Helena, Ladies and Port Royal, through the influence of some of the resident merchants and other friends—local merchants rebuilding their stores and warehouses gave employment to some, shipping to others, and later, a partial reopening of the phosphate industry brought labor to others.
It will be remembered that these people were constantly receiving lessons in practical economy, and suggestions in improvising and turning to best account what they might have at hand. These instructions, coming from Miss Barton direct made a deep impression on the minds of these people, and they were faithfully followed up by her representatives, who had received their lessons beforehand in practical, common sense economy. I recall an incident. After showing a number of the committeemen through the office and living apartments at headquarters, where they saw desks, working tables, book shelves, washstands, wardrobes, commodes, all neatly covered with manila paper or hung with tasty calico curtains or draperies, with neat and attractive effect—and then when shown the constructions they were amazed to find that nearly every piece of furniture before them was made from various sizes of dry goods boxes (that are usually broken up for kindlings) with shelves inside or on top, as occasion required. One of these committeemen made the practical remark that this half-hour observation and instruction was worth just seventy-five dollars to him, for it showed him how for the present he could save that amount of debt, which he considered necessary to make his house furnishing comfortable for his family.
Careful reports of tools borrowed and returned, of work done each week, as the basis of additional food support, encouraged accuracy, system and responsibility.
I hope it may not prove too tedious if a few average reports of committees are here given from different sections of the field and a sample “labor sheet” to more clearly show some of the kinds of work done, and the character and spirit of the people. The labor sheet is intended to be a record of the tools given out and returned, the number of men at work, the kind of work done—whether ditches, bridges, roads, dams, repairing wrecked houses, or building new ones, digging wells, building chimneys, fencing gardens, splitting boards or shingles, etc., and also the record of the condition as observed by the visitor or inspector of the work.
The following sample is the work of Committeeman Jackson Gillison, of Stuart Point, Port Royal Island, being one of the first who began work:
Labor on Port Royal Island.
Committee, Jack Gillison.
Stuart’s Point, Place.
BUILDING AND REPAIRING.
| Tools Taken Out. | Tools Returned. | Number | Number of men. | Description | |||
| 1893 Dec. | Sandy Brown’s | House, | 12 x 18, | Rebuilt. | |||
| 1 | 15 | 12 | Abby Hamilton’s | ″ | 12 x 15, | ″ | |
| Shalcot Mack’s | ″ | 10 x 15, | ″ | ||||
| Thomas Devoe’s | ″ | 10 x 15, | ″ | ||||
| Robert Marshall’s | ″ | 15 x 15, | ″ | ||||
| August Dunkin’s | ″ | 12 x 18, | ″ | ||||
| Storm Jackson’s | ″ | Shingled. | |||||
| Sanford Howard’s | ″ | All except shingles. | |||||
| Thomas Williams’ | ″ | ″ ″ ″ | |||||
| Tissey Small’s | ″ | Rebuilt. | |||||
| Sibby Robinson’s | ″ | moved 200 feet on hill and blocked up. | |||||
| April | Alfred Davis’ | ″ | finished to the shingles. | ||||
| 27 | 12 | 24 | Dick Bright’s | ″ | finished after frame has been put up. | ||
DITCHING.
| 1894 Feb. | Width | Depth | Length. | ||||
| 16 | 24 | 24 | 1 Dike | 15 | 3 | 400 | |
| 1 ″ | 15 | 4 | 700 | ||||
| 1 ″ | 6 | 4 | 500-1600 feet Dikes. | ||||
| 16 | 24 | 24 | 1 Ditch | 2 | 3 | 1500 | |
| 1 ″ | 2 | 3 | 700 | ||||
| 1 ″ | 3 | 2 | 800 | ||||
| 1 ″ | 2 | 1 | 600 | ||||
| 1 ″ | 2 | 2 | 400 | ||||
| 1 ″ | 2 | 2 | 700 | ||||
| 1 ″ | 2 | 3 | 500 | ||||
| 1 ″ | 2 | 2 | 400 | ||||
| 1 ″ | 3 | 2 | 400 | ||||
| 1 ″ | 2 | 3 | 600 | ||||
| 1 ″ | 2 | 1 | 300 | ||||
| 1 ″ | 3 | 2 | 200 | ||||
| 2 Ditches | 3 | 2 | 600 | ||||
| 2 ″ | 2 | 3 | 800 | ||||
| 2 ″ | 2 | 2 | 150-8650 Ditches. | ||||
| April | 1 Trunk (Tide Gate), repaired | ||||||
| 27 | 24 | 24 | 2 Trunks (” ″ ), made | 3 Trunks. | |||
On Ladies Island George Barnwell, foreman for Eustis Place and Hazel Farm, reports four houses built, ten repaired, 87,870 feet of ditching, fifty feet of dam, three miles of road across the island, thirty feet wide, cleared up and repaired; this latter required seventy-five men at work three weeks cutting out fallen trees, rebuilding bridges, and filling in washed places. Barnwell says, in closing his report:
The improvement of the land that is redeemed and put in good order for the farmers on Eustice Place, including the houses, is worth about three thousand dollars. July 20th, 1894.
At that time we endorsed on this report the following:
August 4th we inspected this work and found all well done, but we found several buildings that Barnwell had begun were not mentioned in his report because they were not finished when he made it. Houses and ditches give evidence of good practical work.
From two plantations on St. Helena’s Island Rev. D.E. Washington’s report shows 32,331 feet of ditching, two houses built, four repaired. The close of his report has this:
To the Red Cross officers: We, the undersigned sufferers, return a vote of thanks to you for the goodness you have done for us by giving us ditches to save our crops. The value to us is $2000.
D.E. Washington,
Agent of the Mary Ann Chaplin,
Tom Fripp and Village Plantations.
I find this observation on the back of this report, after a visit to look at his work and to speak to his people:
August 13th, 1894, went over this work in part. The ditches are doing excellent service and have been of great value to the plantations during the wet season. It may be that the width of the ditches is hardly sufficient in all places, but the condition of the people is most gratifying, and the work of Reverend Washington has been markedly unselfish.
On reaching his place we learned for the first time that his own house, a large plantation building of former years, had been burned just before the storm, and he has since been living in his stable. This personal loss he has never mentioned to the Red Cross people, although his duties as committeeman brought him in contact with them every week for nearly a year.
From the mainland Rev. Wade Hampton, in returning his tools, after making nearly one mile of canal and ditches, and 330 feet of causeway, says:
We, the committee on said places (Chaplin, Fripp, Toomer, and Tom Rhodes), return our sincere thanks to you for the rations and the tools to work with, for it was just the same as if you had given us a hundred dollars apiece. This is to the Red Cross, by your committee. Most respectfully,
Wade Hampton,
Agent Chaplin Plantation.
From another section of the mainland, William Grant, of Pocotaligo, reports nearly two miles of canal eight feet wide, and about the same amount of ditches, and the building of four houses.
Jack Snipe, a young man, almost a boy, after building 5 chimneys, getting out over 4000 shingles and clapboards, and repairing 11 houses, began and made 2000 feet of ditches, and we find this endorsement on his paper. “July 27, I went over part of Jack Snipe’s work to-day. He was a hard working, conscientious man, but not very strong physically. After his work of building and repairing as the leader of his men, he took charge of the ditching; got sick from working in the water, and died soon after. Mrs. Barker, one of our volunteer trained nurses, worked faithfully during all his illness to save him, but in vain.”
Ben Watkins, on Baker Place, shows 19,562 feet of ditches, 1 house built, 2 repaired, 3 large gardens fenced, 7 wells dug. “July 24, 1894, inspected this work, both buildings and ditches, and found the work well done, the ditches being new and important, carrying the water from three large ponds. One main ditch is from four to seven feet deep, equally wide at the top. The crops are in excellent and promising condition, and Watkins’ work is more than he has claimed for it, besides being practical and well done. The Gregorys and Browns on Baker Place have attractive homes, neat and orderly, with appearances of thrift and industry.”
These quotations taken at random from a list of a hundred reports serve to give an idea of the kind and quality of the work done over the entire field, as well done in one district as another from Charleston to Savannah, a distance of 150 miles, including a large area of the mainland as well.
While these people are in large measure cut off from the advantages that come from travel and contact with the outside world, they have a peculiar style of expression, and a musical sweetness of voice that is unusually attractive. They are of different origin and type from the Virginia or “upland people;” many are good scholars, due largely to the schools of Miss Batoum and Miss Murray on St. Helena, and others established soon after the war. Nearly all read and write. Still, there are some that retain the old-time style of expression, as in the following: “We’s de bes garden I eber seen sence I was a man grown.” “All de squash, de tomaty and de watermillion seed gone died, but de Lo’d’s will must be done.”
“All de house (houses) is done ractified.” “I couldn’t tell a lie, for I’z deacon in de chuch. I has to be respectable.” Another says: “I’v ben dar from de fust upstartment, and dar ain’t ben de fust rag gin to dose people.”
Another: A man who had seen the Red Cross staff getting on the boat to go to Charleston said: “I tell you, doctor, when I see Miss Barton gettin’ on the boat to go away I just felt so, my eyes couldn’t help leakin’ water, for you all have saved us people.”
After the general relief had closed, and the body of the Red Cross staff had left, Dr. Egan remained with me to help finish the distribution of a remnant of supplies and tools that could be kept in use, and to encourage the continuance of the general improvements so well begun. Considerable attention was given to visiting the work, and the people on the different islands in their churches, where practical suggestions were made on the line of the instructions they had received from headquarters at first. These talks were always preceded by an inspection of the fields, gardens, buildings and work which had been done on the place, for the purpose of better judging what kind of suggestions would be of most profit to the people; but the subjects usually taken up would be headlined thus:
Prosperity
Keep out of debt. Debt is a burden and a hindrance to prosperity, the cause of much trouble and bad feeling. “Owe no man anything.”
How to keep out of debt. Keep the garden producing something to live on the entire year. The climate here will allow this to be done.
Then a list of vegetables suitable for the soil and the climate that experience has shown can be raised with success.
On the farm keep some kind of profitable crop growing the entire year, both for profit and for feed for the stock. Follow the regular corn crop with a second one for fodder, or with some of the root crops, as turnips, beets, rutabagas, cabbage or collards.
Plant such things as the fowls will injure inside the garden fence.
Fruits; figs and grapes grow from cuttings, and are easily raised, if only protected from the pigs, the goats, or the cattle. Pears, peaches, apples, oranges, pomegranates, pecans, walnuts, grow with a little care. (Fine samples of vegetables and fruits raised on the islands, often by their own people, were shown in evidence.) Let each one raise and preserve his own meat, or have a neighbor who has been successful, put it up for him until he learns how for himself. This point was particularly made, because the general custom of the country is to sell hogs for three or four cents a pound and pay twelve to sixteen cents a pound for pork.
Homes:—Make them neat, light, attractive; have trees, flowers and the simple conveniences, any and all of which can be had by a little thought, labor and interest.
In the line of health, use less pork, more vegetables, fruit, milk, eggs, and pure water. Good wells are necessary, ditches are necessary for health as well as for agricultural development. If all the plantations are well drained, it will in large measure banish fevers from the islands.
Observe among your people which one succeeds best in any undertaking, whether it is in the raising of a particular kind of crop, or the saving of it, the successful curing of his meat, the raising of fruit, the breeding of good stock, or having attractive home—go to that one for that particular kind of information or instruction that you want. Strive to improve the moral standing, which is necessary for physical as well as social advancement.
No one who has been with these people, worked with them as we have, but must be pleased to observe their gratitude, their gentle manner of expressing it, their desire to improve and their attention to instruction or suggestion, their cheerful disposition and their faith in God and the Red Cross.