The St. Louis Republic., 1904-12-12
Fail of From Two to Six Inches
General Over Whole of Cen
tral-West Wheat Belt.
COLD WEATHER MAY FOLLOW.
Moist ure is Not Considered Suffi-
cient to Relieve Conditions Re
sulting From Three Months
Without Rain.

Snow varying in depth from two to six
inches fell yesterday in an unbroken line
over the whole of the central western por-
ton of the United States Reports from
Ohio Indiana. Illinois. Kentucky. Iowa.
scarcely any portion of those States was
passed over by the storm.
On the whole the weather was moderate
as long as the fall continued. which in
many sections was for the whole day. Late
reports indicate that a rapidly-falling
temperature followed the snow The wind
which brought the snow was generally
from the southwest but has since shifted
10 the northwest. bringing temperature
with it that threatens to drive the mer-
curry near the zero point
The whole Of the northern part of Mis-
souri, was visited by a heavy fall, which
at some points reached depth of six
inches. In many places the snow melted
as it fell, and throughout the whole wheat
belt Of the West the snow was very
moist, relieving temporarily the dying con-
ditiOn of winter wheat. which was suffer-
ing greatly from a drought Of three
months duration.
South of the Mississippi River the fall
was greatly decreased. and in Southwest
Missouri only slight fiurries accompanied
the cold high wind which came more in
the nature OF a blizzard. Oklahoma an6,
the Indian Territory were scarcely touched
by snow. but there was a sudden change
20 colder temperature in the afternoon.
Clear weather. with some slight indica-
tionS of snow. was generally noted over
the two Territories.
Texas was visited by cold snap. and
a drop of ten degrees in temperature was
noted over the central portion Of the
State between 4 and 6 o'clock in the aft
ernoon. The weather was clear and there
were no Indications Of snow
From every central point IN the great
wheat belt Of the Central West come re-
ports OF relief in the drought situation.
Iowa. Minnesota, Nebraska. Kansas. Mis-
souri, and Illinois were all visited by snow
Wheat. which was literally drying up in
the fields and turning brown. will be bene-
fitted beyond calculation. but as yet the
moisture Is not sufficient to satisfy the
conditions. The absolute failure of rain
at season when the young wheat was
1ust starting to grow had threatened the
farmers with failure in the crop OF next
year.
Stock also was suffering from a lack
of water. In many places wells had gone
dry. creek beds We're empty and the water
in cisterns had given out. As result;
there was no water to give the stock, anc
that used for household purposes was fre-
quently hauled for miles. The hard. dry
ground had thrown the farmers behind
with fall ,plowing. and many fields were
abandoned.
In Indiana and Ohio the snow came Fri
day night and Saturday morning. and has
been followed by cold spell. which shows
no signs of abating. The forecasts in that
section are for continued cold weather
with probably more snow.
Kentucky was visited by the heaviest
snowfall In recent years yesterday but tbs
greater part of it has melted. In Paducah
the fall in thirty minutes was two inches
10 pra
morning which completely melted dur
ing the day, leaving the streets in a
muddy condition
The general fall of rain and snow
throughout the river valleys contributory
to the Ohio has caused a rise at all river
stations