Wichita eagle., 1888-08-04
A GLORIOUS RAIN.
GENERAL In CHARACTER AND IN
BOUNDED In IT'S BENEFITS.
Corn Crop Saved From Ruin, Wheat
Ground in Good Condition.
Minor Incidents OF the
Storm.


country he might have better employed
his talents in writing an ode to Beautiful
Rain" instead of one to Beautiful snow"
Perhaps, after all, the beauties and bene-
fits of rain, such as was given to Wlch-
tia and her tributary territory last night,
can better be described in prose than IN
verse. Such a rain is of inesfimable value
TO crops of all sorts, especially corn, and to
all kind of stock The rain, although
few days later than would have been de-
sired, is nevertheless in plenty OF time to
do untold good. From close observers
who have in the past day Or two been over
the south and southwest portions OF the
state and the central portion of the Indian
Territory, the sections most important to
Wichita, it is learned that the con-
dltion of corn in those sections was
not nearly SO distressing as many
exciteable people have represented it 70
be. With few exceptional STRIPS the
southwest one-third Of the state has re-
ceiyed sufficient rain TO assure the making
OF early corn, and with the rains of last
night, which were general, the late corn
viii, with few exceptions, be greatly aided
in making a crop. For the first time in
many years the Immediate vicinity OF
Wichita seems TO have about as poor a
prospect for corn as any other section IN
reach of Wichita's trade. But even about
here the corn will be greatly assisted by
these rains. This is particularly the case
with the early corn. The late corn will
also be benefited to great extent. Pas
lures will be very greatly benefited.
Although they had not begun to actually
suffer. it is better that they be renewed at
this stage than at later one The arrival
Of rain at this time also puts an end to the
hot, dry weather and makes life to both
man and beast not only more pleasant and
endurable but more profitable as well.
Then, too, it has put wheat ground IN ex-
cellent condition for the fall sowing OF an
unusually large crop under most auspl-
cious conditions. All grass and hay crops
are largely benefited. aud taken as a
whole, Wichita and the country tributary
to her are greatly the winners by the
rains.
THE RAIN.
During the dav the weather was very
warm, quite as warm (at least as noolcea-
ble) as on any day this week. For couple
of days the local signal station has been
predicting rain Night before last things
did look that way, but nothing resulted al
Wichita although there were good rains
to the east and south of here. Yesterday
parties in from the west reported excellent
rains in that section of the state yesterday
forenoon out as far as the west line of the
state. Last night it was Sedgw:ck county
and Wichita's turn to get good drench-
ing and they got it in good style.
During the day the weather was very
close and although in the early part of the
afternoon rain indications were not notice
able, the signal service ordered the rain
flags on the Citizens bank building run
UP late in the afternoon, upon advices that
it was raining to the northwest. BY five
o'clock great bank of clouds in the
northwest portended rain last night.
BY six o'clock it began to grow
close. About ESQ the wind began to blow
Il perfect gale from the northwest and
filed the air with an impenetrable cloud
of dust. Everything of light character
was lifted high in the air and sailed about
the city Everybody rushed from the
streets and sought refuge from the dust
by going indoors and closing tightly every
WINDOW anu dOOT. Ills tIlSt SICIii SCtI
tinued for about ten minutes, when it was
replaced by one of the most welcome and
heaviest transforms that ever visited thi;
section. The rain fell in torrents, and
blew in perfectly binding sheets. The
streets were soon solid bodies Of water anC
tie cutters small rivulets. For about
three quarters of an hour the rain con
tinued with undated fury and thoroughly
drenched and soaked everything.
EFFECTS OF THE STORM.
When the storm had cleared away it wa.
found that the wind had done consider
able damage 10 signs, awnings, trees
electric light, telephone and telegraph
wires, etc. Some buildings were reported
considerably damaged 4 telephone mes
sage was received at the EAGLE Office tina
the main building of the Burton ca
works had been unroofed, but no materia
damage done. Just what one was mean
by the main building is not known
it IS supposed to be the
mill or the large bnilding at tn
north end of the works. None of tn
others were injured. \ report was curren
on the street last night that a two stor.
house in West Wichita had been blown
down. but dlligent investigation failed t.
develop anything of that character Their;
! or in any other part OF the city.
sPLINTEES.
4 chimney on the Citizens bank build
ing blew down.
Wichita's large and many trees brok,
the force of the wind.
There was more rain OF light characte
from IL to l2 o'clock.
The telephone wires were badly tangled
and worked poorly for while
\ cottonwood tree on South Market nea
the government building was broken of
An electric light wire was reporte'
down on North Main, between Pine an
Walnut.
Rains continued all night, in diferen
directions, mostly 70 the south and south
west.
\ large poplar tree at the southwes
| corner of Third and Waco was torn up b.
! the roots.
Several real estate bulletin boards an,
/ light signs Of various kinds were tosse'
about generally,
/ The air was more clear, more pure ate
the rain. Everybody looked, felt and wa
! better after the storm.
| The awning in front OF Hacker * Jack
! sous Office on South Fourth avenue Wa
! torn down aud broke a window.
| The electric light wires were badly Ct
moralized. and ar one time all OF the light
| of one system were out, for about ten min
utes only.
The plats glass window on the mort
S;ca Of the SAVINGS hank entrances. wa
broken by the storms hurting al awnin
against IL
| The canvas awning in front OF the bar