Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1911-08-02
New Series No. 503.--Volunle LXIII.-No. 3a
DROUGHT CLOSES 1862 MILLS.
10000 Operatives Adrift,-I ong
Drought Causes Water Famine.

DrOuSRC causes water Famine.
Charlotte, N. c., July 31.-As a
climax to the unprecedented drought
this section is experiencing, one hun
dred and f1fty-two cotton mills in
North and South Carolina shut down
to-day because the water in Catawba
river is SO low the Southern Power
Company cannot supply the plants
with power.
1t is estimated that 10000 opera
tives are thrown out Of employment.
1t Is expected that work will be re-
sumed in two days. 1t has been
many weeks since rain Of any conse-
quence has fallen, and local weather
bureau records show now deficiency
of fifty per cent in precipitation for
this section. Creeks which have not
gone dry in forty years are mud
holes, and distress among the rural
population dependent for water on
wells Is great. Mountain streams to
the west, upon which many Touring
mills, tanneries and cotton mills are
dependent for power, have dwindled
to mere brooks in some instances and
many Of the manufacturing enter
prises have been forced to shut down.
Crops in this immediate section are
mers in this and the adjoining coun-
ties, despairing Of a corn crop, have
chopped down the young corn and
are using it for feed, while the hot
winds are playing havoc with the cot
ton.
Cities and towns to the north and
west Of Charlotte are facing the or
deal of water famine that this city is
now experiencing. At Greensboro,
Salisbury, Concord, Spencer, Monroe,
Wadesboro and other places the wa
ter supply problem has reached the
serious stage and measures of econ
omy are being rigidly enforced. The
situation in Charlotte has not improv-
ed materially, though the authorities
are working night and day on the
problem. Feeling that the distress Of
the people is not being relieved as
promptly as was hoped by means of
tank trains from the river at Mount
Holly, the offers Of water from Gas
tonia, Shelby and Lincolnton we're
to-day accepted and tank trains
brought in tonight $4,000 gallons
from each place. This is being pump
ed into the city mains direct by
means Of fire engines, and an addi-
tional steamer borrowed from CO.
lumbia, S. c., will augment the local
fire apparatus in this work to-mor-
row. 1t is hoped by Wednesday to
resume an economic service through
the mains 1t has been cut off since
early Friday
Prayers for Rain.
Special prayer services for rain
were held in churches throughout the
section yesterday. Thcrc was brief
shower this afternCnN and rain Is
falling lightly tonight, with atmos-
pheric conditions that promise relief.
Bad in Kentucky.
Lexington, July 31.--The present
drouth is the worst known in years
in eastern Kentucky, according to re-
ports from that section Of the State.
Fleming county has called upon
neighboring counties for help. Ten
thousand barrels of water were
shipped there. Tobacco and all other
crops are severely affected.
1t has been five weeks since
heavy rain has fallen. Smaller
streams, not entirely dry, are now at
the lowest stages known in years.
Ashcville Assists Sufferers.
Asheville, N. c., July 3l.-To re-
lieve the water famine from which
I'lS ClIlIeuS vi CHdIlOlte are now SUI
fering 100000 gallons Of Asheyille
water will be shipped to Charlotte in
tanks furnished by the Champion
Fibre Company of Canton, on trains
provided by the Southern railway. A
daily supply Of like quantity will
be sent to Charlotte in the event that
the situation there requires It,
This action was decided upon to-
day following the publication Of AS
sociated Press dispatches from Char
lotte wherein the water situation
there was described as most serious.
The offers Of the Champion Fibre
Company and the Southern railway
to furnish tanks and cars for the
transportation Of the water to Char
lotte followed the rendering Of 1OO,-
900 gallons daily by the city authori-
ties.