An appeal for help in behalf of the colored refugees in Kansas

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An appeal for help in behalf of the colored refugees in Kansas

This flyer, distributed by the Southern Refugee Relief Association of Chicago, Illinois, describes the dire situation of the African-American refugees relocated in Kansas. The secretary of this association, Horatio N. Rust, had taken this opportunity to pass along information relayed to him by Elizabeth Comstock, an aid worker in Topeka. Comstock was thankful for the donations of food and other goods, but asked for more assistance in feeding, clothing, and sheltering these refugees. The flyer also includes short excerpts of letters by agents of the refugee association who had direct knowledge of the emigrants' situation.

Creator: Rust, Horatio Nelson, 1828-1906
Date: January 22, 1881

An appeal for help in behalf of the colored refugees in Kansas - 3

This source teaches students about the difficulties of relocating to Kansas and demonstrates that at least some Northerners were trying to assist these Exodusters. It also provides a glimpse into how states other than Kansas were lending a hand, providing some contextualization. It can work with documents and sketches of the refugees' condition in Kansas and aid associations' work to alleviate their suffering.

KS:7th:3.5:Exodusters (2005)

Item Number: 210537
Call Number: 326.8 R92 H. N. Rust Scrapbook
KSHS Identifier: DaRT ID: 210537

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An appeal for help in behalf of the colored refugees in Kansas

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