Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-08-07
AzARIAH HYDE,
J. ;. SPAULDISG,
A. ID. Roe,
&. ". CUSHING,
A. JACkMAN,
Teton, July rs, 1858.
Terrific Hail Storm.
Executive
Committee.

We learn from the Boston journal, that about
3 O'Clock Sunday afternoon, a terrific hail storm.
accompanied at intervals with fearful gusts of
wind, passed over birmingham producing in its
effect upon crops, gardens fruit and shade trees
the most disastrous consequences. The storm
commenced near the boundary line between
Marlboro and birmingham, and passed over
the latter town in a notheaSterlv direction COW
ering in extent district about three quarters
of a mile wide and three miles long. The first
indication of its approach was n long continuous
rumbling sound of thunder, in two dark clouds
which seemed to meet in traversing opposite
currents of air. Presently the rain began to de-
scend, and very quickly most furious storm of
hail set in-stones of the size of pigeons eggs
falling in great profuson. 1t lasted about three
quarters of an hour, though the severity of the
storm did not continue much over half an hour.
Yet in this short period, pathway, as from the
passage of some devouring element, was cut
through the town and as far as Sherburne
Fields of corn and vegetables lying in its pro-
gress, were completely desolated and gardens
laid waste, as if they had been invaded by
band of marauders One farmer estimates his
loss at 5000, and others say that the results of
their entire labor for the year have been COM
pletcly lost. The leaves of the corn appear as
if stripped with whip, and only the bare stalk
III Niipit itluS ftliluilS tTttt IOl1tO vines are
beaten into the ground. The foliage was stripp-
ed from shade and fruit trees, and the fruit,
bruised and pelted by the hail, lies scattered on
the ground. The grass about the base of the
trees is nearly covered with leaves, and one house
looks as if it had received a coat of fresh green
paint, the storm has peltedit with green leaves,
which still adhere to its front
In the passage of the Storm thirty panes of
glass were broken in a small house in Framing
ham village, and other houses were shaken to
their foundations Hours after the storm had
abated, hail stones the size of walnuts were gath
cred, and on Monday morningthere were heaps
OF congealed hail, containing several bushels
Our informant exhibited to us this morning a
specimen of the hail stones, which were about
the size ofmarbles, although they fell some oigh-
teen hours previously. He also brought in an
apple which was reduced nearly to pumce bv
the hail. On Sunday, at about four o'clock u.
NJ, they were visited at Attleboro with Sc
we're hail storm, which continued to shower hail
stones about the size ofrobins' eggs for some ten
minutes, doing great damage to vegetation.-
The corn leaves are riddled into strings and more
or less of the stalks are broken; the vines are
completely demolished fields of ungathered
grain are leyelled with the earth skylights and
windows on the Northerly side of buildings look
painful, though many of them are pdneiesS.-
The hail was accompanied by very heavy rain.
Such hail storm was never witnessed before
by the oldest inhabitants.
At Franklin, Norfolk county, the hail storm
was quite severe, and great damage was done
to the crops, the hail being in some places four
inches deep upon the ground. One drift was
seven and half inches deep and stones were
picked up as large as pulletts eggs. Acres of
corn, buckwheat, &C., were cut into shreds, and
will not be fit for ANYTHING except fodder; and
vines of all kinds were cut off close to the ground.
In Lunenburg says the Clinton Coma,,t, sew
eral grain fields were leveled as if passed over
by the roller, while whole crops of corn were
cut down beyond hope. The hail passed in
line of less than half mile in width, and spec
linens were picked up as large as hens egg.
Report says the Shirley Shakers were damaged
to the amount of tc0 thousand dollars. In
Lancaster, some of the farmers, also, had their
growing crop so damaged as to be obliged to
cut it down for fodder.