Buffalo County, Nebraska - Chapter 32: The Grasshopper Plague Grasshoppers Destroy Crops in 1860 - the Raid of, 1916

Chapter 32: The Grasshopper Plague Grasshoppers Destroy Crops in 1860 - the Raid of

In the Huntsman's Echo, pubHshed at Wood River Center (now Shelton), mention is made that migrating grasshoppers destroyed crops for settlers along Wood River in the year i860. The grasshopper raid with which, the colonists had to contend came first late in July, 1874. The small crops of wheat and oats then raised had just been harvested. On a bright sunny day, late in July, about 2 P. M., an unusual sight appeared on the bluffs north of Wood River, having much the appearance of an April snow storm, with large flakes. Soon it was noticed that the sun had a hazy appearance and suddenly grasshoppers by the millions covered the ground. Corn was the principal crop grown by the colonists, because it required little expense for seed, little labor in cultivating the crop, and promised quick returns. The hoppers gathered in the corn fields till the stalks bent to the ground beneath them and the sound of their feasting was like unto a herd of cattle in a corn field. In a few hours' time that afternoon the hoppers destroyed all cultivated plants in fields and gardens. In the corn fields just the bare stalks were left.

The destruction of native grasses and plants and of leaves on native trees was not noticeable, but the destruction of cultivated plants and cultivated trees and shrubs was complete. These hoppers came from the north, remained over night and about noon the next day disappeared towards the south as suddenly and mysteriously as they came.

The corn crop and all gardens were unusually promising that year and their sudden destruction caused great privation among the colonists, most of whom were without means and dependent upon the growing crops for means of living. Had it not been that kind hearted and generous people in eastern states sent food and clothing to the grasshopper sufferers most of the settlers must have left the country.

These hoppers which came in the year 1874 laid no eggs, but in August, 1875, there came a hopper raid from the south. Many believed these were descendants of the 1874 hoppers, hatched farther south and returning to the home of their parents. When the hoppers came in 1875 the ears of corn had formed and there was about an inch of kernels on the butt of the ears. The hoppers destroyed the silk on the ears, thus preventing further fertilization of the corn. The leaves of the corn were only partially destroyed by the hoppers and farmers had ears of corn to harvest with about an inch of kernels on the butts. These hoppers were most industrious in laying eggs in the traveled roads and wherever the ground had been tramped by herds of cattle. These eggs hatched in April, 1876, and in May the ground was literally alive with young hoppers, who soon began to assemble on the growing crops of wheat and oats. Late in May came a three days' storm, rain and snow, and to the joy of the colonists the young hoppers perished.

Hoppers Destroy Onions

Aside from the destruction of the corn crop by hoppers in 1874, many colonists suffered a grievous loss of their onion crop, for the hoppers not only ate the onions greedily but dug holes to get the last morsel of the roots of the onions. Onions from "black seed" had been found to be a profitable crop, notwithstanding the large expense of the seed. The onions grew best on sod breaking, and as there were no weeds in those early days there was little labor in making the crop. Such onions grew to good size and sold readily for $1 a bushel. It is recalled that A. J. Snowdon of Centre Township grew and marketed 1,500 bushels of such onions one season, selling them for $1 per bushel.

Early potatoes made a fair crop in the year 1874, although the hoppers destroyed all the tops. Such potatoes were good eating but did not keep well during the winter.