Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 July 1901 — GOTHAM GASPS AT III. [ARTICLE]

GOTHAM GASPS AT III.

Terrific Heat at New York Leaves Trail of Death. New York was liks a fiery furnace Monday. A brazen sun poured scorching rays upon the great city, brought death and desolation and almost succeeded in paralyzing commerce and industry. Only three times in the thirty-one years that the United States government has kept a record has the official thermometer gone higher than it did Monday. The government observatory, on the top of one of the highest buildings In the city, with nothing to obstruct any breath of air that stirs, sweltered in the afternoon with the thermometer at 98 degrees, while on the street the mercury marked 111 degrees. Twice in former Julys the official temperature has been higher—on July 9, 1876, and on July 3, 1898—when it wan 90 degrees. The only occasion when the 100 degree mark has been reached was in September, 1881. Ninety-four persons died from the effects of the heat, and the ambnlance service proved inadequate to remove all who were prostrated in the streets. The deaths reported do not nearly represent all lives sacrificed by the sun, as very many deaths are attributed' to other causes, though the heat is really responsible. Of the persons prostrated many are beyond the hope of recovery, while others will suffer from the effect for years. The effect upon business was more serious than the usual panic, and sales In many of the large establishments fell fully 50 per cent below the normal fig. urea for this season of the year. The ice men alone prospered. Dispatches show prostrations and deaths from the heat in other cities Monday an follows: Pros. Deaths, tratlons. St. Louts 8 eo Washington '....$ 50 Boston $ 100 CleveJafl 8 18 Pittsbutg 18 40 Philadelphia 14 100 Baltimore 14 2S