Evening star., 1901-11-15
HAGERSTOWN NEWS GRIST.
Extreme Dry Weather Damage
Wheat CrOp-Fire In Mountains.

Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
HAGERSTOWN. Md, November IA, 1901.
The scarcity of water, occasioned by the
prevailing long drouth, is becoming se-
rious matter in Washington county. Rain
has not fallen for six weeks, with the ex-
ception of single brief local shower. The
earth is very dry and the water supply
short. Wheat fields are dry as powder and
the grain is stunted. In places it is crac-
tically ruined. This is particularly true of
that which was sown late. Much of it did
not come up on account of a lack of lnoiS-
ture in the ground, and what did come up
has withered. Acres will have to be re-
Sown. The early wheat will not withstand
the dry spell much longer, farmers say,
and they are alarmed lest the entire crop
for next year be blighted beyond all hope
The Potomac river and streams In the
county are very low, so low, in places, that
one can walk from shore to shore on the
stones without getting wet feet. Farmers
in some sections are compelled to drive
their cattle to the streams for water, the
supply on the farms having been ex-
hausted. In some towns and in this city
also many cfsterns are dry.
Mountain fires can be seen in almost
every direction from Hagerstown 1T the
present time. Fire broke out in Catoctin
mountain, north of Middletown early In
the week, and has assumed considerable
proportions. Much valuable timber land
has been burned over. Another fire burned
In the northwestern part of the valley and
another In the mountain in the extreme
southwestern section of the valley, south
Of Harper's Ferry Owing to the protract-
ed dry spell the leaves and underbrush
burn like tinder. The fire at Edgemont
which broke out Saturday, is still ssurning,
feeding on leaves and grass, and has spread
over many acres. Fire fighters are out try
ing to check it.
Eli Beard, aged ffty-five years, was shot
and seriously wounded by Asbury Pine of
Little Cove, near Hancock, this county,
while cunning for wild turkeys. Beard was
calling turkeys in a thick underbush where
Pine could not see him, but fired at ram
dom. The load of shot lodged in his back
and his condition is serious.
The students of the Mercersburg Acad-
emy, in meeting, decided to raise a fund
to send medical missionary to China In
a short time 500 was subscribed, and more
is promised. Enough is in sight to insure
success, and if the missionary is sent he
will be the first from any academy from
The ashes of Percy c. McComas whose
body was cremated in Washington, arrived
in Hagerstown over the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad and were inferred in Rose Hill
cemetery. The regular burial services were
conducted at the grave by Rev. R. A.
Boyle, pastor Of the Presbyterian Church
Of this city.
The State Normal College at Shaph ards-
town. recently destroyed by fire. will be re-
built, contract for $51 600 having been
let for that purpose. The building will
consume 1.OOO.OOO brick, and will be four
stories high.
Rev. Webster c. Spayde. pastor of the
Lutheran congregation at Quincy and
RouzersviIle, has signified his intention to
resign to accept call from Oberlin, Pa.
Rev. W. L. Seabrook, well known in the
Lutheran ministry, and pastor of Grace
Lutheran Church at Winchester. has ac-
cepted call to the pastorate of the Church
Of the Redeemer at Newbury, s. c.
Rev. J. p. Gibson of Brunswick has re-
ceived call to a Calvert county charge
Rev. George c. Everheart, pastor of the
Reformed congregation at Shepherdst ,wn,
has received and accepted call to Harris
burg.
Rev. William Fisher has been elected
pastor of the Burkettsville charge OF the
Reformed Church, and win begin his min
istry on Sunday, November IL.
Mrs J. B. Sweeny and Mrs. Mollie Nc
Laughlin Of this city are visiting Mrs.
Coleman of Capitol Hill. Washington
Mr.. and Mrs. Watson Mccoy have re-
moved from Williamsport, this county, to
Washington.
Miss Name Gibson of Franklin street,
this city, Is visiting friends in Washington