The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-10-02
millions ARE LOST -.
I IN THE FOREST FIRES
lives Sacrificed ii Fighting Sweeping
Flames. i@
THOUSANDS or MEN ARE IDLE
Hundreds of People Suffering From
Throat Affection Caused by the VIII
ated Atmosphere Numerous Indus
trial Plants Forced to Suspend Be-
cause of Low Water.

Pittsburg, Pa. Especially. - With
losses aggregating several million
dollars from forest fires and heavy
damage to crops and live stock, the
reported loss of a number of lives
due to fighting timber CONGREGATIONS,
the enforced idleness of thousands of
workmen owing to the suspension of
manufacturing establishments be-
cause of lack of water, the health
authorities anticipating a serious
epidemic of contagious diseases and
many small steams dried up and
practically obliterated, the drouth of
1908, which has held Western Penn
sylvania, Eatern Ohio and West Vir-
ginia in it's grasp for more than two
months, remains unbroken, each day
gradually increasing the seriousness
of the unprecedented situation.
Three times during the excessive
dry spell there have been very slight
rains, accompanied by much lightning
and thunder, but the rainfall was so
slight that many persons were UNI
aware of the fact and were only
convinced that it had rained when
shown evidence of the same on tin
roofs.
Epidemic Feared.
Aside from the millions of feet
of timber destroyed and the daily
loss to manufacturers and farmers,
probably the most serious phase of the
situation is threatened disease cpl
denic. A majority of the population
of Western Pennsylvania, Eastern.
Ohio and West Virginia are even now
suffering from throat affections caus-
ed by the great accumulation of dust
and the heavy clouds of smoke. In
this city, used to smoke, the sun is
almost obscured by the smoke from
the forest fires miles away and per-
sons in the vicinity of these fires
are experiencing difficulty in breath
ing. 1t is feared that when the rain
does come it will wash great amounts
of filth into the already stagnant
streams, with the result that disease,
especially typhoid fever, will become
epidemic. The health authorities
have sounded warnings to the pub
lie to boil all water used for inter-
nal purposes and say by doing this
only can many death and much sick
ness be prevented.
Next in Importance comes the en-
forced suspension of numerous in
dustries and the throwing out of en-
ployment of thousands of workmen,
many of whom had just returned to
work following the recent depression
While in the Pittsburg District the
water supply is sufficient to carry
on all business, the low stage of the
rivers has caused a congestion of
much coal in this vicinity.
Cannot Ship Coal.
Every available barge and float has
been loaded with coal and at present
with almost 20,000,000. bushels in
the. Pittsburg harbor, the river coal
mines have been compelled to shut
down for the want of shipping facili-
ties. There are about $4,000 min
ers employed in river mines along
the Monongahela Valley. This great
fleet of coal is for the supply of
points in the West and South, and
the probabilities are there will be
coal famine experienced, especially in
the Northwest, should conditions pre-
vent the shipment Of the coal before
cold weather sets in. In West Vir-
ginia lumber plants, glass factories
and iron and steel mills, located
along the rivers, are closed on ac-
count of insufficient water. In East
ern Ohio the same conditions prevail
and it is feared the great iron and
steel mills at Youngstown, Ohio, en-
ploying over 10000 men, will have
to suspend operations unless the
drouth is speedily broken.
In all sections of the dry zone
prayers are offered up daily and these
prayers will continue until they are
answered with rain.