Year: 1867

and SOW as usual, and leave the result with
Providence. They determined that they
would do their part toward raising crop,
just as IT grasshopper was thing unheard
of, and a drouth something unknown in this
country then if they failed it would not be
their fault, and they would have no regrets.
There were some, however, who put off
planting till the last minute, and others re-
fused TO plant altogether, believing it to be
useless waste of time and labor, to say
nothing of seed which it was almost impossi-
bic to procure.


Meanwhile, the grasshoppers commenced
to hatch out. In some localities they APP
peared only in spots, but Oh, how thick they
were in these spots They were like the
sand by the seashore, innumerablc. In the
northern part of the state, and in sandy
places generally, they did all the damage
that we apprehended of them. They took
the wheat and corn as fast as it appeared,
and in fact destroyed almost everything.
The Neasho Valley was more favored. They
did some damage but the majority of the
crops escaped. At about the commencement
of the second week in July, they took their
final leave Of us They presented about the
same appearance in going that they did in
coming. The air looked if it was full of
thistle down cotton from the cottonwood
tree. There We're no tears shed at their de
parture, but we pity those who must receive
and entertain them the coming year.


All things considered, our crops, this
year. have been unusually good Warm
weather and warm rains came on in due sea-
son. and the growth Of all kinds of yegeta-
tion mas been all the most exacting could re-
quire. Wheat fell from S3 per bushel TO 50,
long before harvest. Mr. Hovey had plenty
of wheat offered him at his mill for two dol
lars, more than he cared to buy In the
spring he came to them and offered them
three dollars for their wheat. and they refused
to sell to him, and before harvest they
/ brought it to him and offered to sell for two
dollars. but he refused to buy. The indica-
tions of good harvest made all the differ
/ ence.


! Our winter wheat. Of course, is light,
because it had TO lie sown last fall at the
last moment after the grasshoppers had been
frozen into good behavior, but in places
where spring wheat can be raised TO advan-
tage. it has done uncommonlv well. Oats
are abundant everywhere. There is no pos
sible chance for anybody to find fault with
the oat crop this year. Corn is as good az
it can be. especially that which was planted
carly. There viii be a greater crop of corn
in this valley than was ever produced here
before Our rains, this season, have beer
timely and abundant, and we have no reason
to complain Of anything.


\ very sad casualty occurred here Friday
the 9th inst. Ephraim Fisk. an active youna
man Of twenty years, was struck down by
lightning during a passing shower, and in
stantlv killed He was formerly from Tun


bridge, Vermont. He. together with hi'
father, had built sort of lean-tO for house
on their /" claim" which they were improy-
ing for permanent home, and they wer,
calculating to put up the main building, anc
make further improvements as fast posi-
BILE But his work il forever done At the
moment Of his death, he was sitting near hii
chamber window. all unconscious of his fate


lie was sitting some three or four feet from
the window, but the window was open, anC
it appears that he was the first object touched
by the electric fluid 1t passed down hi


left side to the floor, tearing his clothes Il


fragments on that side. which were found t
be on hrc when ne was discovered. From
his feet the lightning passed into the house
splintering the ioists and studding TO con
siderable extent though not so as to mate


rally damage the building \ pictur


hanging near by was torn t. atoms, the franz
and glass covering of it scattered all over tn


room. The tin in the cupboard nea1


where the lightning passed. had one side


burned and blackened az if exposed u
melting heat. The parents of this youn


man were seated at Il window directly unde
him, but aside from the shock which a rel.or
80 tremendous would naturally make. the
were uniniured. Finding themselves un
harmed their first thought was of Ephraim
Calling to him and hearing no reply, the
knew that he was struck. In an instan
: thev were bv his side. but he was gone, an
no effort Of theirs could bring him back. I
a moment. in the twinkling of an eye, he wa
; called hence and we are admonished to /
: also ready for in an hour think not tn
: Son Of Man cometh He was member {
e the Congregational Church here, in goo
standing, and as far rs his friends can Judge
: his sudden call did not find him unprepareC
Q WILBUR.