Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1853-1853, 1853-08-01
From the Esssl IN, J.) Register.
TERRIFIC HAIL STORM.

On Saturday last, about o'clock, P, NJ, WI
had one Of those heavy showers Of rain which
eau only be described by saying that the clouds
precipiiuted themselves In a mass upon In,
earth. Our streets and roads, for a few min
utss, were converted into rivulcts; and upoi
the subsiding Of the water, deep gullcys appear
ed In all directions. About two hours after
dark and soOwling clouds gathered in Tho West
threatening more disastrous effects and soon In,
storm burst with q fury exceeding the worst on
tloipations. The wind ragged with unwonlet
violence, accompanied with devastating storm
Of hail. The track Of this icy visitation extend
ed over space eight or nine miles In Length, h,
from one TO three miles In width, comprising
more than fifty farmS, and including within III
rango, the villages OF lialOvilc, Pleasant Valley
Wushingtonville, and Lafayette. The first farm
which sustained any considerable damage from
the hail. was that OF the widow Snnble, sluatet
on the northwest extreme Of Newton township
Passing thence in southsasterly direction, i
swept onward TO Lafayette, where Il branehst
of into two distinct tracks, one terminating
at j. M. COxs farm, near Monroe, and the Othel
passing over the flats, Gas they are called, and
only losing itS force when Il reached Pimpl,
Hill, near Sparta.
the size Of peas and hickory nuts 10 the dimen.
sions Of hens eggs, fell thick and fast, and were
assisted in the work VI destruction by the herce
tornado which whirlsd them through the air.
Fences were blown down, trees uprooted, the
growing crops Of corn, oats, buckwhSat &c. were
cut 10 pieces and swept away like ohAG Hun
dredS Of acres Of corn and eats were utterly de.
stroyed. A considerable quantity Of grain out
IN shock was scattered and destroyed, Onu
farmer Robert Lewis, Of Pleasant Vallsy) had
the product Of nearly twenty ncrss exposed
which his hands were just drawing in" when
tho tempest swept 1t TO destruction. His two
teams, struck by the hail stones, took fright and
ran away, breaking the wagons, and injurinR
severely, but not fatally, boy whS was driving,
The horses were unhurt. The window glass
Of every house within the area Of tie storm was
for the most part demolished, many Of the roofs
damaged, and other injuries inflicted. Poultry,
birds, rabbits &C., were killed by tho pitilcss
pelting Of tho haili and, strange and Incredible
rs II may seem, we learn that two cows, eX.
posed TO tho storm, fell victims 10 tho ICY vol
leys which they encountered. Those who were
on the roads or in the field describe the pellnxs
OF tho hail as benumbing and partially siupcry-
ing them; every one, however, that we have
heard Of, quickly sought shelter, having no
desire TO test tho effects at u protraoted thunp.
ing. Some idea Of tho quantity Of hail dis.
charged by the clouds, may be formed from the
fact, that after the storm It lay in the ravincS,
gulleys, and by tho side OF stone fences, ubOut u
loot in depth. In the woods, next day Ut noon,
portions Of large Jumps of hail were found undi,.
solved.
The farmers who were the victims Of this "a.
we're visitation, estimate their loss ut from 1900
to POO, which, with tho damage sustained in
The several villages above mentioned, warrants
US in stating the aggregate loss at from $3.50 900
Ia $4,000.