April 28, 1863, Weekly Columbus Enquirer (Georgia)
This Association will commence business today in the house formerly occupied by Mr. E. A. Smith, on the east side of Broad street, below the Bank of Columbus.
Its object, as the public has already been advised, is to buy provisions and sell them at cost to the families of absent soldiers and others whose means are not sufficient to enable them to pay war prices. The want of transportation, with the inadequate supply has advanced the price of provisions beyond the ability to buy of many honest, but poor people in our community. The large number of laborers, too, which the stagnation of the regular channel of industry has thrown upon the cities, has not permitted the wages of labor to advance in a ratio corresponding with the advance in the price of provisions, and, in consequence, much suffering has been entailed upon a most deserving class of our population. Under the beneficent operations of the plan inaugurated to-day, it is expected that at least the profits of the merchant will be saved to the consumer. This to the needy laboring man is no inconsiderable item. It may enable him to put shoes on his feet and clothing on his body, or to provide these little comforts to his wife and little ones.
The object and end of this Association are thus briefly stated: the rest is in the hands of the farmers of the country. After all that we have done, if we cannot secure the generous encouragement and co-operation of this class of our fellow-citizens, failure is inevitable.–We, therefore, earnestly appeal to them to assist us–not indeed with their money, but with their trade. We ask in the name of those whose natural protectors, even now, are standing on the brink of battle, ready with their lives to defend everything we possess or hope for in this life; in behalf of those to whom succor and relief is the direct command of the Almighty–the suffering poor–that our association receive from provision raisers and others thro’out the country that encouragement to which its noble purpose entitles it. While affording them an opportunity of contributing to the needy, we shall at the same time make it to their interest to trade with us.
Through the liberality and patriotism of the Eagle and Columbus Factories in furnishing as large quantities of bacon at 50 cents per pound, and Messrs. Habersham & Sons, of Savannah, who have furnished with twenty-five casks of rice at 17 cents per pound, and Mr. E. T. Shepperd and J. E. Hurt who furnished us sweet potatoes at $2 per bushel, we are enabled to commence operations under very favorable circumstances.
L. G. Bowers, President.
B. F. Coleman,
Jno. D. Gray,
H. M. Jeter,
D. B. Thompson,
Jno. Quinn,
Directors.