1903 
1 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
473 
Events of the Week. 
domestic.—E ast St. Louis was flooded by the break¬ 
ing of a railroad embankment June 10, which admitted 
the overflow from the Mississippi, driving 10,000 persons 
from their homes, and drowning 60. Many endangered 
persons were reluctant to leave their homes on account 
of the depredations by river thieves. At Alton, Ill., the 
State militia was called upon to protect property in the 
flooded district. Great distress has followed the floods. 
and urgent pleas are made for outside aid. 
Regular troops were ordered June 10 from Fort Grant 
and Fort Huachuca, to Morenci, Ariz. This order is in 
response to a telegram to the President from Acting Gov¬ 
ernor Stoddard, of Arizona, who says that 3,000 men, 
mostly foreigners, are on strike at Morenci. This is the 
result of the attempted operations under the eight-hour 
law passed by the last Legislature. The miners, of whom 
many are Mexicans and the rest Italians, refused to work 
under the law, and more than 2,000 walked out. The 
smelter men joined the strike, swelling the number of 
strikers to 3,500.Twelve bodies of persons swept 
to death by the cloudburst at Clifton, Ariz., June 10, 
have been recovered and authoritative reports place the 
casualty list at 35. Many were swept down stream to 
the San Francisco River and will never be found. Others 
are buried under piles of dObris.Fire at West 
Palm Beach, Fla., June 9, destroyed the Breakers, a 
large hotel, and other property, with a loss of about 
$ 700,000 .Heppner, a town of about 15,000 population 
In eastern Oregon, and Lexington, a village of 300 popula¬ 
tion, 10 miles north of Heppner, were destroyed June 14 
by a flood which resulted from a cloudburst. Between 
275 and 300 lives were lost at Heppner, where 115 bodies 
were found up to June 17. The number of lives lost at 
Lexington is unknown, but it is said that the town has 
been depopulated. From the details gathered from every 
part of Morrow. County, where the damage occurred, it 
appears that a giant wali of water, almost house-top 
high, bearing on its crest trees, timbers and rocks, de¬ 
scended upon Heppner, the town farthest up the valley. 
Many people were at evening service in the churches 
and others were in their homes. There was no warning, 
buildings crumbled before the terrible deluge, and hu 
man beings were crushed and torn to be submerged and 
strangled at last beneath a mighty river flowing along 
a course where 10 minutes before hardly a trout brook 
could be found. Gathering breadth as it progressed the 
water rushed on down the valley, sweeping everything 
before it. Lexington was almost entirely submerged, 
and the loss of life there is supposed to have been 
greater than at Heppner, the first town visited by the 
ueluge. At lone the waters of Wilson Creek were aug¬ 
mented by a mighty volume of muddy water which 
came down from the hills above. Twenty-five miles of 
rich and prosperous country, thickly populated and laid 
olt into squares of wheat land, just turning from green 
to gold, and dotted with farmhouses, is now a pathless, 
worthless and almost lifeless waste.Cloud¬ 
bursts near Park City and Columbus, Mont., June 14 
wrought destruction. There appear to have been two, 
one in the hills north of Park City along Valley Creek, 
and another on Keyser Creek, west of Columbus. The 
flood came down from the hills in a great wave. The 
shearing pens of C. T. Thomas, nine miles north of the 
railroad, were swept away completely. Several hundred 
head of sheep and 25 head of cattle were drowned. Fur¬ 
ther reports tell of heavy live stock damage. 
Surgeon-General Wyman, of the public health service, 
regards the danger from the presence of bubonic plague 
in San Francisco as successfully passed. There have 
been but two cases there since January 1, both of which 
were fatal. The strict surveillance maintained by the 
San Francisco health authorities and the well-disciplined 
service of the Federal officials have combined to stamp 
out the dreaded disease. Chinatown has been condemned 
by the city authorities, and is being torn down and re¬ 
placed with buildings of a more substantial character, 
which can be kept clean. 
ADM INIS'! RATION.—A postal convention between the 
United States and Cuba, continuing in force the present 
two-cent letter rate between the two countries and the 
present systems concerning the exchange of money order 
and registered packages, was signed June 16 by Senor 
Quesada, the Cuban Minister, and Postmaster-General 
.The prospects of the ratification of the 
Panama Canal treaty by the Colombian Congress are 
extremely dubious, but the advices to the State Depart¬ 
ment are so conflicting as to leave the officials in doubt 
as to the outcome. It is believed, however, that senti¬ 
ment in Colombia is adverse to ratification. The advo¬ 
cates of ratification seem to be confined principally to the 
three provinces of Panama, Cauca and Antloqula. which 
make up the Isthmus of Panama proper. The States in 
the interior of the country which would not be directly 
benefited by the development of Isthmian trade show 
signs of increasing opposition. 
OI'INERAL FOREIGN NEWS.—'I'he King and Que< 
of Servia were murdered in their palace at Belgrade Jui 
U. as the result of a military conspiracy to put Pet 
Karageorgevich on the throne. Several members of tl 
King’s cabinet were also murdered. The palace was tl 
scene of a midnight battle, the King and Queen beii 
hunted through the rooms until finally brutally slaugh 
ered on the roof. King Alexander 1., of Servia, was 
his twenty-seventh year and had held the throne .sin 
fl4j9,when his father abdicated and left his son to su 
eeed him under the regency of three Ministers. His li 
was full of Incident and adventure that would have bei 
fomantic but for his moral depravity. This he I 
herlted from his father. King Milan, who bore the wor 
possible reputation. King Alexander married Mm 
Braga Maschin, one of his mother’s ladies In waltln 
fhe marriage was not happy, and Queen Draga was vei 
unpopular with the people. Prince Peter Karageorg 
V tch, who has been proclaimed King of Servia. bases h 
Claim to the throne on his ancestor. Karageorge wl 
t orn 1804 until 1813 was leader of the Servians and clean 
the country of Turks after years of fighting. The Turk 
however, made a new conquest of Servia in 1813, ai 
Karageorge fled to Austria. He returned four years 
later an3 was assassinated by order of Milos Obrenovich, 
who had made himself leader in Karageorge’s absence. 
The Obrenovitchs remained In power until 1842, when 
they were forced out and Alexander Karageorgevltch, of 
the family of the new King, was proclaimed Prince. 
Alexander was in turn driven out in 1858, and an Obreno- 
vltch again put In power. Prince Peter Karageorgevltch 
was born in Belgrade in 1846. His father was the prin¬ 
cipal instigator of the murder of Prince Michael, of 
Servia, In 1868, and was forbidden ever to set foot in 
Hungary. _ 
CROP PROSPECTS. 
Crops are looking fine; everything with the exception 
of grass. We have had a very nice rain for the last four 
days (June 12), and I think it will bring the hay up to 
about two-thirds of a crop. The farmers are plowing 
and planting a large acreage of corn. w. N. o. 
Franklinvllle, N. Y. 
In regard to the farming conditions our stock men are 
putting In fodder corn, etc., though we have had rain 
in good showers since June 7 and it has not cleared away 
as yet. We still hope for half a hay crop or more, anti 
with favorable weather should say that it would exceed 
that. j_ c. N. 
Hamburg, N. Y. 
The drought has been something terrible In this sec¬ 
tion. Hay is a failure. Corn is coming very uneven, 
with many fields to be replanted. Much plowing is yet 
to be done for corn. One extreme always follows another. 
It began raining here at Dryden at 6 P. M. June 10, and 
it continued nearly all the time for five days after. 
Dryden, N. Y. j. b. w. 
In this section the farmers are completely demoralized. 
The hay crop is about one-fourth the average; Spring 
grain is very uneven owing to the drought. Winter wheat 
is not filling and turning yellow at the roots. Hops are 
the only crop making a fair growth. We had a fine rain 
June 11-12, and farmers can now plow and put in fodder 
corn to fill their silos. j. b. c. 
Vernon, N, Y. 
The farmers of Lewis County have not suffered seri¬ 
ously from the drought so far, and as it has been raining 
(June 11) for the past three days with every indication 
of continuing we are hopeful. Crops, although back¬ 
ward, are in fine shape to develop in iarge growth with 
proper weather from now on. Pastures will recover In 
a few days to normal condition. w. s. w. 
Lowvllle, N. Y. 
Aside from hay and such crops as need an abundance 
of water, it now looks as though they would be fully 
up to the standard, if not more so. The fruit and grape 
crop looks as though it would be much better than a 
year ago. We have not had a prolonged drought here, 
possibly several weeks of dry weather, but not so pro¬ 
longed as really to make much difference in crops aside 
from hay. Some meadows are being plowed up and 
planted to corn in order to make fodder for stock, but 
aside from hay the remainder of the crops seem to be 
doing well through this county. h. m. c. 
Fredonla, N. Y. 
The farmers In our county have not suffered as much 
by the drought as those living in adjoining counties. 
The rains we had the past week (June 13) have made 
everything look much brighter. Only a fair crop of hay 
will be given us this year. Winter grain looks very well, 
although early seeding Is mostly killed. Oats and corn 
are growing nicely. Fruit where the May frost did not 
strike looks well. A large crop of potatoes is being 
planted with us. I have not noticed any meadows being 
plowed up. A number of farmers are putting in large 
fields of sowed corn. Grapes will yield a fair crop this 
c. A. 8. 
Bath, N. Y. 
In regard to crops, the rains that began June 7 here 
put new faces on the farmers. Hay will, of course, be 
a very short crop, and sowed corn will be put in in 
greater quantity. Grains are looking well considering 
the drought, and beans are now being planted in large 
acreage, also potatoes. Cabbage will be a shorter crop 
than usual, the long drought having retarded growth of 
plants. The acreage of tomatoes Is greater than ever, 
owing to the building of a new factory here, and 500 
acres of sweet corn are contracted here for the same fac¬ 
tory—a new crop with us. Apples are looking well and 
promise a fine crop. Peaches, plums, cherries and some 
pears will be short. l h b 
Albion, N. Y. 
The true condition of farming in our locality looks 
brighter, as we have had showers June 10 and 11 which 
revived everything except rye. That crop Is a ’ failure 
here in a radius of 20 miles or more; hay will be a light 
crop, and will not be cut until about August 1, if then 
We are sowing millet and corn, and we expect to winter 
about 76 head of Holsteins and 1,600 S. C. B. Leghorns. 
We have 45 acres of corn In, about 18 for silage; oats 
look well, a dark green color, and if frequent showers 
occur we shall have a fair crop. Pastures were very 
red before the showers, but seem to look quite green 
since. This section along the Albany and Hudson Rail¬ 
road has developed in the last three years from general 
farming into a dairy section, shipping milk to Albany 
and New York. 
E. Schodack, N. Y. 
The feeling in the farming community is that the 
drought is now broken, and that under most circum¬ 
stances the crops will come along and mature well. The 
hay crop, I think, will be sufficient. There was a dispo¬ 
sition to plow up much of the meadow land and sow the 
same to corn; of course, until the late rain it was im¬ 
possible even to plow. There is a spirit of confidence 
abroad that although it is now late in the season for 
crops to be sown, the season will be lengthened; so that 
there will be no danger of a failure of crops either of 
hay or grain, in this part of the State. Already there 
seems to have been a quick and rapid growth In grass 
and the grain which was not entirely killed out by the 
drought. Within a week or two, the question, as to 
whether the farmers will plow up their meadows and 
sow to corn or rely upon the hay crop will be deter¬ 
mined. At this time (June 15) all seem to think that 
there will be about an ordinary hay crop. w. C. 
Canton, N. Y. 
The past drought has affected farming most seriously 
in this section, especially the hay crop. A great many 
old meadows will not be cut at all, no matter how much 
rain we have from now on. New seeded meadows are 
growing fast since the rain, but will be a short crop, and 
will make haying later. Corn has been quite badly 
affected, and some has had to be replanted. Some farm¬ 
ers have not been able to plow their corn ground on 
account of the dry condition of the soil. More corn 
fodder Is being planted than usual on account of the 
shortage In the hay crop. Old hay is being held at a 
high price by the farmers. Oats are very backward 
and uneven, and some were plowed under, but they are 
growing fast since the rain. Potatoes are looking well 
and promise to be a good croi». L. p. s. 
Monticello. N. Y. 
The unprecedented Spring drought was thoroughly 
broken here June 11. 'Pwo or three previous showers had 
brought some relief to gardens and recently-sown crops, 
but had not penetrated deep enough to loosen the earth, 
but the 20 hours’ steady downpour of that date brought 
courage and hope to farmers. The chief loss experienced 
has been in the damage to the upland hay crop and the 
delay in corn planting, many being unable even to plow 
for it. Sowed corn will be substituted for the loss of 
hay. A considerable acreage of corn will, however, now 
be planted with a hope of securing some grain and at 
least fodder. Meadows have not been plowed up to any 
extent, for a late crop of grass is counted upon now. 
In short, the rains have very materially changed the 
farming conditions in this vicinity, assuring a good berry 
crop, helping Spring seeding and early planted corn and 
potatoes; and making it yet possible for full barns of 
fodder. e. c. c . 
Naples, N. Y. 
Rockland Co., N. Y., together with the other portions 
of the Middle and Eastern States, has suffered from the 
recent drought, but not in as marked a degree as some 
other sections, as two or three local showers have fallen 
to our lot, and though not enough to help the meadows, 
they hastened the germination of seeds that were planted, 
and caused gardens, corn and potato fields to start out 
fairly well. Play will be unusually short and poor in 
quality. In a drive I took a few days since down as far 
as Somerset Co., N. J., I did not see 10 acres of good 
meadow In the entire distance. As an adjunct to th.i 
short hay crop, more fodder corn will be planted than 
ever before. It is now raining hard (June 12); ground 
is getting a thorough soaking, and the farmers of this 
locality will be able to prepare their pickle fields and get 
them planted, as the pickle industry flourishes to quite 
an extent here. Dry weather is responsible for a short 
strawberry crop, and I notice fruit has been dropping 
badly in apple, peach and plum orchards; no pears worth 
mentioning. e. t. 
Spring Valley, N. Y. 
Clover is almost an entire failure. It is hoped that by 
cutting early a second crop may be obtained. Corn has 
not come up well; some are harrowing and planting over 
again. Wheat Is short but fair. The Insect is making 
sad havoc with it. Timothy meadows must necessarily 
be poor. It has rained for a week (June 13) and the 
ground is quite thoroughly saturated with water retard¬ 
ing bean planting as well as corn planting. Farmers 
who kept on plowing during the drought have succeeded 
in getting planting done. The ground is cold, and planted 
crops are doing nothing just now. Pasture will doubt¬ 
less improve. The time of year will give farmers an 
opportunity to sow corn and millet for fodder, but the 
grain supply must of necessity be away below the aver¬ 
age. Oats came up badly, and as all grains mature at 
such a time you can see how it will be with them. The 
grapes look fine but are set light. Apples are looking 
well, but other fruits were killed in the blooming period' 
quite generally. This is not a stock county, yet every 
farmer keeps some, and this line of farming will receive 
no special setback here. Not much rye is sown here, but 
what there is looks fine. j. a. t. 
Penn Yan, N. Y. _ 
BUSINESS BITS, 
"Thistle-ine,” as the name would indicate, Is a prepa¬ 
ration for destroying Canada thistles, but it destroys 
other weeds as well. A user writes the manufacturer as 
follows: “I take pleasure in advising you that the poison 
ivy upon which we sprinkled your ‘Thistle-ine” a few 
weeks ago is entirely dead. The leaves died within a 
few days after the application.” The Lindgren Chemical 
Co., 8 So. Iowa St., Grand Rapids, Mich., is the manu¬ 
facturer, and will be glad to send any reader full in¬ 
formation. 
In the year 1885 there was first put upon the market for 
sale a stock protector called “Shoo-Fly,” for which the 
claim was made that it would positively keep flies away 
from animals, and that it was harmless to man and beast. 
So successfully did this new protector of stock meet all 
requirements that it soon began to be called “The Ani¬ 
mal’s Friend.” “Shoo-Fly” is for sale generally by deal¬ 
ers. If for any reason it cannot be bought of the dealer 
write to the Shoo-Fly Manufacturing Company, Phila¬ 
delphia, Pa., for prices and particulars. 
manufacture every description of modern .sawmills in 
all sizes are offering an exceptional bargain in their 
Farmers sa.wmill at $125. This will cut 2,000 feet of lumber 
per day with only four horse power. So great is the 
popularity of this mill that its sale has extended around 
the world, not only into Alaska. British Columbia and 
MexicO’ but across the sea to Europe, Asia, Africa and 
the islands of the sea. Their handsome eatalogue will be 
readers who request it, and is highest 
authority on the subject of which it treats. &nest 
Hay balers ■will be interested in the Ell Power Presses 
manufactured by the Collins Plow Company, Quincy, lll*^ 
this company manufactures about everything that could 
in pattern and size. The power “Ells” are 
^If-feeding, have automatic condensing hoppers, auto¬ 
matic block ijlacers, signal belts for regulating size of 
bales, etc. 'These presses are made in bolh wool and 
steel cases. They have a record of three bales a m nute 
the shapely and solid compac™char: 
actei of the bale, ought to meet the requirements of the 
most exacting buyer. The Eli press has ostoKHov.’^ 
most enviable character by long slrvi^e* in 
I hose thinking of buying should get the Ell catalogue 
and make a study of its claims. It is mailed ^ 
