New Orleans daily crescent., 1866-06-06

business of the line went on az usual. On Satqr-
day the superintendent OF the line chartered the
steamer Fanny Gilbert, and after hard day
work, succeeded in undermining the cable ana
laying it anew. 1t is now securely fastened at
both ends, and the steamboat which runs atoul Of
it will be apt to get the worst of it.
METEomc ExPLosroN.-Two credible and intel
ligent gentlemen, few days ago, while riding
along the road short distance from this place,
witnessed the following occurrence during the
daytime: rain was coming up, preceded by
slight sprinking, when at a short distance ahead
they saw large bail of fire descend slowly from
the clouds and affX itself 10 the trunk Of tail
dead pine, at the height of a few feet from tae
ground. Both called to each other simultaneously
to notice the strange object, which, to use thelT
own words !" "blazed up where It stood me Sc a can can
dlen It so continued for few seconds, when
it suddenly exploded with tremendous uetOha
ton, tearing the tree into a thousand spAnters
andLsetting fire to the portion OF the stump mat
remained. considerable area was llied win
falling foliage and fragments scattered in every
direction Immediately upon the explosion, a
streak Of fire was seen shooting on horizontally
from the tree, following the surface OF the ground
passing within fifty or sixty feet of them, and Of
the character of a stream Of tightening as often
seen descending from the clouds when it strikes.
The sight was terrific in the extreme. The phe-
nomenon unusual and startling. The air became
strongly impregnated with pungent, sulphurous
shreveport Southwestern.
! WEST BATON RoUGE-The Sugar Planter Of the
% says:
A heavy gale of wind visited as on Monday
evening about 4 o'clock which did little damage
in the way of blowing down trees, fences, young
| corn, etc. few light buildings and some chin
ney tops experienced tumble, but we have heard
of nothing serious.
The heavy rains for the past week have been a
source Of great complaint with our planters
They have proved greatly injurious to the cotton,
ane we have heard some prophesy almost total
failure in parts of the parish Certainly, with the
| extensive water privileges We have just now, we
could well dispense with the showers which have
been recently poured upon us. As We 60 to press
the clouds LOOK as if they had not half emptied
their contents.-[Sugar Planter.
EAST FELICIANA-On Monday evening last, our
town, and as far as we can learn the entire parish,
was visited by one Of the strongest blows we have
had for many years. In several part Of town trees
were blown down, and fences and garden stuff de-
moshed. The country appears, from all accounts,
To have suffered more severely. In several locali-
ties we hear of large number Of trees being
blown down. outhouses swept of, and corn of large
growth broken off and completely ruined. The
cotton was also seriously damaged. Since We'd
nesday we have had two heavy rains, and Friday
the clouds were gathering for another weeping
spell Altogether it has been week Of discour-
agement to the planting community. Planters are
looking decidedly down, and many tell their ex-
pectations of anything like good crop are poor
indeed,-TClinton Patriot.