Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-23
Valuable Property Destroyed in
Town of High Point.
The TOTAL LOSS is HEAVY.
Only Partly Covered by Insuranco-A
Gloomy Crop Report Issued by the Gov
ornment-An Extremely Distressing
Condition Among Farmers in Counties
Where There Has Boon no Rain Cotton
Rolls Small and Opening promaturely-
Growth OF all Crops Retarded.

Raleigh. NJ c., Aug. 22-The manu-
facturing town OF High Point was Wis
TIED this afternoon by the most disas-
trous fire In the history OF the place.
Inc town has no water-works and rain
saved the business portion from being
entirely destroyed.
The fire started in the steam laundry.
This. with the wooden buildings of J.
W.. Sechrest, undertaken; Bodenhamcr
and Fails livery stable. the brick block
owned by Rev w. j. Groom, in which
were Snaps Racket store; Opera
House, Spcnccrs Grocery store and
lodge rooms: Nation and Turner build
ing, occupied by G.. IL. IIearns grocery
store, with residence rooms on second
moor, were completely destroyed.
animals and vehicles in stables were
saved
The total loss is heavy and only part
~ covered by insurance.
a GLOOMY CROP REPORT.
The Government crop report for
North Carolina. issued yesterday, is
gloomy one. 1t says that notwith-
Btanding some Improvement in croD
conditions caused by local rains over
limited areas the reports of crop cor
respondents for the week ended last
night are generally very unfavorable.
Thunder showers occurred on the 18th
aud 10th. with the most abundant pre-
SiPiNfhtiun ulOup u line from Charlotte
through Raleigh to Norfolk but north
and south OF this line. as well as over
toe majority OF counties near the coast
and in the mountain section, very lit
Tie or no precipitation whatever was
reported. Moreover I'm those counties
where rain did occur, it's influence was
but temporary. and the soil is now US
dry almost as before. The heat has
no. aba ted: The mean temperature was
again degrees daily above the nor
M
100 degrees every day OF the week.
practically, therefore, the orouth still
prevails with almost undiminished in
tons.ty. and is extremely distressing
over those counties which have re-
cetVcG no rain whatever. Flowing for
fall crops Is impossible; very few tur-
nips have been sown; fodder pulling,
however, has made good Roadway.
Cotton is holding out we'll only on stiff
clay lands: all other crops have I'M
questionnbly dcteriorated very much.
The rain of the 10th CAUSED some i'm
proVement in places. a large number
OF correspondents state that cotton
hollis nrc very small and are opening
prsinaturcly, and lint from such cotton
cannot fall TO be short and inferior in
quality: fresh blossoms are not form
Ing and shedding continues. All re-
ports agree that the cotton crop, once
the most promising crop in the State.
has been materially cut short by the
drouth. Picking has commenced, and
the firat new bales have been market
ed. Young corn throughout the sec
lions where showers occurred may
yield a fair crop under future favor
able conditions. but generally the corn
crop is now very poor; much fodder
has dried up completely before the ears
have matured. Tobacco Is ripening
very fast, and the late crop is not good:
cutting and curing have advanced
steadily. Peanuts, sweet potatoes and
though refreshed by showers here and
there. Gardens are practically worth
less. Summer apples have been sun
Gcalded and have dropped considera-
bly,; winter apples also are poor, and,
on the whole. the apple crop Is inferior.
Ridge report n full and fine crop.
The drouth is so severe along the line
OF the Aberdeen and Ashcboro railway
that the water supply is nearly ex-
hausted and the railway has been
forced to take off one train and to no.
tffy shippers that it may have to dis
continue all.
BREVITIES.
Bishop Fitzgerald, of the Methodist
Episcopal Church South, who has been
at Ashcville over n month for the ben
eft of his health, is greatly improved
Pinkeye, n dreaded disease among
horses. has appeared at Asheville. and
10 horses owned by one man are ar-
fected.
Col. j. K. Connally, a brother-in-law
of Rev. DR.. }. l.. NJ. Curry, will build
q 100000 hotel Mt the foot of Mount
Mitchell. It will be like one of the
Swiss mountain hotels.
The Seaboard Air Line Is making
good progress in constructing It's ex-
tensive new depot and warehouses at
RidGeway Junction.