Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1897-08-10
THE GROWING CROPS.
A Scorching Sun and Lack Of Rain
- Cause Alarm.
Heavy Loss to Corn Has Already He-
sulted-Extreme Heat Mt Many
Points Wind, Rain and
Hail Cause Ruin.

Topeka. Kan. Aug. 2.-Reports as to
damage TO the corn crop in Kansas.
Oklahoma and the Cherokee strip as a
result of drought and the prevailing
hot winds are pouring into headquar-
tiers here of the Santa Fe and Rock
Island roads. whose lines practically
cover the state. A summary of these,
reports indicates the conditions to be
as follows: In Oklahoma it is esti-
mated that the damage will amount to-
20 per cent. The damage in south
ern Kansas east of Winfield is slight,
upland fields being the only ones hurt.
West of Winfield the damage is esti-
mated at so per cent. Along the Santa
Fe for 100 miles west of Emporia. on the
main line, a 60 per cent. damage has
been sustained. The Hutchinson
branch reports SO per cent. gone. From
Mcpherson to the Nebraska line and in
eastern and northeastern Kansas the
railroad reports state that the crop has
not been seriously injured. 1t is esti-
mated that the damage to the crop gen
orally throughout Kansas, Oklahoma
and the Cherokee strip is about 40 per
cent Railroad officials here state if
the hot winds continue two days longer
the damage will amount to 60 or 70 per
cent.
All the Country Was Hot.
Chicago, Aug. 2.-Extreme heat pre-
vailed Sunday throughout the country.
Rain in the Rocky mountain region
and showers in Springfield and Cincin-
natl reduced the temperature in those
places somewhat. The tempera ture in
different parts of the country ranged
from Ga degrees at San Francisco to-
102 degrees at Kansas City. For three
days Kansas City has sweltered with
Thermometers at 102 degrees. Through
out Kansas intense heat has prevailed,
and reports as to the condition of the
corn crop are gloomy. Hot winds have
swept across the state, and in the south
ern and western parts, where rain has
been needed for many days. farmers
are losing hope. In addition to the
| damage from the heat. chinch bugs have
made their appearance and threaten
the crop.
St. Louis, Aug. 2.-Ninety-eight de-
| grees in the shade was registered by the
weather bureau at four o'clock Sun
| day afternoon. This was the maximum
| temperature for the day. On the
| streets where the full force of the sun
was felt the thermometer showed 100
and over. There were several prostra-
tons, the most serious being Herman
Moss, aged 20, and Arthur Guinness,
aged 43.
Furious Storms.
Chicago, Aug. "A gale of Sc miles
an hour. carrying with it a terrific
| thunderstorm and some hail. swept
| across from Lake Michigan to the Mis-
sissippi valley early Sunday morning.
damaging crops, wrecking buildings
and causing loss of life. 1t was fol-
lowed later by extreme heat, which re-
suited in many prostrations. The storm
extended only from the eastern border
of Lake Michigan through the lower
part of Minnesota.
Telegraphic reports show the storm
to have been unusually severe at sew
eral points. At Baraboo, Wis, wheat
and corn fields were laid low and wash
outs occurred on railroads. The resi-
dences of William Marriott and Will
| liam Wallace were considerably dam
| aged by lightning. At Butler, Ind, the
| steady downpour saved the crops, which
were suffering from drought. At Val.
| paraiso, Ind, residents claimed that
never before had there been so severe
storm. In the city 500 trees and tele-
| phone poles were blown down. MANY
head of live stock were killed by light
ming and the crops suffered greatly.