When was it published?

November 14, 1865 in The Western Democrat

Domestic News November 14, 1865

The Western Democrat

Q: What keywords are associated?

Economic Distress, Post War South, Georgia, South Carolina, Planter Ruin, Charity Reliance

Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

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What is this article about?

Post-Civil War economic distress in the South: thousands live on charity or barely subsist; communities in Georgia and South Carolina ruined; example of a former wealthy planter now seeking $600/year clerk job.

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OCR Quality

98% Excellent

Full Text

THE CONDITION OF THE SOUTH.-Thousands are compelled to live upon the charity of acquaintances and friends, while others, through the bitterest struggles, by the most rigid self-denial, are barely enabled to exist "from hand to mouth" after a fashion, lamentably uncertain and precarious.

Whole communities in some portions of Georgia and South Carolina have been turned adrift upon the world, broken, ruined, desolate. We saw but yesterday a gray-headed planter, only one year ago among the wealthiest in our land, who is now seeking employment as clerk in a commission establishment upon the paltry salary of $600 per annum! His income formerly was $20,000 at the least calculation. And yet, grey-headed and broken in health, the old man spoke cheerfully of his future.

The blood of the gallant English Cavalier was still warm about his heart. Misfortunes could not utterly overcome him.-Augusta Constitutionalist.

What sub-type of article is it?

Economic Charity Or Relief

What keywords are associated?

Economic Distress Post War South Georgia South Carolina Planter Ruin Charity Reliance

What entities or persons were involved?

Gray Headed Planter

Where did it happen?

Georgia And South Carolina

Domestic News Details

Primary Location

Georgia And South Carolina

Key Persons

Gray Headed Planter

Outcome

thousands living on charity or barely subsisting; whole communities broken and ruined; former wealthy planter now seeking $600 per annum clerk job after $20,000 income.

Event Details

Thousands compelled to live on charity or exist hand to mouth through struggles; communities in Georgia and South Carolina turned adrift, broken, ruined, desolate; gray-headed planter, formerly wealthy, now seeking clerk employment on paltry salary, speaking cheerfully despite broken health.