The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1854-08-29

LIenTN1Ne.-Within circle Of few miles
precedented number of instances in which light.
ming has discharged itself upon the earth, rend.
ing trees, killing stock, and occasionally doing
damage to houses. But one instance has oc-
CURED, however, in which human life has been
destroyed in this way, and that has been alrea.
dy noticed. We heard the other day Of gen
tleman going out to look for several missing
COWS, and found them all dead under tree,
which had been manifestly struck by lightning.
Recently we heard Of a very singular freak Of
the electric fluid, which killed on the spot, ter
hogs for Capt. ]. D. McFaddin, under the fol.
lowing circumstances. They were passing along
erable distance from each other, eight of the
number being within thirty yards of the tree
upon which the fluid descended, another was
at about the distance Of forty yards, and the
last, at least seventy yards eff and in path
making from the one in which the others had
fallen. This seems to have been done by one
discharge, the fluid choosing to pursue the earth,
rather than enter the ground, and to defect
from The original path which it had taken.
We have often seen small spots Of growing
crops killed by lightning, but we never before
heard of half an acre destroyed, which we have
been informed upon undoubted authority, is
the fact on the plantation of Mr.. ]. Fl. Mont
gomery, few miles below this place. A
stream of electricity, a few days since, fell
upon one of his cotton fields and destroyed at
least half an acre Of the weed, as above stated,
Another gentleman had a horse and mule
killed in his stables, the lightning striking
tree first a little distance off. In our town. we
have been informed, chicken was killed by
the fluid just below the door of house, the
house itself being untouched and without con.
ddctors.
We record these things as matters Of inter.
est to US all, and in order that facts may be laid
before the public in regard to a subtle and Of
ten destructive fluid, whose habitudes $50 to
speak) are still in some respects involved in
mystery. Sumter Banner.
~ -
RA1LRoAp ACROSS FLORIDA. The Jackson.
vile News says that the Company having this
important work in charge have already made
arrangements which insure the construction Of
| the Southern Fork Of the Road terminating Ell.
ther at Tampa or Charlotte Harbor.
The News thinks that until a full survey has
| been made of these harbors, and Of the routes
leading to them, the choice cannot be settled
but the Superintendent of the Coast Survey,
promptly acceeded to the request ofthe Com.
pany, to cause. reconnoissances, to, be made,
and that it will be executed ut an early day. =.
A Civil Engineer 10 the employ ofthe Com.
/ pany has been for some time past, engaged in
general examination of the shores and wa.
ters Of Tampa. 8 >;S} 2at' !,
The cholera hns made it's appearance at Elizabeth
City, N G. Five deaths have occurred in one family,
and eight deaths in all. No nav cases since Friday
last y, 55a,
New Ave franc pieces viii soon be put ip circulation
bearing the head of Napoleon Ill., and on the reverse
mEmpire Francaia" They will also bear the imperial
crown and mantle, an eagle with spread wings, and
tha hand justice Of Charlemagne, with "Dieu pro-
tege la France