rime so far among them; and, finally, that in
those instances where they were able to purchase a little land
and stock, they have made as good progress toward the acquirement
of homes and property as have the average poor white immigrants
to the State. He will first learn, then, from the refugees
themselves something of the desperate nature of the causes that
drove them from the South, and secondly, from their lives here,
with what thrift, patience, and determination they have met the
difficulties which they have encountered in their efforts to gain
a foothold, and as men among men, in the land of equal rights.
From the Hon. Milton Reynolds, President of the Auxiliary Relief
Association at Parsons, I learn that the negroes who have come
into the southern part of the State, mostly from Texas, are all
either settled on small tracts of land or employed as laborers at
from $8 to $12 per month, and are all doing well. Mr. Reynolds's
testimony to this effect was positive and unqualified. To assist
these refugees in Southern Kansas--over 3,000 in all--only $575
has been expended. From Judge R. W. Dawson, who was the Secretary
of the association under the old management and during the early
months of the movement, one year ago, when 6,000 refugees were
distributed throughout the State and provided with homes at a
cost of $5,000, I learned much of interest concerning the welfare
and progress of this advance guard of the great exodus. Judge
Dawson, although not connected now with the relief work, feels of
course a great interest in the welfare of those to whose
assistance he contributed much, and loses no opportunity for
observation of their condition while travelling over the State.
He says he knows of no case where one has come back to the
association for aid, and that, as laborers and citizens, their
conduct has been such as to win the approval of all classes. Four
colonies have been established. State lands were bought by the
association and given to the colonies with the understanding
that, to secure their title, they must make the second and third
payments on the land purchased on the one-third cash and
two-thirds time payment plan. Two of the newest of these colonies
are still receiving aid from the association, but the others are
self-sustaining