Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-08-04

VI all the STaSSn0PpST RAIDS 1T iowa
the most extensive, altho not the most
destructive. was that which occurred
in the summer of 1875. In fact the ter
r.iory invaded comprised nearly all OF
western Minnesota. a portion of east
ern Dakota, and western Iowd-a strip
of country 400 or 500 miles long and
80 miles wide. About the first OF
August swarns crossed the state line
from Minnesota and Dakota almost
simultaneously, and swept on toward
tAe east and south. AS late as Oct.
grasshoppers were still migrating east
ward. The most eastern point reached
was in the middle of the state. and the
line retreats westward from Story
equity both north and south With
1876 grasshopper invasions OF Iowa
practically ceased.
March and April of the year 1873
were cold. rainy months The seeding
was long delayed and when Il was IL
nally accomplished the grain was slow
in sprouting and slower in coming thru
the ground. But in Nay the gloomy
prospect frightened; the fields OF
wheat and oats waxed luxnriant. the
corn stretched up by leaps and bounds.
Feasting their eyes on the promising
EiSht CDe settlers Ieil (Iidl tHcy WObiu
be justified in building new granaries.
in purchasing implements, ami in
procuring for their families some o!
the things that had been long denied
Til. hhaT*vss: would pay for all, Mer-
chants were eager TO sell on credit
while multitude of agents for pump.
lightning rod. harvester. and insurance
companies infested the country. They,
- th4 all dc mr.
grain as security. Tempting emporium
tiles for investment in railroad lands
were also afforded, and again promis-
sorry notes were signed. But the day
Of reckoning came too soon.
When the grasshoppers which swept
over that region had finished their
work Of destruction veritable desert
remained where by brief time before
there were acres Of waving grain. II
was estimated that not % per cent OF
the oat crop was left; the corn FIELDS
had suffered equally; while the wheat
in many places was reported to be an
utter failure. 1t was especially un.
fortunate that the ravages were most
destructive in the more recently settled
country where the people were largely
newcomers entirely dependent upon
".
communities was serious misfortune
to them was absolute ruin.
The following account Of the actual
suffering was given in November
1873, by a man who had just left the
stricken region:
Nearly every man is poor-very poor,
and a great majority are ex-soldiers
of the union. with young families To
Gh
the crops, we did the best we could for
the coming winter. We went to the
lakes and caught barrels of fish. but
we did not have the means to properly
care for them; so they spoiled. Stock
was sacrificed to the sharks that infest
our section, at the next to nothing OF
price. and may of us have thus eaten
up and worn out the horses and work
cattle that had been our mainstay. We
could buy no fuel, and when I lef,
twisted hay and rank reed grass was
the only fuel nine-tenths Of the people
we're using. Much sickness prevails
brough. on by long abstinence from
wholesome and nutritious food. One
family knew OF has the father down
with the rheumatism, three out OF six
children were down with the measles
while the mother was about worn down
herself Corn meal, grated from FROST
bitten nubbins, was the only food In
the house, If the sod and board shanty
may be called such. the people bear
with each other. and mutually extend
aid as much as possible. One youns
man from Jasper county. who happens
to be a good shot has valiently taken
upon himself the task Of keeping al
invalid families supplied with meat
wild game. and the day left brought
some geese and ducks to the family
have mentioned. But that will soon
end, with cold weather. You want to
know what they need? They need
everything-fuel, clothing and pro-
visions. The women and children are
suffering greatly already, for the want
OF clothing. know Of several womer
who died soon after giving birth tc
children because they could not have
even the common luxury Of cup Of
tea, or anything nutritious to aid then
| in regaining strength, coupled with the
want OF proper bed covering. The mos
of the counties can extend no aid, FOL
the reason that thieves have been run.
J ming affairs, and have stolen all. Jus
~ they did some years ago In Cla1