Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1874-09-02
THE DROU1,H AND GRASSHOP
PERS TN KANSAS,

IN Il
'''''
Ono of the editors of the Altoona
Tribune recently made n western tour
and thus epeaks of the devastation
made by the rrasshoppcrs
eIn our letter from Denver CITY n
short time since, we referred 10 the
terrible erasshopper scourge now bc-
ing felt in Kansas. Since writing that
letter we have again passed through
tho State. witnessed more of the great
devastation, and had an opportunity
to learn something about the condition
of the people of that blighted section
1--WE should first note that nrevious
TO the appcarancc of the orossbonnors
a drouth had prevailed for two months
over the central part of the State seri'
ously iniuring the corn and late we're
tables But from this the nconle and
stock would NOT have suffered materi-
ally. as there was still sufficient soft
corn TO iatten hogs and other stock for
sale. and tbey could have cut enougb
grass TO feed with oats 10 keen tbc bal.
ance over winter.
aUsually the plains of Kansas are
famed bv n cool breeyo from ,Lo south
but after the drouth Ind continued for
two months these breezes durino tbe
middle of the day. changed To- hot
simoons which literally narcbed mn
every green thing the prassboppers
left. On the occasion of the appear.
ance of the crasshoppers. the wind
changed and came from the northwest.
When the approach of these destroycrs
was first noticed. the people imagined
that the plains TO the northwest had
been fired and that the dark mass roll
ing toward them was the smoke aris-
ing therefrom. They were soon unde-
ceivcd, however. In few minutes
the air was full of grasshoppers. and
in n few minutes more they covered
sidewalks, fences, and every green
thing in that section. In less than
twenty-four hours they had done their
work, devastated the entire country in
the vicinity of Salina, and passed on
eastward devouring as they went
When we were in Salina, three days
after the advent of the grasshoppcrs,
the air was yet full of them, and the
appearance was that of snow storm
Of large flakes These insects differ
from those in this part of the country,
in that they are able to keep much
longer on wing, and are white in color
and, when flying in the air, really
resemble large snow fakes. In few
hours after their arrival they had eaten
up all that the drouth had left, and the
desolation was distressing to behold
Every tree, except the cottonwood
which they do not eat, was stripped a.
bare OF leaves as IN midwlnter Apple
and peach orchards were completely
stripped OF leaves, leaving the fruit
hanging bare upon the limbs, and this
the brood yet remaining, were devour
ing, or, at least, destroying In many
places only the pits OF the peaches re
manned on the tree, the irult having
been entirely devoured. In the gar
dens only cabbage.runts were to b.
seen, and potato patches showed barr
burrows ana bleached stalks.
| III Is Impossible 10 picture or con
ceiye OF the utter desolatlon which fol
be witnessed 10 be realized. In winte
time we naturally expect TO find tree
l.. 1 aal.l
bare, and the sight does not affect us
but to find them thus in midsummer
especially after having lust passe,
through the rich and healthy foIiag,
of Missouri, causes a depression q
spirits, and makes one feel as If he ha,
entered a valley Of death Destitute,
J is the picture on every side and Their