The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-06-16
DESTRUCTIVE STORM.

Last Wednesday afternoon, about d
O'Clock, a destructive and heavy storm of
wind and rain passed over this place, ac-
companied by quick and sharp peals of
thunder and lightning. The storm lasted
only few minutes. but in that short time
the damage done tn property was consider
able. There were no lives lost, although
we have heard of some very narrow escapes.
Below we enumerate the property injured
as far as we have heard:
The tops of the chimneys on the Court
House were blown off. and the roof of the
building greatly damaged.
Brawley's three STORY brick building. op-
posite the Charlotte Hotel, had one Chin
ney thrown down together with a portion
of the parapet wall; the whole mass falling
on the roof and crushing through two floors.
There were several persons in the pstairs
of the building at the time, and strange to
say no one was injured, although the brick
and plastering fell all around their heads.
Two gentlemen who were on the pavement
in front narrowly escaped the falling wall.
In the rear of the above, the chimney of a
dwelling house was thrown down and other
damage done to the building.
Tue Charlotte Hotel (Maj. Kerr's} sus-
tanned u loss Of the top of one chimney,
which fell upon the roof without breaking
through.
A portion of the roof of Springs Steam
Mill was torn off and carried fifty yards,
passing directly over "a dwelling house that
stood near by. The damage to the build
ing is said to be serious.
Mr. Joshua Trotter's carriage shop was
blown down, and seven or eight new buggieS
and other vehicles considerably damaged.
The building is complete wreck. 1t was
built of brick, but the walls were quite thin.
A wooden building adjoining remained un-
injured, with slight exceptions. The bug
ges were the property of Mr. John Harry.
The Grave Yard wall and several beauti
ful Monuments were greatly damaged by
two large oak trees falling ON them.
The Liberty Pole, which stood in Public
Square, was thrown down and broken in
several pieces.
The Drug Store of DIR. Pritchard sustain
ed loss of the top of one chimney, and
a few panes of glass
At the n. C. Railroad Depot the wind
blew a passenger coach from under the
shed and threw it off the track; and imme-
diately after the shed was blown down.
The stable of Mr. Howell was overturned.
There were two negroes i'll it at the time, but
both escaped uninjured.
Buggies and carriages that were left
standing out were blown about by the wind
and injured by way of broken shafts, &c.
We noticed several shade trees that were
cap>ized, fences down, &c.
The scene was terrific; and to add to the
alarm, amid the flashing lightning and
bowling thunder, the cry of fire was raised,
which caused many to vacate their houses
and take the open streets. But fortunate
~ no fire occurred.
1t is not certainly known that the light
ming struck any building, although many
suppose that it did. From what We could
see and learn we incline to the opinion that
it did not strike anywhere in town. Eye
witnesses inf, rm us that the lightning could
be seen playing up and down the railroad
track while the cloud was lowering over
head.
The barn of DIR. Jones, in the neighbor-
hood, was blown down, and the overseer
wounded. Horses and mules that were in
the building at the time escaped without
injury.
We have not learned how far the hurri-
cane extended into the country. but do not
think it did much harm outside of town.
The fury of the storm appears TO have
spent itself over this place and immediate
vicinity.