Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-27
STORM GENERAL IN NEBRASKA
Lightning Does some Damage, but
Rain il of Great BeneAt
to the Crops.

ST. EDWARD, Neb., March 2e.-(Special)
During the rainstorm last night the large
barn on the farm Of d. X. Wilson Just out
side the city and occupied by his renter. J.
Freeze, was struck by lightning and burned
to the ground, together with seven head Of
horses and one COW, It's bushels OF corn,
fifty bushels OF seed oats, several tons OF
hay. buggies and implements. Nothing was
saved except a few head of cattle and one
2-year-old colt.
PLATTSMoUTH, Neb., March 26.-(spe-
cial.)-During the heavy rain last night
the Chrystal Springs church, two miles
south of this city, was struck by lightning
and flames consumed the structure and con-
tents. There was no insurance.
YORK, Neb., March 26.-(Speclal. )-All
Of York county was well soaked last even
ing with one OF the heaviest rains this
spring. Although the ground was in good
condition, yet the rain that came last even
ing will be of considerable benefit, as It
puts the ground in better shape and will
start the grass much earlier. About one
half the acreage Of oats OF York county is
already in.
WEST POINT, Neb., March 26.-(Special.)
"A severe electric storm passed over this
section last night, accompanied by a heavy
wind. A slight rain fell. Seeding is being
rapidly accomplished, every farmer being
in the field. The ground never was IN bet
ter condition to receive the seed, being
moist and mellow.
LINWOOD, Neb., March 26.-(Special)-
Three fourths Of an inch Of rain fell here
last night, which puts the ground in fine
condition for seeding. Rye and winter
wheat never looked better at this time OF
the year. Farmers are sowing oats and
blowing for corn and spring wheat.
HASTINGS, Neb., March 26.-(special)-
Hastings and Adams county were treated to
a rainfall yesterday Of one and one-eighth
inches. The rain was a soaker, going down
deep into the soil and putting the land In
excellent condition. This rain was just
what the winter wheat was in need of and
its timely arrival assures the farmers OF
an excellent wheat crop.
GENEVA, Neb., March 26.-(Special)-
A fine rain fell last night after a wlnGy,
dusty day.
SUTTON, Neb., March 26.-(Special.)-A
severe rain storm, with high wind, thunder
and hail visited here yesterday afternoon,
continuing into the night; ISL inches Of
water fell.
ELM CREEK, Neb., March 2~6.-(Special.)
A good rain fell Sunday night and yester-
day.
TALMAGE. Neb.. March 26.-(Special.)-
A fine rain fell here last night. Farmers
are busy in their fields and crops are look
ing fine.
ELWOoD, Neb.. March 26.-(Special.)-
Elwood has just had a fine, warm rain Of
about one inch and the winter grain is be-
ginning to make a start. There was no
damage to the planting In this locality and
the early growth last fall was strong and
vigorous. About three-hfths Of the Guilt
waited land was planted to wheat and rye
last fall. With anything like a normal rain
fall during May and June the county will
have the largest crop ever raised. This is
the first year that winter wheat has been
extensively planted and II It proves a sue
cess the farmers expect to see a material
increase in the value OF land. Good farms
with fair improvements can be bought for
$40 to SIS an acre now.