The San Francisco call., 1908-09-20
Fire AND DROUGHT
PLAGUE THE EAST
Pennsylvania Farms and Fac
tories Suffer Hardships
From Lack of Water
Plants Shut Down, Navigation
Practically Closed and For
est Fires Rage

PHILADELPHIA. Sept. 1s.-Pracu-
cally the entire state of Pennsylvania
east Of the Allegheny mountains is suf-
fering from one of the worst droughts
in years In some parts of the state
rain has not fallen in more than two
months. and rivers and streams are so
low that many industries have been in
terfered with and in some instances
plsnts have been shut down for the
lack of water. Forest fires are burn
ing in several sections, and some local
tiles report that crops viii be entirely
ruined unless rain comes soon
At Shenandoah in the anthracite
coal region, the water supply is SO
low that farmers are bringing water
70 the residents in the town lnsteao Oh
vegetables as there IS more pront In
hauling water than peddling produce.
Water sells at cents gallon and
many are compelled to walk three and
four miles TO get a supply even at that
,,rice. Several coal mines In that re-
4jon have been closed because of lack
OF water to run the power plants
RIVER LOWER THAN EVER
AZ Duncannon near Harrisburg the
sesusouehsnna river is lower than IL mas
5Seeu In more than hundred years. In
fCeDIGmOfIs 4ct1s NHC AAfNA -
KHAN II had been since 1903, and
,stone in the Susquehanna opposite
RDuncsnnon was marked and dated.
Yesterday the stone showed that the
river is now 10 inches below the mar
placed there In 1874.
In Philadelphia the Sehuylkill river
IS lower than il has been at any time
since 1859 and canal boats are stranded
at different points in the river between
and the coal regions.
Forest fires which have spread from
railroad tracks TO the timber lands are
causing much excitement and consid-
cradle apprehension about Tobyhanna
and other places in the Pocono noun
4afns at the eastern edge of the state
"A careful estimate places the area al al
ready covered by the flames as $4,000
acres. The fire in some places has
reached a height of 40 feet, and the
loss thus far sustained by various
property owners is great.
STRING OF FOREST FIRES
There are fires OF large proportions
at Cresco, Moscow, Gouldsboro and
near Tobbyhanna, and an almost per-
feet string of fires along what Is
known as Trout creek In much OF
the region swept there is no valuable
timber, but there are some areas
where a considerable number of good
trees have been damaged
At WiIkesbarre the Susquehanns
river IS six inches lower than il evel
was known to be before
Reports from the foothill on th'
eastern side of the Allegheny noun
tsins say the drought has blight
ed every growing thing and is tn
severest in 20 years. There viii no
be one-third of a potato crop. and un
less rain comes soon the corn crol
will be but half an average
Telegraph and telephone companies
having cables crossing the river a
Pittsburg are digging trenches in th'
river bed so the cables can be places
out Of sight Many industries alonl
the river are suspended on account o
no water.
1t is said Of the streams now dry i
is the first time in so years that sucl
condition has existed.
In the Pittsburg harbor there are be
tween IS and 20 million bushels of Goa
ready to be shipped to points south an
west of this city. Many of the rive
coal mines. employing over 1890
miners. may be compelled to suspen'
operations.
To prevent an epidemic the healtl
authorities are flushing several stream
in the Pittsburg district and then coat
ing the bed and banks with lime.
Forest fires in Somerset county, 3
miles from Astoria Pa, have destroye
three lumber camps and abou
100000 feet of lumber, valued a
$3.50, zoe. over 1000 men have bee
lighting the flames for As hours with
cut food or sleep Ii is also believe
that = number OF lives have been los
at this place.
The city of Cory, Pa, is PRACTICAL
surrounded by fire. The forests on a
sides Of the city are abiaze, and til
heavy smoke makes it almost impos
sible to breathe.
During a recent open air prayt
meeting near here a brief thundt
shower occurred. Instead of seekin
shelter, the congregation remained o
the farm singing, Praise God, Frol
Whom All blessings Flow