New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-08
CENTRAL WEST DROUTH- STRICKEN.
PASTURES DRIED UP AND FARMERS HEAVY
IOsERs-DEsTRUCTIvE FIXES II NANY STATES.


LosERs-DEsTRUCTIvE FIRES N Many STATES.
Mascoutah, H., Oct In the experience OF the
Oldest settlers IN St Clair and adjoining counties
the present drouth IS without parallel For two
months there has been practically no rainfall in
this section. and the temperature has ranged above
90 degrees in the shade almost daily during all that
time
The damage done by the drouth in Southern
Illinois cannot be accurately estimated. but It has
been great. The heaviest loss 10 the farmers is
the corn crop. which has been cut down so TO 60
per cent BY the dry weather. 1t has also done
great damage to all late vegetation and to the
fruit crop generally Hundreds OF wells. c.sterns
and creeks have entirely failed. and a water famine
IS threatened over large OF country. Many
farmers residing east OF Mascoutah are hauling
water q distance OF six miles. The water in the
Kaskaskia River has reached the lowest stage in
years.
In addition TO the heavy loss on crops OF various
kinds, the farmers Will have TO provide an I'M
usually large quantity OF feed Tor their stock owing
TO the parched condition OF all the pastures. The
stoek-feeding season begins two months earlier
than usual as the result OF the continued drouth.
Valparaiso. Ind. Oct The Kankakee marsh
fire is rapidly spreading in this country, though
the farmers have given up all other work and are
fighting fire at all hours OF the day. Several more
houses were destroyed last night, The big marsh
Tassn0ns caught fire again last night o and
everything IN their path The residents q HEBRON
feared the fires may sweep across the heavy bitches
which have been dug across these places.
Decatur Ind. Oct. 7-Forest fires are raging over
the entire northwestern portion OF this county
Entire fields Of shocked corn have been swept away
by the flames.
La Grange Ind. Oct. THE drouth. which IS
without precedent in Northern Indiana has been
partially broken by light rain. The fire in the
Tamsrack sMamp has neTeased nGi the farmers gpsa
near Rochester. Ind
Cincinnati. Oct IA dispatch TO The CONNER
fires are raging IN the eastern part OF this county
and farmers have organized TO tight the flames:
BALDWIN ie Wers threatened with fire. and were saved
only after hard work Barns corn an in shock and
been destroyed.
Kenosha, Wis, Oct. 7.--Old settlers OF Kenosha
cay this has been the dryest season for years In
this part o. the country Vegetation has been
parched and crops blasted. Wells and springs have
dried up, and result OF scarcity OF water stock
Bristol caused By sparks from passing engines.
eroyed coHsiderabie properly belonging eng to ths
10 stay the advance Of the flames In some cases
tinued to burn below the surface
Niles, Mich. Oct East and north OF this city
tho terrible marsh fires still continue Farmers
have fought the flames night and day for a week
and are utterly exhausted They have moved their
household goods to places OF safety and have
rhced their homes. Game which inhabited the
marshes has been driven to the city; Near Berrien
flames swept over like a prairie Are and hundreds
OF acres OF potatoes have been roasted in the hills
The fire is the worst that has occurred in this
vicinity since lsl.
Ottawa, Ont, Oct. There have been no further
fatalities reported from the scene OF the forest
Ares along the Canada Atlantic Railway. The
deaths number five, as follows: Mrs Frank La
VILE and her children. Ellen, aged six. and Francis
aged one: Miss Stiles, Mrs. Layille's sister. and
Mrs Lacrox. Their charred bodies We're all found
In the vicinity OF South Indian Subscriptions for
the relief Of the sufferers are being received, ana
The destitute being cared FOR Five townships
were burned over Including area abou: seven
teen By twenty-seven niles
COTTON FIELDS BURNING IN ARKANSAS.
Little Rock Ark. Oct. 7-Drouth and forest fires
are doing great damage in Arkansas. and the stu
alton grows daily. Thousands OF collars
worth Of valuable timber and other property mas
been burned, and stock In nearly all sections OF
the State IL suffering from the scarcity OF water
While In some places there is not even drinking
water for the people. No general rain has fallen
for owe. sixty days. and in some localities the
drouth is Of even longer duration; me doreS' > >
being dry finder. the ground cOlereu WIN