Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1875-08-13
GREAT WESTERN STORM.
Damages Estimated by Millions.

that nothing can be truer than, that
We know not what a day or night may
tring forth. We referred last week
10 the bounteousness Of the national
harvest as after all presenting the
likclicst solution Of the troublesome
aroblem Of hard tines and unsettled
finances. We think so still, but the
situation is materially changed.-
Then the report from Europe was that
terrible storms and DISASTROUS floods
had badly damaged the hitherto prom
sing crops Of large portions Of Eng
land and France, while the crops were
also reported short in Russia. These
reports, Of course, had their effect on
The market, and a rapid rise in prices
was the result, The excitement was
..roat when it was found that specula-
tors were sweeping away the stock
in the Eastern markets and common
cing the same operations in the West.
On one day the sales Of flour in New
York were over $4,000 barrels at an
advance of Is to 25 cents over the
prices Of the preceding day.
1t is, Of course, cheering to the
heart Of the farmer to know there will
lie foreign demand for his grain
When we have heavy crop, and 1t
las to be all sold at home, We all know
that low prices must ensue. And,
therefore, if the foreign demand is
even caused by disastrous floods IN
Europe and prices rise in accordance
With the great law Of supply and
.5emand, we have full right to reap
Tho result as piece Of unexpected
sooi fortune. But let us beware lest
We indulge secret feeling Of exul-
alton over prosperity which comes
rom the calamites of others. If any
uch feeling was lurking in the breasts
Of any portion Of our people after
reading the storm reports from Europe
it has already met with a terrible re-
Juke.
For now it is our turn to experience
lne devastation and ruin caused by
forms and floods. Here in Maryland
and Pennsylvania, although heavy
rains have prevailed, our losses may
be comparatively triiling, But from
The great Wet tie aeco"nts oG rains,
vnd freshet5 and Overlooking Of rivers
las been truly appalling. The wide
spread ruin, as in the cases Of the
great London and New York bank
rupts, is to be counted by millions
That is if the reports are anything
Ike true. We have not space for the
details, but the daily telegraphic des-
patches of last week were burdenol
with fearful descriptions of the rain
forms. The territory covered COM
prises the States Of Ohio, Indiana, H.
linois, and Missouri. The rain con-
'jnued falling heavily through nearly
Two days. The effects We're soon Wis
Die in the rising and overtlows not
"uly Of small streams and creeks, but
The larger rivers, the sweeping away
Of bridges, the submerging of rail-
roads, washings-out and landslides,
detention Of trains, and carrying Off
he standing crops, the small streams
ling choked with floating grain, Sol
II We do not hear Of any loss Of life,
1T the footing up of the loss and
image to crops amounts to millions
81 money. A despatch from Chicago
Us it is to be hoped the total loss in
linois will not exceed $3,000,O00, |
alt that 100000 acres Of corn along
ne Illinois river is lying under water.
n the Ohio Valley it is believed that
Ie-third of the wheat crop is totally
st and the remaining two-thirds
eatly damaged. In the river bot
rs the corn crop is q total loss. In
diana it is estimated that the dam
q, in the central and southern coun-
5 will aggregate fifty per cent of
e entire crop. In The lowlands a
~ the Wabash river it is estimated
It 100000 acres Of corn have been
-troyed b. the flood, which alone
?l5 per acre would amount to-
100000. The damage to potatoes
50 very great
lch are the first reports. Now,
ugh an unprecedented rain fall
ken place IN several Western
oG which we also had no slight
lor, "a NTor,.Io,1 1ori ,roo1. I