Weather rambling — Sept. 1894

Drought conditions continuing in September 1894 had myriad ramifications.

“It is about the driest here now we ever saw it, and if it holds this weather much longer, we will have to employ a rainmaker,” the South Hartford correspondent reported in The Granville Sentinel on Sept. 7.

“The past few weeks dry weather has affected the usual abundant supply of pure water in the wells around town,” The Granville Sentinel reported on Sept. 7. “A gentleman who has been a resident of Salem

The tuber crop around Glens Falls had grit to withstand the Mother Nature’s torture.

“Notwithstanding the drought and short crop, Glens Falls appears to be favored in regard to potatoes,” The Morning Star of Glens Falls reported on Sept. 1, 1894.

Corn was not as bountiful.

“Farmers are cutting corn. The Crop is somewhat impaired by the drouth,” the West Mountain correspondent reported in The Morning Star on Sept. 8.

“A gentleman who has been a resident of Salem many years recently remarked that the present low condition of the wells is due partly to the fact that the creek, which runs through the central part of this village, is gradually wearing away its course, the bed of the creek being fully two feet lower than it was twenty years ago,” The Morning Star reported on Sept. 8.

“Old rivermen say they have never seen the Hudson River so low as at present. In some places below the falls, it is hardly ankle deep,” The Morning Star reported on Sept. 10. “Lake George also is very low. Even the small steam yachts find difficulty in making some of the landings. The graphite mills at Hague are closed on account of low water, and the manufacturers at Ticonderoga are much inconvenienced.”

Rain came at last.

“The long-looked-for and much-needed rain came on Monday, which has added much to the appearance of everything not already dried up and dead,” the Truthville correspondent reported in The Granville Sentinel on Sept. 14.

“The first heavy rainstorm for months occurred on Monday, when it poured,” the Shushan correspondent reported.

“The rainstorm yesterday was heartily welcomed,” The Morning Star reported on Sept. 11. “The rain is a Godsend for some crops. It will help the late potatoes and garden truck, but it’s too late to help the corn. That’s beyond help.”

Rain continued.

“Yesterday’s rain caused a suspension of operations on the water works contract in the afternoon,” The Morning Star reported on Sept. 20. “Work on the streets also had to be suspended.”

It was a brief passing of fog which few but the night toilers at The Morning Star offices witnessed.

“A fog so thick that objects 100 feet away could not be discerned enveloped Glens Falls at half-past two o’clock this morning,” The Morning Star reported on Sept. 22. “Fifteen minutes later this fog lifted, and the moon shone brightly.”

Summer weather continued.

“The mosquitoes have not left town yet. — Eighty degrees in the shade yesterday,” the Fort Edward correspondent reported in The Morning Star on Sept. 22.

Then came the wind.

“The wind played havoc with telephone, telegraph and electric light wires yesterday. Those who attempted to talk by telephone last night heard a mumbling sound over the crossed wires that was suggestive of a connection with an electric car or steam train in motion,” The Morning Star reported on Sept. 24.

“The long drouth was broken by showers last Wednesday and Thursday, and the following days were veritable July ones — but muggy and the humidity almost intolerable,” The Granville Sentinel reported on Sept. 28. “For the first time in weeks vegetation has a green appearance.”

The first frost of the season at West Mountain was on Sept. 25.

In other September weather news collected from historic newspapers of the region:

1883

“The rain fall of Monday night was very heavy in this locality. A citizen of this village (Glens Falls) who set out an empty pail at 7 o’clock Monday evening, next morning, found the fall to have been one and three-eighths inches,” The Glens Falls Messenger reported on Sept. 28.

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