Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-08-24
TAnny TowN,(N. W August 10.

Yesterday morning this village and its vicin-
ity were visited with one of the most violent
storms, during ITS continuance which has been
witnessed here for many years. About half an
hour after sun rise the Tappan sea- to an obser-
yer from the shore, presented spectacle of the
most terrific sublimity. The whole southwest
ern arch, for at least 90 degrees exhibited a
dense black cloud, which flied The spectators
with the most appalling sensations. About
qnartei before SIX IT began TO float The wind for
eight or ten minutes blowing an irresistible hur-
ricane. The electric fluid was discharged upon
several places at distance from each other.
with uncomfortable rapiity. About two and a
halt miles south of the village, il struck dwell
ling house, and while the family escaped uDin-
Jured, II shiyered cumbrous articles oil furniture
to pieces, and tore chairs ana lighter articles in
TO mere blllets of wood; its fury was finally ex
pended upon the stone wall in the cellar through
winch 1t made complete aperture. In another
ouse not lar distant, lady was struck
oy tne lShtninS, 3. ng time continued
IN complete paraiy ST.; sac is however recover
ing. Near the wharf at Tarry Town, within Q
or minutes of the former Shocks the lightning
passed by a lumber house and completely stripp-
ed oil one OF the gable ends, but with no further
! injury. 2 a course east and northeast
two or th-ee minutes before six O'Clock, the
electric discharge burst upon the barn OF Gorge
Comb, J.. He'd with rye, flax and hav, and
within tive minutes the whole building and its
contents were in solid column of fire. The
flashes OF lightning and thepeals of thunder were
so terrifying, that gentleman about half a
| mule distant, who saw the fire communicate to
| the barn, was obliged to return into his house:
and, although not absent more than n minute
when he opened his door the fire from the roof
OF the barn was distinctly visible. AT this ne
Rod the rain descended in almost n co,npacf
sheet, and although the persons who ran fo Mr.
Combs assistance, to save his dwelling house
for the safety of which there was great fear
were drenched in halfa minute to the skin. the
water only seemed to add energy to tue fire;
and within 20 minutes, some burning brands
and pile of ignited ashes only remained of
nearly the whole of Mr.. Combs harvest.
Nearly at the same moment, another current
OF the storm passed up Sleepy Hollow, and
struck the habitation of Lewis Garlic and in
Jured young man, but not, il is hoped beyond
recoyery.--No fact is more completely illustra-
tive oftlie benefit attached to the iron conduc-
tors, than circumstance which occurred at
this house. About hundred yards from Mr.
Carries residence is a flour and sawtnijl in
which is wheel connected with the dairy TO
churn butter; along the wood work which NOV
ed the cburn was a rod of wire, through which
MIR. Carries dwelling was no doubt saved from
utter destruction, for the electiC fluid after it
had FIRST struck the house, attracted by this rod
ran entirely along it, until il was lost in the va
cuum at the end of the wire, and its power d.
minshed by the torrent of rain TO which il was
exposed
A gentleman who sat and watched the storm.
and close by whose habtation, at the same time
several large fruit trees were perfectly rooted
up, remarked, that for 10 or IL minutes, at the
period when the events already related happen
ed, during the last 80 years, be did not rccolect
either such flood of water, fury ofwind, vivid
ness of lightning, or roaring of thunder--but it
was of short continuance. Some idea may be
formed of the density of the atmosphere, from
the fact, that an hour after sunrise, for a few
minutes, the light was little more brilliant than
a clear mornings gray dawn, except as the
"obscure profound" was illuminated for mo-
ment by corfuscatisDs equally splendid and fear
fax american