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VOL X THE UlOfUiD DRYING UP? A Steady Decrease in Rain Fall During the Last Twenty Years, HOW TWO YEARS BEHIND, 1897 Threatens to Break All Previous Records For Deficiency—Some Figures. The world is slowly drying up This is a startling fact, but is sup ported by statistics of the United States weather bureau. If the record continues unbroken in less than 100 years this will be an arid desert. For the last forty years there has been a gradual decrease in the rainfall. Up to ten years ago this was hardly noticeable, but for the past eight years the deficiency of rain has been so great as to be a larming. The number of inches of rainfall last year was but a small per cent over half what it was ton years ago. The rapid decrease in rainfall began in 1888. That year the pre cipitation was abnormally largo, registering 64.98 inches. The next year it was more than ten inches less, and has rapidly decreased un til last year the total rainfall was but 34.12 inches. The normal rainfall is 51 99 inches, or a fraction less than fifty two inches every year. Estimat ing that 51.99 inches is the normal annual precipitation the world is now over two years behind in her rainfall, assuming that last year is the now avorago of yearly rain fall. During the past eight years only 354.58 inches of water fell. The normal rainfall should have been 415.92, or 61.34 inches deficiency during the eight years. Added to this startling deticiency is the de ficiency accumulated during the six months of the present year just closed. This deficiency on June 30th amounted to 7.44 inches which added to the deficiency of the eight preceding years amounts to 68.78 inches of water yet due tho earth by old Jupiter Pluvius. This defiency amounts to more than twice the total rainfall of the past year, which was 34 12. . If tho rainfall continues to de crease as fast for the next twenty years as it has during tho past years by the end of that period tho old world will be ns dry as a hot brick. This is a terrible picture to con template, but the figures of tho men employed by the government to keep a daily record of every trace of water that falls from the heavens show that the rainfall is decreasing and that if a change in the tide does not come soon this section of the world will be a dry, rainless piece of dirt. A close investigation has reveal ed the fact that there is no known scientific reason for the abnormal condition. It is simply an unparalleled freak of nature which the wisest of mortals has beeu unable to ex plain. The record of rainfall for the past forty years shows that at no time has there been anything to equal The drying process of the world. Farmers have complained of the excessive droughts, but they have never thought that the rain didn’t fall at some season of the year. It has always been thought that the rain fell at some season, and not until now has the shock ing fact come to light that the world was drying up. This year promises to eclipse any year in the recorded history of the world. Up to the present THE SUMMERVILLE NEWS. tin»3 the rainfall has been far be low the average and the rainy months of January and March are past. If tho rainsall for the re mainder of the year is no more than it has been during the cor responding months of the past few yf ars, then 1897 will break the record for dry weather. Last year i broke all previous records, but this year has s'arted in to smash even that of 1896. TheAnonth of May was the dryest month of May ever recorded in this section, and dur ing the month of June just closed i tho rainfall was less than half the ! normal. With a deficiency of nearly eight inclos staring the , people in the face they can hardly i hope for the rainfall to recover its normal bofore the elose of the present year. The si'uation is certainly one of interest despite the awful prospect presented. It is an attractive but :iot a pleasing study to sit down and figure how long it will bo be fore the inhabitants of this sphere will bo left without anything to drink, and tho earth will be but a piece of parched geology. It is a ghastly thought to think that in side of fifty years tho people may be murdering each other for a last drop of water. For years it has been noticed that the rivers have been drying up. Water courses that wore once navigable are now mere sandy bottomed and barred streams. When a rain falls the wators overflow the banks of the river, but in a few days it is again the little straggling creek. This is in part explained by the cutting down of the forests, but the same explanation does not fit the case of deficient rainfall. The large loresiß did hold the fallen rain and help it from rushing into the streams, and by that means pre vented the floods that today men ace the country, but those forests did not conduce to a heavy rain fall. Mr. J. B. Marbury, tho local fore cast official of the United States weather bureau, was asked yester day to explain the abnormal 'defi ciency in the rainfall. He said that there was no reason for it that could be explained scientifi cally. He could not explain tho unusual and rapid decrease during tho past few years except that it might be an era of drought that may have occurred before in the history of the world. He had nev er heard of a period of unusual drought extending over so many years and could not explain the gradual but certain decrease dur ing the last forty years. The record presented below would prove that such would be the case. For ten years the an nual rainfall has been as follow's: ISBS 64.98 iuches. 1889 54 75 iuches 1890 42.60 inches 1891 49.97 inches 1892 49.87 inches 1893 36.43 inches 1894 40.92 inches 1895 45.92 iuches 1896 34 12 iuches Prior to 1888 the rainfall aver aged about fifty-five, and frequent ly went up above sixty inches. The record shows that every year almost was above the present nor mal of 5199. “Last summer one of our grand children was sick with a severe bowel trouble,” says Mrs. E. G. Gregory, of Fiederickstown, Mo. “Our doctor’s remedy had failed, then we tried Chamberlain’s Colic, Cholera and Diarrhoea Remedy, which gave very speedy relief.” j For sale bo H. H, Arrington. i GREAT SALES prove the great merit of Hood's Sarsaparilla. Hood’s Sarsaparilla sells because it > accomplishes GREAT CURES. To fur? Constipation iorever. ! Take Cascarets Candy Cathartic. 10c or 25c. if C. C. C. fail to cure, druggists refund money. SUMMERVILLE, CHATTOOGA COUNTY, GEORGIA, JULY 14, 1897. THE BItUE AND GRAY. How An Actress Calmed A Bitter Wave of Feeling. TIMELY, THOUGHTFUL ACT, That Turned The Tide Os Feeling—A Touching Sto ry Os The Blue And Gray. A story was told at the recent meeting of the chiefs of police in Pittsburg which is retold, and worthily, by tho Press. One of the chiefs of police from ono of the largest southern cities said : “You may scarcely believe the st'-ry lam about to tell you, that one of the principal and interme diate factors in reconciling a little unpleasantness which arose in 18- 91, and which threatened to dis rupt the relations of tho two sec tions of which we have been speak - iug, w r as an actress. The story is vividly recalled to me because I was present at the time I mention and the names of the people con nected therewith are now all high in administrative, official and di plomatic circles. The Actress I mentioiTwas Miss Rose Coghlam and it was one of the most memor orable incidents in my experience. Reading of Miss Coghlan’s illness in a New York hospital reminded me of the story, and of the exceed ing warmth and friendly feeling which the whole south feels tow ard that brilliant actress. The scene was the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House; the time, the night of Decoration Day, May 30, 1891. The grand Army had given a great parade in New' York city that day, and as usual held a camp fire at the Metropoli tan Opera House in the evening. Sandwiched in between the speak ers —the most notable men in the country—w'ere professional stars, giving recitations, and singers of the opera house, all of whom con tributed their services free of charge. On that afternoon a statue of Robert E. Lee had been dedicated at Richmond, Va., and the afternoon papers in New York had described the parade in detail with the speeches, including which was one of Fitzhugh Lee, now consul gener al at Havana. The accounts stated that all the Confederate vet erans parading had carried their old battle flags, torn by shot and shell, and that all the buildings a long the route of the parade were decorated with Confederate and American flags. It w r as also stated that at the conclusion of the cer emonies they marched out on the Mechanicsville road to the ceme teries and decorated the graves of the Confederate and union dead alike. This last incident w r as forgetton by some of the speakers at the meeting referred to, and those who mentioned the fact proceeded to assail the Confederates for daring to parade with the stars and bars, aud they waved the bloody shirt in true old 1868 style. To show you how' important the meeting was, I will say that the orator of the day was our now President McKiuley. The chairman of the meeting was Gen. Russell A. Alger, now secreta ry of war; the vice-president was Hon. John Sherman, now secretary of state, and among others present were Chauncey M. Depew, Gen. Horace Porter, now ambassador to France, and many others of equal note. Now t , you may be wondering where Miss Coghlan’s connection with this story comes in. She had been invited to recite and the speaker immediately preceeding Miss Coghlan’s appearance, I have forgotton his name, but I recollect that he was most determined that any man carrying a rebel flag with in the boundaries of the United States should be hanged, drawn and quartered, wa9 heartily ap plauded by the members of the G. A. R., to the number of 600 or 700, who were seated on tho stage be hind the speakers. In the audience that evening were Miss Winnie Da vis, the daughter of Jefferson Davis, ex-president of the Confederacy; Mrs. Jackson, widow'of Gen. Stone wall Jackson and several other i southern ladies, occupying the box to the right of the stage. They looked very uneasy during this gentleman’s remarks. Miss Cogh lan followed him, and was led out on the stage by Gen. Alger, who in troduced her to the audiente, say ing that she would recite in com pliment to the G. A. R., “Sheri dan’s Ride.” She was greeted with great applause, aud as an encore gave “The Charge of the light Bri gade.” The audience called her out again and again, and finally it must have been an inspiration, she in those wonderful rich tones for which she was famous, said: “La dies and gentlemen, I thank you, but I am going to give you a little pcem, which I trust you will all appreciate, particularly after what has occurred to-night. It is entit led “The Blue and the Gray.” There was a deathlike stillness in the house. I myself had never heard the poem and wondered what it was. Three verses she read, each verse endirg with something like this: Under the lilies the dow, Wailing the judgement day, Love and tears for the blue, Tears and love for the gray. At the fourth verse she turned her back entirely to the audience and in sentimental tones, address ing the G. A. R , she read these wonderful words: No more shall the war cry sever, Nor the running rivers be red; They banished our anger forever, When they laureled the graves of our dead. She never finished. As one per son the entire house of 5,000 or 6,000 were on their feet shouting like mad. The southern ladies leaned out of their box and waved their handkerchiefs in delight and approbation. The rebuke that was administer ed there was firmly planted in rich soil, for there has been no more waving of the bloody shirt. There fore do I say that Rose Coghlan was a great contributor to the cause of peace in those trouble some days, and I drink her very good health.” And tbey all did. NEGOTIATIONS MAY FAIL, Turkey Not Disposed To Accept PTaus That Are Pro posed. Contrary to expectations, the de cision of the council of ministers yesterday was not favorable to the demands of the ambassadors rela tive to the Greco-Turkish frontier negotiations. The situation, therefore, is' re garded as being very strained, the Turkish reply virtually implying a rupture of the negotiations and, that the powers must make a con cession or adopt measures to en force their decision. It is reported that the grand viz ier hss declared to the sultan that he will never sign the agreement based on the strategic lines pro posed by the ambassadors. At the same time it is thought in some quarters that the attitude of the Turkish government is designed to ; allow the sultan to yield later by sacrificing some of his ministers 1 and rumors of impuding cabinet [changes are already current. JAPAN AND HAWAII. Oriental Government Is Making Secret Prepar= ations For The Fray WHAT WILL AMERICA DO? It Is Said That Unless Ja pan’s Claims Are Fully Met There Will Be Trouble. San Francisco, July 7.—The Japan : Herald, commenting upon the Hawaii- j un situation, editorially says: “The ominous calm which is now j prevailing regarding the Hawaiian ! question is not difficult to interpret and any one who runs may read not with-' standing the secrecy which attends the preparations of the Japanese govern ment for a deseeut upon the Hawaiian islands. That is their aim and unless their claims arc fully met and promises of future good behavior are made re garding the Sandwich islands, we will soon hear that the (lag of Japan has replaced that present shaky republic. “That the Japanese government has a just claim against the Hawaiian re public is beyond question. That the Japanese will press the claim there is not a doubt. Who will take sides with Hawaii? America? What will be the result? “The Japanese population now of the Sandwich islands is about 25,000, saying 18,000 of them are men, and those men are practically soldiers who have been through their conscript term in the army. To send over two or three large transports with the necessary arms, ammunition, held guns, etc., is the easiest thing possible. There are only two harbors worthy of the name in the Sandwich islands—Honolulu and the Hilo—and these and other pos sible landing places would he seized up on by Japan before America could think of moving, by the troops which would be drawn from those who are already there as emigrants.” 305 CAES OF CORN. Shipped From the West And Sold In Rome Since Jan. 1. Western corn is still coming in to Rome by carload after carload. This statement is probably as tonishing to many people who had supposed that on the rich river bottoms of this section pnongh corn was raised to feed Georgia. Over 300 car loads of western corn have been sold in Rome since Jan. Ist by 7 one firm. The firm to which The Tribune refers is H. D. Cothran & Co., the well known and enterprising young brokers. Mr. Cothran checked up his books yesterday afternoon and found that he had sold 305 car loads in Rome since January 1. The average price of this coin was 40c per bushel. With 700 bush, ols in each car the total for 300 cars would be 210,000 bushels. This section then has paid out since Jan. 1, $84,000 for western corn. Some of the corn was brought as far west as Nebraska. Only 14 cents per bushel is paid for the corn loaded on the cars, but the high freight rates make it cost 40 cents per bushel when it arrives here. i Surely there is money for the farmers of North Georgia in rais ing corn. They should certainly raise enough to supply this section at least. Owing to the hot, dry winds parching the fields of Kansas there was a sharp advance in corn yes terday. This certainly makes a very bad showing for this section in having so >arge amount of corn shipped in here. —Rome Tribune. Educate Your Rowels With Cascarets. ' Cathartic, cure constipation forever. w*,2sc. If C. C. C. fail, druggists refund money. wm PP* CTGPO^ tfcVKiHC POWDER Absolutely Pure* Celebrated for its great leavening strength and healthfulncss. Assures ihe food against alum and all forms of adulteration common to the cheap brands. Royal Raking Powder Co. • New York. TO FIGHT AGAIN, Victory Over Greeks His Made Turks Very Confident That They Can Whip the Great Powers. London, July 7. —Graeco-Tur- kish affairs appear to ho re-enter ing an interesting stago. Today tho porte dispatched a circular to its representatives abroad contain ing a skillful defense ot the Tur kish case, and d< dining to consid er any frontier line in Thessaly north of the river Penelos, which it regards as tho natural bounda ry- It appears that the sultan I:lb convinced himself that tho pow ers will not resort to cordon, and has decided to test the alleged con cert of Europe to the utmost. On Wednesday he summoned a coun cil of ministers for an extraordina ry sitting to the yildiz kiosk with the result that after a heated dis cussion a report was drawn up in favor of the resuming of hostili ties if peace should not be conclud ed within a week. Tho minister of war sont cablegrams to Edhem Pasha informing him of the decis ion. This accords with all tho news received for tho last ton days. The Turks are rapidly strengthen ing their positions in Thessaly, massing troops at Dhomoko, forti fying Velestino and in other ways intrenching themselves more firm ly. The Thessalian harvest has been already reaped by tho Turkish soldiers, and large quanities of grain have been stored at Elassona. According to a circumstantial re port of a conversation between the sultan and an officer of his house hold, Abdul Hamid complained that tho war had been forced upon him, and that when he was victo rious Europe refused him either territory or indemnity. Therefore, he intended to resist to the utmost- He said : We have nothing to fear. The six powers failed to coerce Vassos and his 2,000 adventurers. What can they do against 300,00(1 victo rious troops in Roumelia? Edhem was a fool not to have surrounded the Greek army and to have advanced to x\thens, but ho may be there yet. If no concessions are made within a few days, I shall give the order tc advance. We can dictate our own terms from the A cropolis. Everything is ready for immediate action.” According to this report, the sul tan discussed the possibility of Russia and Germany attempting coercion, and declared that he was en tirely ready to meet them both. The foregoing may be perhaps only a bluff; and it is even alleged in some quarters, among others, by the Italian admiral, Canevaro at Crete, that peace is actual .y over. Bui Li is significant that General Smolenski had long conferences with King George and M. Ralli at Athens today, and will start for Thermopylae tomorrow to assume his command of the lirst division. The distress of Greece, the stagna tion of trade and iudustry has become very serious. In Crete there is signs of continued unrest. The Mohammedans of Candir are prepasing to attack the wealthy Chris tian town of Archanes. No. 1!)