New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-08-21
THE GRASSHOPPER PEST.
KANSAS FEELING IT'S EFFECTS.

frROM OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF TIE ihpoNh''
OsAwKEE, Kansas Aug. 13.-The most dire
calamity which has bsfaen our Westerh country
Is now resting upon and makes the heart sad ana
despondent to the suffering aud MANI bitter
invitations which must be the inevitable consequence
among the people IN tho coming Winter The grasshop-
pers or redlegged locusis again have infested our
state sweeping down upon US In oVerWhei"ins
bordes from the plains OF Colorado on the west ana tue
fertile fields of Nebraska the north Aldready have
they left their blghting influence upon the western ana
sout- western portion Of State and where their
work Of in that region has been completed
the fields look and barren Fields that lew Weeks
ago were green with promises OF fair return for the
husbandman's Summers hard toll now are dark ana
barron waste So complete has been the work
OF destruction which followed their path that all
traces OF vegetation gone whole fields OF corn are
eaten trees stripped OF their leaves and the
branches left pointing heavenward like the fingers OF
phantom skeleton while tho grass Is cut clean 10 tue
earth. There instances related where apparently
solid phaanxes OF ocusts dropped suddenly into great
fields OF corn and the destruction which ensued In Few
hours could not have been more complete hundreds OF
hungry steers had been turned into the fields In their
on the wing they obscured the sun and caused
hazy appearance of the atmosphere. and when they
in their countless millions the sound produced was
like that Of distant thunder
THE WORK OF DESTRUCTION.
To portray the work Of destruction accomplished ana
loss enailed beggirs description by the most facle pen
and efforts bring the forcbly before the magn-
alton of the reader simply in vain; 1t can only DO
fully realized by sight This army OF destruction which
is now nearly 2O) miles wide, reached our western
frontier about the 2)h ul which time 1t has been
gradually extending south and east until three days
ago. when it was noticed at this point. high in the
air. on its journey in southeastern course. AT hrst
only few stragg,crs aghtcd to force an unwelcome
visit upon and began to entertain hopes that We
| tho hlithfi
the direction OF the while high toward noon vast
mass of white animated specks could be seen
floating through the air, reaching down appa-
rently within 100 feet OF the earth and extend
ing upward high AS the unaided eye could
distinguish them. To Illustrate the appearances more
orcbly can do better than compare it to great
snow storm high in the sky Our hopes were doomed to
perish for yesterday this grand army OF destruction
came down upon in all its might aud fury and now
has covered the vholc OF eastern Kansas aud gone fr
into the State OF Missouri. An eyewitness OF their
former visitation s6D can say that their numbers at
that time nothing in comparison with the pres
emit hungry and voracous hordes Their visit during
the above year at least month Later when the
portion the matured and lit to be
harvested At this tine it is entirely green and the
greater portion in the milky state. quite unit to be
garnered cut and shockedf wet weather should
ensue. Such the condition OF the corn yesterday
when the choppers" began their raid upon u.s. In few
after they began crop, Srouuu 'esc-
tation was literally covered with them The air was
musical with their humming the sound produced was
not unpleasant reminding OF the noise OF distant
shower In many places along lanes aud avenues they
consregaed such immense numbers that 1t was I'M
no.sie 10 drive horse through because OF the buzzng
noises and strikng5 in their fright.
GRAssHoPPERs GATHERED BY THE BUSHEL
At times they in such immense clouds, that on
the north and vest sides OF buildings bushels OF them
coud be gathered partially stunned by tho sudden con-
tact and the sound produced In striking frame buildings
In the range Of their Hight was similar To hat OF nou
crate hail-storm In exceedingly short time they
completely covered apple, pear ana peach trees shaue
trees and grape vines and immediately began thcir
destructive work fruit and foliage Much OF the fruit
has the eaten off. and after falling Is soon COW
cred by hungry crew. AT this writing they nave com
petey stripped a favorite pear tree OK It's Huit anu
foliage. They intrude within the precincts OF our
houses and at this moment, one holder than MS com
rades Is trying to deyour newspaper By my sde Inc
sound produced by his efforts is similar to that OF
wood rasp vigorously applied Tie doors and windows
are closed to keep the ntruders out 1t even unpeas
be doors to have them circle in myrlads about
your head and feet aud hear the incessant humming.
AT night they their travels. but do not fail to
satisfy their voracous appetite. Their general actions
and attitudes in the endeavor to satisfy their hunger
forcibly reminds OF lot OF partially starved swine
at their first meal after long fast. It is amusing to
watch them while ear OF corn or luscious apple,
while 1t Is undergoing change under their mascating
powers For the purpose OF examination, visited
neghborlng field OF corn comprising 100 acres In the
afternoon after their arrival and must confess was
deeply impressed with sense OF solemn dread as wilt
messed the work OF destruction going on before my
eyes. How insignificant and puny AS an individual yet
how mighty and destructive by reason OF Its powers OF
rapid propagation At this writing, the storm still con-
nues and the number OF arrivals is increasing after
incessant duration, and the end IS not yet Hlt
lasts much longer total destruction or crops Is opened
to our view SO upon the whole are caiamity Is i
| and southwestern counties. 1t would be absurd
and sin to attempt to conceal the TACT Ala must
| DO secured from other quarters.
SCENE OF THE GREATEST SUFFERING.
The newly settled portions OF State will be the
scene of the greatest suffering While the older portion
may by the combination OF great exertion grit, and
rigid economy weather tine tide, cannot but think
that want and famine stare the settlers OF the frontier
in the face Many will leave. while others again have
Even without this scourge much suffering ana bitter
pryatiOns be expected. owing ~ very limited
crop caused by excessive drouth extending through
period OF eight weeks. Now 1t will be problem OF
Toys Of Spring awaken no tongue Will tell the suffer
gs undergo by those hardy OF toll on the West:
ern frontier. Our farmers here demorazed and
dishearened. hard Summers labor aud fair prospect
having entirely vanished Our merchants are also dis
outstanding bills due BY farmers who are unable to
pay and the consequence the inability on the part OF
remedyi Will the entry Of suits to recover money due
on debts where there inability the part OF the
debtor to pay bring about the desired results think
| not To-day hear OF the sheriff being warned that
the people do not expect TO be sued and have costs
heaped upon them unnecessarily, and that the
ce is still persisted IA aud becomes necessary they
will re volt against such proceedings Petitions are be-
ing circulated asking the Governor to call the Legsla
ture in session enact stay law to prevent suits for
recovery Of money until such time as the people are ~
condition 70 meet their obligations
'eZ" -
THE COURTS.