The times., 1899-06-16
HORRORS OF HUMIDITY
AFFECT THE CAPITAL
The Citizenry Long for Zero
Temperatures.
Merry Antics Of the Tail End Of a
Hot Wave.
yIunv DrASfruffans RaxuIf 81, a
Many Prosecutions Result From the
Excessiy Heat-Incidcnts of u
sticky, Painting Day.

The perspiring, sticky, painting. mad
dening thing called Humidity captured
Washington yesterday and held the city
against all comers. Even the mercury
gave up the battle after desperate at
tempt to rise above 92 degrees, and
cooling storm was driven away by the
intrepid conqueror. 1t was a great day
for the heartless visitor. and had any man
had knowledge OF where it listed it would
| have been sad event in the annals OF
the Humid family.
AS it was, all mankind In the regions
round about the Capital suffered with
great, perspiring suffering and cried aloud
for such days as would make summer
! seem but fairy tale. No man longed
for sunny slopes or July skies or August
amblings, and the weather man would
have tied matters with Dewey had he but
managed to attract a January blizzard or
February cold wave. Such literature
as dealt with the wierd frozen frolics of
polar bears and the hoary horrors of 100
below zero was eagerly purchased, while
all matters dealing with summer fiction
were avoided as doth a stray summer dog
avoid the policeman's billy.
During the afternoon the streets reseu-
bled long ovens. and heat mingled with
humidity until life seemed one grand car
nival of perspiration. The way of the pc
destrian was hard and hot, for there were
| menials who rode in ice chariuts and cried
cut, saying. rs it hot enough for you?
Selah.'' And there were others who
mourned and scowled, who said l kicked
| at the cold weather last winter?''
| hoI rhar Npbr. fn
stand upon the streets and argue over the
retention Of Americas possessions and like
| questions. These were the same men who
walked three squares out OF their course
to avoid a strange dog. Again there were
others who would carefully avoid the rays
of the sun, but who would playfully growi
at dogs and pat them on the head. HUI
midity hath a wonderful effect upon the
| citiZenry The same man who was unable
to attend TO his business for fear of pros
tration might be seen running bareheaded
for distance to see an unfortunate placed
| in patrol wagon. And the man who ar
gued long and loudly against the dangers
OF ice water might be seen loading himself
down with frigid beer.
! To show that he is not absolutely heart
less. the weather man has stated that the
humid wave is only a temporary affair. and
viii disappear today or tomorrow. A coal
wave has been sighted, and is coming n
this direction. The suffering citizen can
now await the pleasures of 60-degree tenn
perature. for the weather man says II is
coming unless all indications prove value
less.
The hottest temperatures of the day were
scored during the afternoon, when the ner-
curry stood at 80 degrees at 2 o'clock. At
4 o'clock it was 80. and then sank until at
8 o'clock last night 10 degrees were regis
tered. But then it wasn't the heat so much
as the humidity. This must be borne in
mind. according to those who wayiay the
weather and weigh the wind.
This was but the tail end of hot wave
which will soon pass over and worry other
communities. Westerly winds and cloudy
cools are on the list and will be accepted
with many thanks. The hot wave condi-
tions have disappeared and the balance OF
the week the Weather Bureau officials say
will be COOL
There were many heat prostrations yes
terday. but only three serious cases were
reported. Edward George, a eolored
laborer aged twenty seven years, was
overcome while at work in the sheds CT thf
Crawford Paving Company, at Twenty sixth
and Streets northwest. He was taken tC
the Emergency Hospital. This is the third
case of prostration from these sheds.
William Van Meeker, coiored man
aged fifty-fve years. was overcome by the
heat while walking in Florida Avenue yes
terday afternoon. He was removed tc
Freedman's Hospital and was later taker
to his home. 2227 Seventh Street north
west.
Eva Dobson, colored, was overcome a
Seventh and L Streets northwest yester-
day afternoon, and was removed to Freed
mans Hospital.