The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-08-23

THE GREAT DROUGHT.

A Deartb Of Rain In Philadelphia During the
OIden -Reminiscences-Scenes In the
City Churches. -. ,ou. .,.,...
strated mat in this latitude at least, the two closing
summer months and the opening one OF ial nave put
iitte NJ that hu umdity which more or less marks all
other portions of the year; hot dry atmosphere
prevaiing, which gradually makes itself felt, and
pften severely i'm the water-suppy. The present
scarcity of this al-mportant uid is not the first
fhe sharpest instance in which Nature has impera-
lively seconded the oft-repeated recommendations
of the Water Department, and by effeCtualy re-
ducing the supply endeavored to bring our "Clty
fathers" to a realizing sense of the privaton they
were likely to entail upon their municipal family by
not giving this matter that attention which its vast
Importance demands.
Some thirty-three or four years ago an unusually
we-Ceebrated "Fourth of July" was closed soon
after twilight by a sharp thunderstorm. accompa-
MED by copious showers, which speedily sent the
dismayed and well-drenched jewellers TO their re-
spectiye homes. Many days of clear bright weather
succeeded; but gradually men became conscious
that this continued sunshine not altogether
a blessing Umbrellas were in constant TeGuisition
not for their legitimate use, but for the purpose OF
protecting Over-heated humanity from the glarinp
eve of the grim monarch over head who Seemed
bent upon vitrfyIng all terrestrial things. Vegeta-
ton was the first to suffer. The pleasant fields and
gardens Of our various suburbs became parched and
dry, and the once glowing heritage looked as if "A
fire had devastated and turned it into subbe while
our long avenues of shade trees were lined with the
before their time. our highways and byways crcu-
lated no gentle zephyr or bamy breeze, but rather
the ho5 blast OF the sirocco beneath which man ana
beast painted and suffered vainly hoping for some
relief from the torrd heat which oppressed them.
"a
minimum Of their usual supply, ana rocks and shoal
places became visible along their beds, which before
had been known only to the fisherman or sailor
For weeks the dam at FarmOunt could be passed
over dry-shod and on the SabbdthS thTOngs OF per-
sons from all parts Of the city ayaicd themselves Of
this novel bridge.
This drought was great in many parts of the
country, every mail bringing accounts of the suffer-
ing it causing in distant places. But our present
purpose is to its effects here at home, and these
were similar to those attending the present emer-
gency although for manufacturing, aud the thou
applied the proportion needed was Infinitely
less then than now. The aqueous supply from Fair
mount necessarily became very scant when it
reached the lower municipalities of southwark and
Moyamensnr: and to add to the disCOmforts of
the residents of those districts the cool, delicious
pump-water which they had been accustomed to
gave out and they were reduced to the tepid waters
of the Delaware, which enterprisng carriers drove
thriving business in dsposng OF from five to twenty
hve cents ber bucket, according TO the purchasers
distance from the source of supply
The puvian divinity did not appear to have for
gotten, out rather wished to tautalize his servants.
On more than one occasion the clouds gathered in
gloomy but welcome grandeur overhead, sometimes
dsCharging few precious drops, which were eagerly
absorbed by the Gasping bricks below; but more fire.
quently the feryld solar rays would Cugendcr hur-
TiCane, and sweep away from our hopes and our
vision the coveted treasure OF moisture which had
"Men's hearts began to fail them" in the presence
of the growing calamity. The most indifferent felt
that at length time had come when an appeal must
be made where human effort cedSes-the religious
world had already moved in the matter-and many
an unfamiliar face seen in various places Of
worship, and many fervent heartfelt aspiration fell
from lips but little accustomed to the humauizing
accents OF prayer We think it was the first Sab
bath in October, when more than usual pallOr han
gathered over the hearts and faces of men, that
large groups OF citizens sought such temples of re-
ligon as their habits and preferences indicated; few
save the sick or feeble remaining away, according
to the recommendation of the public authorities.
Old Saint Peters Qtev. w. Ii. Delancey)
had large accession to the crowd of
worshippers, and the noble ritual in use
prayer for ran-was rarely uttered by more devOut
suppliants. The short interval tlapsng between
morning service and the instructions of the pulpit
gave the people an opportunity of noticing the grow
ing darkness within and without the sacred ediiCe
the lamps having to be lit in several places An un-
wOnted breeze, cool and moist rustled among tae
venerable funereal elms which ornament the ancient
cemetery, in the midst of which the church stands
Then patter, patter ratter' came down the welcome
Tain Rector and people looked at each other, and
the mutual wish was understood. No more sermon.
""rhe Lord God OmnipOtent regneth'-Let us
pray" and, all kneellng, they joined in solemn
thanksgiving to Him who had ''caused the former
and the latter rain TO descend upon the earth" And
so endeth the story of the Great Drought
Mayor Fox will send to Councils this afternoon a
long message embodyng his views on the Import
ance of providing some means for the immediate
relief of the citizens from the impending water
famine
THE INDIAN CoMMIssION-hN IMPoRTANT MEET
ING.-The following despatch from the Hon. William
E. Dodge OF the Indian Commission has been re-
CAMP SUPPLY, INDIAN TERRITORY, Aug. q, 1S69-
George II. Stuart Philadelphia:-We have to-day
had most important meeting with the Cheycnnes
and Arrapahoes. large number of chiefs were
ponies outside. Medicine Arrow, for the Cheyennes,
and Little Room, for the ArrapahOes, made excel
lent peace speeches. The council lasted two hours,
and its results considered most favorable for our
object 1t was most imposing and interesting
sight. We are now 1000 miles from home, living in
tents. We start tomorrow for Medicine Blum,
Witchaw Mountains Some 200 miles south from here
we turn east, passing through the entire Indian
reservation, and hope to reach home in thirty or
forty days hence. The Indians have killed 700 buta-
lOeS the past week within ten miles OF this place.
WILLIAM E. DODGE.
A TEMPERANCE LECTURER ARREsTED.-George r.
WentZ is a temperance man and spends his Sundays
in leCturing 10 the masses under the market house
at Lawrence street and Girard avenue. Directly Op
posite the shed is st. Peters Catholic Church
While the congregation are worshippng, Mr.
WentZ in stentorian tones regales his audience. He
had been requested to desist during the hours o.
worship but insisting upon his right of lecturing al
all times the congregation waited upon Lieut.. Spea
and requested him to have Wentz removed, AC
Cordingly, yesterday afternoon policeman was de
tailed for the purpose Mr.. WentZ again refused tC
move away and he was arrested and taken DefOr
Alderman Riddell, who held him for further hear
ing.
GoNE.-This morning at haf-past O'Clock Cap
tain Shaw, commander OF the London Fire Brigade
on visit to this country for the purpose of inspect
ing the working OF the fire departments in our cities
left the depot at Broad and Prime Streets for Balt
more. He accompanied to the depot by Chic
Downey, and his last words prior to departure wer
those Of thanks for the cordial welcome he had Te
Ceived in Philadelphia. From Baltimore he goes
Washington thence westward far as Chicago
stopping at Pittsburg he comes East agai
towards New York
AN IMAGINATIVE DTvER.-James Fletcher was YES
terday taken to the Tenth District Station with hi
head and face pretty badly cut James was labO
ing under attack OF deiiriunL tFeHeHS, and whil
Dromenading through the Eighteenth ward, lima
pined himself in the water, and made several dive
from the curb-stOne into the street. After doin
this once twice, number OF citizens stOppe
him and took him to the station. He was sent