The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-05-22
CROPS DAMAGED BY HAIL
Kansas and Oklahoma Visited by Hail
Storms.
WHEAT BELT SUFFERS GREATLY
Van ArsdaIe & Osborne Report Heavy
Loss-Extendinq From the North
Line of Kansas to the South
Line of Oklahoma.

The recent wind and hail storms which
were quite general over the entire south
west wrought great havoc TO the grow
ing crops. In some sections many fields
of wheat are reported total losses, but
the disastrous storms OF 1902 proved to
be valuable lesson to the wheat raisers
of this section and this storm found the
majority of fields insured against hail.
To get d correct estimate of the damage
sustained throughout the wheat belt by
the recent hailstorms a reporter for the
Eagle called yesterday at the offices Of
Van Arsdale * Osborne. general agents
for the Saint Paul Fire and Marine In
surance company in Kansas and Okla
homa. The reporter found Mr.. Osbornes
desk piled high with stacks OF notices of
loss by hail. This firm have a territory
covering the entire state of Kansas and
oklahoma and employ a large force of
solicitors besides their local representa-
tives. Their business has been so heavy
this spring that for weeks past their
office force OF eighteen people has been
compelled TO work every night till 10 and
Il O'Clock and the greater part of sun
day.
The disastrous hailstorms of 1892 foune
many farmers insured in mutual compa-
MES. none OF which were able TO pay
their losses in full. which is doubtless
the cause for the extra heavy business
written by Van ArSdale & Osborne this
year. as their company the Saint Paul
Of course. paid all claims In full Their
losses caused by the recent hailstorms
extend from Oberlin. in Decatur county,
Kansas located in the extreme north
western part Of the Ststs1. 10 MauGum
in Greer county. the extreme southern
point in oklahoma. Notices Of losses
were received from Mangum. Granite.
Carmen Hobart Lawton Fl Reno. AIva.
Enid, Augusta and other points in Okla
homa, and from Conway Springs. Ar
hngton, Hutchinson, Argonia Turon.
Oherlin, Stockton and other points in
Kansas The notices received at their
Offices estimate the losses AZ from 81 TO
loo per cent. The heaviest losses were
from Reno county. Kansas and Woods
county. Oklahoma. indicating the heav-
lest fan Of hail near Augusta. Q. T. and
Arlington. Kan.
MIR Osborne stated that they start out
a corps Of adjusterS IN a few days-iust
as soon as sufficient time has been given
for all agents 10 send in their less claims.
1t Is certainly a good thing for wheat
raisers % he able "a insITre against dam
aSe by hail. which protects them against
loss after their CROP is almost made. and.
Judging by the great number OF claims
received by Van ATSdale x Osborne Dur
ing the past Few days. the farmers be
iieve hail insurance 10 be good thing
and are taking advantage OF the protec-
ton IL offers
\ number Of tornado claims were also
received from Woodward Dover. Hunter.
Enid. Lexington ard Guthrie. o. T. How
ever. the hail-iamased section was II
greatest extent and Of most Importance
late last evening this drm received a
telephone message from their agent NJ
Pouca CITY stating that that section was
visited by a severe hsi'storG. Wednesday
evening and did considerable damage 10
wheat and that notices 81 loss were on
the way by mail
IL has been reported that Mrs " c.
Douueily. widow OF VIII non1eIly for
merry a popular mail carrier and Mr.
Paris, formerly owner Of the botjling
works here. were married a few days ago
al Esllinwood