TROPICAL TEMPERATURE.
The Fervent Heat Seems to Gather Strength With Each Succeeding Day.
CENTURY MARK AGAIN LEFT BEHIND.
Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Indiana and Ohio Appear to Be Covered by the Hot Blanket—Deaths and Prostrations Numerous.
St. Louis, July 23.—Monday will go on record as the hottest day in St. Louis up to date.
At 11 o’clock the mercury stood at 102 degrees on top of the federal building, and was climbing at the rate of two degrees an hour.
At noon it registered 105 degrees and gradually climbed to 107 by the official thermometer, while street readings showed as high as 110.
The heat belt covers a radius around St. Louis of 100 miles. St. Louis is almost the central point.
About three o’clock in the afternoon St. Louisans experiences a veritable hot wave, lasting several minutes. It seemed as though the doors of the nether regions had been thrown open and a hot blast emitted that seemed to almost blister everything it came in contact with. As on Sunday, night brought little relief and sleep was almost out of the question. The protracted hot spell is having a depressing effect, and much illness, especially among the aged, is resulting.
AT KANSAS CITY.
The Hottest Weather Ever Known—Nine Fatalities Reported.
Kansas City, Mo., July 23.—A veritable hot blast literally scorched this city Monday, breaking all heat records in the history of the local weather bureau. Sunday, Kansas Cityans experienced the hottest weather ever known here, the government thermometer reaching 104 and remaining above the 100 mark for seven consecutive hours. Two dozen prostrations, nine fatally, was the result. Monday, at 3:30 o’clock the bureau thermometer at the highest point in the city showed 106 degrees, while thermometers in the business district on the streets reached as high as 128. The thermometer at 8 a.m., registered 90, was 101 at noon, and at 3 p.m. broke the record at 104.6. Hardly a breath of air stirred. The suffering was intense, especially among persons compelled to work out doors and in the poor districts in the bottoms. Seven deaths from prostrations were reported during the day in Kansas City, Mo., and Kansas City, Kas., and over thirty people, overcome by the heat, were treated. This makes a total dead for the two days of 16. Most of the victims were elderly people.
The highest previous temperature in history of the Kansas city weather bureau was 103, in August, 1896, but it only remained near that point for one day. Monday was the thirty-second in succession on which the temperature has averaged above 90 degrees, and the fifteenth in that time that the thermometer has gone above 100.
Two Deaths at Sedalia.
Sedalia, Mo., July 23.—There have been two deaths from the heat here. The government record of temperature, Monday, showed 106 degrees.
A Corker at the Capital.
Jefferson City, Mo., July 23.—Monday was equal to last Friday as the hottest day of the season, the government thermometer standing at 114.
HOT TIMES IN IOWA.
Des Moines Has the Highest Temperature in Its History.
Des Moines, Ia., July 23.—The government thermometer registered 109 degrees here at 3:30 Monday afternoon, the highest official record in the history of Des Moines. Two deaths from the heat and numerous prostrations were reported.
According to reports to Director Sage, of the crop bureau, and to local grain men, the past few days have been disastrous to Iowa corn, except in localities which have had rain recently.
108 at Keokuk.
Keokuk, Ia., July 23.—The weather bureau recorded 108 degrees of heat here Monday, it being the sixth day of temperatures above 100 and the thirty-second of above 90. All reports indicate that corn is being seriously damaged.
At Sioux City.
Sioux City, Ia., July 23.—The maximum temperature here, Monday, was 105, three degrees below Sunday’s maximum.
SCORCHING IN KANSAS.
Three Deaths and Ten Prostrations Reported at Topeka.
Topeka, Kas., July 23.—Three deaths and ten prostrations form Monday’s record of the heat in Topeka. The thermometer registered 106 as its maximum. It has been three degrees higher during the heated season, but the humid air made the day the most oppressive of the year. Most of the active work was stopped for the day. The Kansas river is very low, but the supply of water in the city mains is as yet plentiful.
At Lawrence, the state university reported the heat record for Kansas again broken, with the mercury at 106.5 degrees, the highest in 34 years.
At Leavenworth.
Leavenworth, Kas., July 23.—At Fort Leavenworth, Monday, the weather bureau thermometer registered 108 degrees, as against 106¼ on Sunday. Capt. R. H. Allen, post adjutant, was prostrated by the heat, while at his desk in the afternoon, and taken to his home. Five other prostrations were reported.
No Signs of Abatement.
Sylvan Grove, Kas., July 23.—The heat, Sunday, was the most terrific of the season. The thermometer registered and maintained 111 from ten until four o’clock. Monday morning at eight o’clock it registered 102. The drought still continues, with no signs of abatement.
UNCOMFORTABLE AT OMAHA.
Eight Deaths and Four Prostrations the Day’s Record.
Omaha, Neb., July 23.—The weather conditions, Monday, continued of the most uncomfortable nature. The temperature at 7 a.m. registered 83 and at noon the 100 mark was reached with 104 at 4 p.m., only eight-tenths of a degree below Sunday’s high record of the day. At 5 p.m. a refreshing breeze came up and afforded some slight measure of relief.
ALL RECORDS BROKEN.
Springfield, Ill., Showed 107, the Highest Ever Recorded There.
Springfield, Ill., July 23.—All heat records in Springfield were broken, Monday, when, for three hours, the mercury in the government thermometer stood at 107, the highest ever recorded. Thermometers on the street level registered as high as 110 in the shade. There were several prostrations. Director Guthrie of the local weather bureau states that reports from all over the state indicate that the corn is withstanding the heat and drought remarkably well.
INDIANA CATCHING IT.
Indianapolis Has the Hottest Day on Record There.
Indianapolis, Ind., July 23.—Monday was the hottest day on record in Indianapolis. The official record was 106 at two o’clock in the afternoon. At the same hour thermometers along the business streets recorded 110 and 112. There were two deaths and three prostrations from heat.
At the camp of the Indiana national guard all drills were suspended. Sixty men were overcome during the day, but all rapidly recovered, with the exception of seven, who are in the brigade hospital. Many animals were stricken, and livery men are refusing to hire horses.
All Previous Records Eclipsed.
Cincinnati, July 23.—All previous heat records here were eclipsed, Monday, when the official government thermometer at the office of the local weather bureau reached 106 degrees at 2:30 in the afternoon, and remained there for about an hour. Fortunately the humidity at that time registered only 25, and there were but few prostrations.